International partnerships for low-cost antimicrobial discovery and development
Think tank: Institute of Development Studies
Author(s): Gerald Bloom; Christopher Dowson; David McKinney; Priya Balasubramaniam
November 7, 2025
This report from UK think tank the Institute of Development Studies states that a systematic and implementable approach is required at national and cross-national levels.
Ten years ago, the O’Neill Review on Antimicrobial Resistance called for a major effort to discover and develop new antimicrobials. It outlined a strategy for achieving this through a combination of “push” and “pull” incentives and, importantly, measures to reduce the cost of antimicrobial development. The UK has played an important role in mobilising a global effort to implement this strategy. A lot of progress has been made, but the current situation does not match the expressed ambition.
Recent developments in the science and technology capabilities of several middle-income countries and their pharmaceutical sectors, including in research and development, are creating new opportunities for implementing a strategy that could enable sustainable and affordable antimicrobial discovery, development and manufacturing. This would entail new kinds of international partnership based on the principle of shared commitment to contribute to a global public good but with differentiated responsibilities.
The UK is well-placed to continue its catalytic role within international leadership, but a more systematic and implementable approach is required at national and cross-national levels.
