UK leadership in antimicrobial discovery and development
Think tank: Institute of Development Studies
Author(s): Various authors
November 6, 2025
This report from UK think tank the Institute of Development Studies explores UK leadership in antimicrobial discovery and development.
The threat of infectious diseases that resist treatment with available antimicrobials is growing.
Nearly a decade after the O’Neill Review on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) called for systemic reform of antimicrobial research and development (R&D), the UK has helped catalyse real progress, including the world’s first antimicrobial subscription model. Despite these efforts, the number of people engaged in the development of new drugs has decreased and few new products have been discovered and become available.
The UK Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance 2024-29 commits the government to continue its leadership in addressing this major global challenge. This can include a central role in supporting antimicrobial R&D through its focus on science and technology innovation as drivers of economic growth and international development. This will require a system-level approach to antimicrobial discovery with new kinds of collaboration between government and leading scientists in the public and private sectors.
