Geneva, September 19, 2024 – A significant financial injection of just over EUR 60 million, equivalent to approximately USD 66 million based on current exchange rates, has been pledged to the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership (GARDP). This crucial funding, announced by ten public and private donors, aims to accelerate the research and development (R&D) of new treatments for drug-resistant infections. These investments will not only drive innovation but also ensure that these life-saving antibiotics reach the people who need them most, particularly in underserved communities worldwide. The announcement arrives at a critical juncture, just one week before the UN High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in New York City on September 26th, during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.
This substantial commitment of EUR 60 million to USD 66 million represents a major step forward in addressing the growing global threat of AMR. Dr. Manica Balasegaram, Executive Director of GARDP, expressed his gratitude, stating, “We are grateful for these unprecedented donor commitments. They are an endorsement of GARDP’s cost-effective and innovative approach to tackling the AMR crisis.” He further emphasized the timely nature of this funding, “On the cusp of the UN High Level Meeting on AMR, these commitments allow us to ramp up urgently needed research and development and expand our ambitions on better ensuring access to life-saving antibiotics.” The conversion of EUR 60 million to USD 66 million underscores the international scale and financial magnitude required to combat this global health challenge effectively.
The newly secured EUR 60 million to USD 66 million will be instrumental in supporting GARDP’s strategic initiatives. These initiatives are primarily focused on expediting the development of novel antibiotics that are effective against pathogens identified as high priority by the World Health Organization (WHO). A key aspect of GARDP’s strategy is to guarantee access to these treatments for populations in need, with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where the burden of AMR is most severe.
Antimicrobial resistance is now recognized as a leading global health threat, contributing significantly to mortality worldwide. Alarmingly, approximately 80% of deaths attributed to AMR occur in LMICs, with Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia disproportionately affected. Paradoxically, more individuals are losing their lives due to lack of access to antibiotics than from the drug-resistant infections themselves. This highlights a critical gap in healthcare systems globally, where essential medicines are not reaching those who desperately require them. The EUR 60 million to USD 66 million funding aims to bridge this access gap by supporting the development and distribution of new and existing antibiotics.
Recent findings from the Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM) study, published in The Lancet, paint a stark picture of the future. The study predicts a staggering 70% increase in AMR mortality by 2050 compared to 2022. However, the GRAM study also offers a solution: improved access to effective antibiotics, especially in LMICs, is identified as the most impactful intervention. Enhanced global access to antibiotics, facilitated by initiatives like GARDP’s, supported by the EUR 60 million to USD 66 million investment, has the potential to avert over 50 million deaths by 2050.
A notable development within this funding round is the inclusion of GSK as a new funder, marking a significant milestone for GARDP’s public-private partnership model. GSK, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, is committing EUR 4.5 million (part of the total EUR 60 million to USD 66 million) to support GARDP’s integrated R&D and access framework. This funding will specifically target ensuring the accessibility of safe, effective, and affordable antibiotics suitable for resource-limited settings with high AMR prevalence.
Emma Walmsley, CEO of GSK, emphasized the shared vision, stating, “GSK and GARDP share a common vision of improving equitable responsible access to medicines for people living in lower-income countries. Building on GSK’s long-standing commitment to tackling AMR and track record to improve access to vaccines and medicines, this work will concentrate on fostering a much needed, robust AMR access approach at global, regional and national levels.” The involvement of GSK, alongside the EUR 60 million to USD 66 million from other donors, strengthens the collaborative effort to combat AMR.
In total, the EUR 60.8 million (approximately USD 66 million) commitment comes from six governments, the European Union, GSK, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the South African Medical Research Council. Government funders include Germany, Japan, Monaco, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, demonstrating a broad international coalition dedicated to addressing AMR.
Dame Sally Davies, UK Special Envoy for AMR, highlighted the importance of global collaboration, stating, “We are at a pivotal moment in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance, and international collaboration is more important than ever. The UK is proud to continue this partnership with GARDP, driving life-saving innovations such as the first new antibiotic for drug-resistant gonorrhoea in over 30 years. We remain committed to working with GARDP to ensure that these vital treatments reach those who need them most around the world.” The UK’s continued support, contributing to the overall EUR 60 million to USD 66 million, underscores the sustained commitment needed to tackle AMR.
Germany, through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and KfW Development Bank, is contributing EUR 11 million as part of the EUR 60 million to USD 66 million total. This funding will specifically support GARDP’s efforts to accelerate access to new treatments for sexually transmitted infections, serious bacterial infections, and sepsis. This new pledge elevates Germany to GARDP’s largest funder, with a total contribution of EUR 127.8 million.
The European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) has pledged EUR 20 million, a significant portion of the EUR 60 million to USD 66 million, to facilitate collaboration between GARDP and WHO on gonorrhea. This funding will provide crucial support for the preclinical and clinical development of new gonorrhea treatments, while also ensuring sustainable access, affordability, and responsible use.
Laurent Muschel, Head of HERA, emphasized the urgency, “Threats resulting from antimicrobial resistance pose one of the greatest risks to human health. Unfortunately, there is a clear lack of investment in the required new antibiotics. In the run up to UNGA, we are proud to collaborate with GARDP and WHO with a commitment of €20 million to support the development of such innovative antibiotics. This is one of the top priorities of HERA to make medical countermeasures available against the global threat of AMR.” HERA’s contribution, as part of the EUR 60 million to USD 66 million, highlights the EU’s commitment to addressing AMR as a critical health emergency.
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The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, already a supporter of GARDP’s work on neonatal sepsis, is providing USD 7.4 million in new funding, contributing to the overall EUR 60 million to USD 66 million raised. This new funding will support further research aimed at reducing neonatal mortality from AMR in LMICs. Specifically, it will enable GARDP’s planned large-scale trial (NeoSep1) to evaluate antibiotic treatments for neonatal sepsis in these regions.
Trevor Mundel, President of Global Health at the Gates Foundation, highlighted the disproportionate impact of AMR, “The growing threat of AMR continues to disproportionately impact the world’s most vulnerable—especially newborn infants in low- and middle-income countries. This innovative trial will help generate the evidence needed to improve and expand access to high-quality treatment options for neonatal sepsis, a leading cause of neonatal mortality.” The Gates Foundation’s continued investment, part of the collective EUR 60 million to USD 66 million, underscores the focus on vulnerable populations in the fight against AMR.
GARDP’s innovative model, driven by public health needs, prioritizes efficiency and cost-effectiveness in antibiotic drug development. By integrating R&D and access strategies, negotiating collaborations, and fostering partnerships between public and private sectors, GARDP aims to maximize the impact of the EUR 60 million to USD 66 million funding. Looking ahead, GARDP has outlined a strategic plan requiring EUR 220 million over the next five years to develop and ensure access to new antibiotic treatments. The initial EUR 60 million to USD 66 million represents a vital first step towards achieving this ambitious goal and protecting global populations from the escalating threat of drug-resistant infections.
About GARDP
GARDP is a not-for-profit global health organization dedicated to developing and ensuring access to antibiotic treatments for drug-resistant infections. GARDP relies on the support of various governments, organizations, and foundations, including those who contributed to the EUR 60 million to USD 66 million announced, to carry out its mission. More information can be found at www.gardp.org.
