Investment in Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Research and Development: Implications for AMR Research and Innovation

Abstract

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health challenge affecting developed and developing countries. In 2019 alone, roughly 1.27 million people died due to AMR infections. Novel and potent antimicrobials are needed to address AMR infections. Sadly, the development of new and effective antimicrobial is costly and time-consuming. Investments in AMR research and development (AMR R&D) are therefore necessary to sustain the continued supply of antimicrobials. These investments can support the early-stage (push incentives) or late-stage (pull incentives) development of antimicrobials. This study, therefore, evaluated the impact of investments in AMR R&D on antimicrobial innovation. 

Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted to assess existing literature on AMR R&D investments and to analyse their findings based on a developed conceptual framework covering public health, market, and implementation factors. Additionally, quantitative AMR R&D data between 2017 and 2020 inclusive, was retrieved from the Global AMR R&D Hub’s Dynamic Dashboard and analysed to understand the funders of AMR R&D investments, and the investment allocations to different AMR R&D research areas. 

Result: A total of twenty-four kinds of literature comprising peer-reviewed and grey literature were identified and included in the review. Findings from the literature review showed a consensus agreement on the adoption of combined push and delinked pull investments, stewardship, and global actions as vital public health, market and implementation factors needed to drive antimicrobial innovation and contain AMR. Also, from the analysis of AMR R&D research areas, it was found that investments for diagnostics, vaccines and capacity building were each less than three times the investment for basic research.

Conclusion: Countries should be encouraged to support AMR R&D investments with push and delinked pull funding to drive antimicrobial innovation. Also, investments in diagnostics, vaccines and capacity building should be sustained to strengthen the AMR containment drive.