The European Commission announced a €30 million investment at the One Health Summit in Lyon to strengthen the global response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This funding, part of the EU4Health program, aims to enhance medical countermeasures against AMR, a growing health threat responsible for over 35,000 deaths annually in the EU/EEA and costing healthcare systems an estimated €11 billion each year. The initiative focuses on accelerating the development of new treatments to combat resistant infections effectively.
The investment, managed by Germany’s KfW Development Bank, will support two not-for-profit organizations: CARB-X, which accelerates early-stage antibacterial research, and GARDP, which advances late-stage clinical development projects. By covering the full pipeline from discovery to clinical use, the partnership ensures a comprehensive and sustainable approach to AMR medical countermeasures.
Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, emphasized that the funding reinforces EU preparedness through DG HERA by promoting innovation across all stages of antibacterial product development. This end-to-end approach accelerates the availability of lifesaving treatments, addresses AMR, and strengthens readiness for future health emergencies, contributing to global health security.
AMR has been identified as one of four major threat categories by DG HERA, given its potential to undermine current treatments and increase infectious disease burdens. By investing in public-private partnerships bridging early research and clinical application, the EU aims to reduce AMR-related illness and death while promoting innovation, ensuring effective medical countermeasures are accessible both within the EU and globally.
