The Gates Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation, and Wellcome have jointly awarded $60 million in new grant funding to global research teams over the next three years to accelerate the discovery of next-generation antibiotics. This funding supports the Gram-Negative Antibiotic Discovery Innovator (Gr-ADI), a first-of-its-kind consortium where multiple funders and research teams openly share data and collaborate to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly targeting Gram-negative bacteria, a leading cause of AMR-related deaths worldwide. The initiative represents the first investment from the $300 million global health research and development partnership launched by the three foundations in 2024.
AMR is a growing global health crisis that undermines the effectiveness of medical treatments, causes millions of deaths annually, and results in over $1 trillion in economic losses. The development of new antibiotics has lagged due to high costs and complex scientific challenges, leaving populations—especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)—vulnerable to otherwise treatable infections. By fostering collaboration and open knowledge sharing, Gr-ADI aims to accelerate the discovery and development of urgently needed antibiotics and ensure broader access to these lifesaving tools.
Eighteen projects across 17 countries have been selected based on their potential to transform antibiotic discovery. Research teams in countries such as Ghana, South Africa, and Brazil will participate, with technical support from experts in LMICs to guide and shape their work. Selected projects will leverage innovative approaches, including AI-enabled models, to accelerate drug discovery, and the consortium plans to expand over time to include new projects and geographies, strengthening global knowledge and expertise.
The Gr-ADI consortium is managed by RTI International, an independent scientific research institute, which ensures coordination across projects, alignment with strategic objectives, and effective dissemination of findings. The consortium also integrates existing Gates Foundation and Wellcome grantees to contribute specialized drug discovery knowledge and capabilities. The collaborative structure is designed to overcome traditional barriers in antibiotic development, promote open access to research data, and create a scalable model for global scientific cooperation against AMR.
The philanthropic leaders emphasize that bold, coordinated innovation is essential to address this urgent health threat. By supporting Gr-ADI, they aim to catalyze new discoveries, provide actionable tools for countries to combat infections, and improve health outcomes globally, especially for the most vulnerable populations. This initiative exemplifies how international collaboration and open science can accelerate solutions to pressing public health challenges.
