HHS and Wellcome Trust, a London-based global biomedical research charity, are collaborating to accelerate antibiotic development for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, according to The Washington Post.
Here are six takeaways:
1. The two-country initiative is called CARB-X (Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator).
2. One of the largest public-private partnerships, CARB-X will push preclinical discovery of antimicrobial products.
3. The initiative will start with $44 million in the first year, with an increase to $350 million over a five-year period.
4. The partnership hopes to speed the antibiotic development process early enough to garner public and private investments for advanced development, which will help with U.S. and British regulatory approval.
5. Currently, the United States has 37 antibiotics in clinical development, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts.
6. The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority will work alongside the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease to lead the initiative in the United States. The Wellcome Trust and AMR Centre will lead the efforts in Britain.
