The WHO Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance calls for the creation of new partnerships to foster the development and conservation of antibiotics. To implement the Global Action Plan, WHO and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) are currently setting up a ‘Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership’.
The aim is to develop new antibiotic treatments addressing antimicrobial resistance and promote their responsible use for optimal conservation, while ensuring equitable access for all. The Partnership will stimulate innovation for global needs in the area of antibiotics by ensuring that any new products are also suitable for resource-limited settings.
It will work closely with all stakeholders, including pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, other product development partnerships, academia, civil society, and health authorities from countries of all income levels. WHO and DNDi jointly organized a technical consultation on 13 November 2015 that reaffirmed the initiative. In December 2015, the DNDi Board of Directors approved the hosting of the incubation of the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership.