European Novel Drug research to Address Microbial infections and drug Resistance

Antimicrobial-resistant and persistent bacterial infections represent major global healthcare challenges, imposing substantial costs and highlighting the urgent need for new and more effective treatment options. The World Health Organization and other international bodies have identified critical gaps in the current antibacterial drug discovery pipeline, which relies heavily on similar mechanisms of action and fails to address the needs of low- and middle-income countries. The rapid emergence of bacterial resistance, coupled with a lack of globally applicable therapeutics, continues to exacerbate the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis.The European Novel Drug Research to Address Microbial Infections and Drug Resistance (END2AMR) consortium aims to tackle these challenges by developing innovative therapeutic modalities and delivery technologies that can overcome current treatment limitations. END2AMR brings together a multidisciplinary public–private partnership comprising pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic expertise to advance a diverse portfolio of novel antibacterial modalities and delivery technologies. These will be applied independently or in combination to improve patient outcomes, using specific bacterial pathogen case studies as a basis for broader translational impact. The case studies targeting specific bacterial pathogens will serve as exemplars to extend these approaches to other infectious diseases.Main Objectives:• Advance and validate innovative strategies to treat chronic and drug-resistant bacterial infections, with particular emphasis on Gram-negative bacteria and mycobacteria.• Develop a versatile toolkit to enable the creation, optimization, and translation of next-generation antibacterial treatments.Key Deliverables:• Demonstrate proof of concept for at least three new antibacterial modalities and/or delivery technologies addressing infections currently lacking effective therapies.• Progress at least one long-acting therapeutic to preclinical candidate status.Long-Term Impact:END2AMR will establish robust pathways for antibacterial drug discovery and development, including Target Product Profiles for novel modalities and delivery technologies. The project will also create a framework to support the translation and exploitation of innovative approaches generated through its activities. Ultimately, END2AMR will strengthen the European health innovation ecosystem, enhancing preparedness, resilience, and global leadership in addressing chronic bacterial infections and antimicrobial resistance through both traditional and pioneering approaches.AcknowledgementEND2AMR is supported by the Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking (IHI JU). The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme and COCIR, EFPIA, Europa Bio, MedTech Europe, and Vaccines Europe.