USA — The Biden administration has taken significant steps to combat the growing threat of drug-resistant bacteria by investing US$100 million in a research project led by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H).
This initiative, known as “Defeating Antibiotic Resistance through Transformative Solutions” (DARTS), aims to develop innovative diagnostic and experimental platforms to better understand the origins of antibiotic resistance and to create new antibiotics.
“Antibiotic resistance is an urgent and growing threat, and we do not currently have the tools we need to combat it. We must combine better stewardship of antibiotics with novel technologies to save lives – exactly what this award will do,” states HHS secretary Xavier Becerra.
Harvard University will lead this multi-institutional effort, receiving up to US$104 million in funding. The overarching goal is to develop a versatile platform that can be implemented in clinics and hospitals worldwide.
Bacterial infections claim numerous lives globally, with over 2.8 million cases of antibiotic-resistant infections occurring annually in the United States alone, resulting in more than 35,000 deaths.
The urgency of addressing antimicrobial resistance has also prompted legislative action, with the introduction of the Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act.
This bill, currently under consideration, aims to establish a subscription-style funding model for the development of new antibiotics, addressing the US$6 billion challenge.
Beyond U.S. borders, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur have unveiled a remarkable breakthrough.
By harnessing snake venom, they have developed a novel antimicrobial peptide molecule capable of killing various dangerous bacteria, including E. coli, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae, and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), known for causing deadly infections.
This innovation holds promise as a component in wound disinfection and healing ointments, with biocompatibility demonstrated through cytotoxicity studies.
The researchers successfully reduced snake venom’s toxicity while retaining its antimicrobial properties, paving the way for potential pharmaceutical applications.
Dr. Surajit Ghosh of IIT Jodhpur envisions various forms of therapeutic applications, from ointments and injectables for wound care to aerosolized formulations targeting respiratory bacterial pathogens.
The development of antimicrobial peptides represents a beacon of hope in the battle against antibiotic resistance, offering versatile solutions in an era of increasing resistance challenges.
Antibiotic resistance casts a long, dark shadow over the world’s health. This escalating crisis, exacerbated by the COVID pandemic, demands a unified response.
Tackling antibiotic resistance requires a multifaceted approach, including aligning clinical guidelines and rapid diagnostics for viral respiratory infections.
Public awareness, enhanced surveillance, improved infection control policies, and sanitation are essential components of this effort.
A coordinated “One Health” approach, bridging human, animal, and environmental health, is pivotal to address the global threat of antibiotic resistance and promote health equity, especially in lower- and middle-income countries.
This global alliance seeks to bridge health inequalities and offers tailored interventions, particularly in lower- and middle-income nations.
For all the latest healthcare industry news from Africa and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, and YouTube Channel, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, and like us on Facebook.
