AMR-Global Strategic Document
AMR-Global is a Netherlands-based public-private partnership (PPP) that brings together experts in science, business, policy, and society to make feasible, affordable, and necessary solutions to curb antimicrobial resistance (AMR) available to all in need, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).
AMR is an urgent global health problem. Drug-resistant microorganisms already account for an estimated 700,000 deaths a year globally, a figure that could rapidly increase to 10 million deaths each year by 2050 if no action is taken. The World Bank in 2017 equated the annually recurring costs of AMR to those of the 2008 financial crisis. A comprehensive global strategy towards solving AMR is needed to achieve equitable health, which is one of the main objectives of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Netherlands has effective models for AMR stewardship and a strong track record of research and innovation in the prevention and reduction of AMR, as evidenced by its low AMR prevalence when compared to other countries in the EU and world. At the animal side, the Netherlands has managed to reduce use of antimicrobials tremendously over the last decade. However, as with most infectious disease pandemic threats, national borders do not stop resistant microorganisms. Research and innovation initiatives should leverage the Netherlands’ strong position to curb this silent pandemic, not only to sustain the current low national prevalence status but also from a European and global health perspective.
Mission
A world where everybody has sustainable access to effective and affordable antimicrobial therapy, at all levels of health care, when needed.
Vision
AMR-Global is a Netherlands-based public-private partnership (PPP) that brings together experts in science, business, policy, and society to make feasible, affordable, and necessary solutions to curb antimicrobial resistance (AMR) available to all in need, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).
Strategy
The AMR-Global partners work together on innovations for humans, animals, and ecosystems and evidence of their impact in real-world settings, to improve infection prevention and control, access to quality diagnostics, diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardship, and access to effective antimicrobial drugs, vaccines and other alternatives, while aiming for minimal negative environmental impact. AMR-Global will drive the development, evaluation, and implementation of such innovations, with a sharp focus on innovations that matter in LMICs.
AMR-Global aims
To prioritize development of effective, accessible, and affordable innovations in the research priority areas
To test innovations in real-world settings globally, generating evidence and implementation models for scale-up.
To engage multi-sector Dutch and international investment and funding for research and innovation programs.
In pursuit of its vision, AMR-Global currently prioritizes on the following research focus areas:
Diagnostics and diagnostic stewardship – Innovations to improve detection of bacterial (including mycobacterial) infection and to support surveillance activities
Antimicrobials: access, sustainable use, and antimicrobial stewardship – Innovations to reduce inappropriate exposure to antimicrobials
Water management – Innovations to detect and eliminate resistant bacteria, resistance encoding genes, and antibiotics in water
Partnership
AMR-Global is characterized by its international focus and facilitates partners to collaborate on products and interventions that matter for global health, especially LMICs. The PPP is driven by expertise from stakeholders from science, policy, industry, and society. SMEs, knowledge institutes, and NGOs working on innovations in prevention, diagnostics and therapeutics in the fields of human and animal health and water management globally are represented in the partnership, as are the Netherlands Center for One Health (NCOH, representing the Dutch academic hospitals, university faculties, and other academic institutes working on AMR in the One Health domain) and the NCOH-associated Netherlands Antibiotic Development Platform (NADP). This broad representation creates a unique and stimulating landscape for interdisciplinary and cross-sectorial innovation.
How AMR-Global works
The AMR-Global partners meet at least biannually and are open to new collaborations and partnerships. Interested researchers, NGO’s, SMEs and others who may want to join the partnership are welcome to reach out and to attend the partnership meetings. Outreach is further achieved through quarterly newsletters.
The PPP is led by the AMR-Global Steering Group, consisting of representatives of academic, private, and public partners. Current Steering Group members are Constance Schultsz (Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, Chair), Remko van Leeuwen (Madame Therapeutics, co-Chair), Agnes Gebhard (KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation), Jovanka Bestebroer (NCOH), Jaap Wagenaar (Utrecht University), Coen Breedveld (Levels Diagnostics), Luc Hornstra (KWR) and Maarten Boender (Sphereon).
Achievements
AMR-Global has successfully brought together public and private partners, leading to a variety of novel initiatives. In addition to the Top Sector Life Sciences & Health Match Call program (2M euro), efforts are ongoing to engage with other funders, including EU-based and Dutch embassies. AMR-Global has a collaboration agreement with the Indian accelerator C-CAMP. As AMR is a multi-sectorial international challenge, AMR-Global employs international, multi-disciplinary and multi-sectorial coordination and collaboration, providing opportunities to cross-link initiatives through research programs, for example linking the TKI Life Sciences and Health with TKIs Water, Chemistry, and/or Agri&Food.