New BEAM Alliance Position Paper calls out stakeholders to rapidly provide market-based solutions supporting SME-driven innovation against antimicrobial resistance
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are being considered as the major innovators in the field of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). But, facing unprecedented challenges to fund R&D activities and commercialize new drugs, the whole AMR-focused SME landscape is under threat.
▪ Awareness has been raised at high political level; still, solutions are slow to emerge. Already complex from a scientific standpoint, the situation is worsened by inadequate prescription practices and commercialization constraints.
▪ Numerous models have already been designed, providing some pieces of the puzzle. Stakeholders at the national and global level must rapidly redouble their efforts to design and implement a path forward.3
Paris (France), November 18th, 2019 – In 2019, the collective fight to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has had its ups and downs. Announcements from national governments (US, UK, Sweden) to modify regulations or test new business models have been applauded. On the other hand, the demise of the US-based Achaogen company has shed light to the remaining hurdles faced by SME developers of AMR products.
Taking advantage of the World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WHO) and of the European Antibiotic Awareness Day (Nov 18, 2019), the European BEAM Alliance, representing 72 ‘Biotech companies from Europe innovating in AntiMicrobial resistance research’, today released a position paper to highlight the need for quick and massive efforts towards the support of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as the major but fragile innovators in the field.
Full Memo available here