The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation, and Wellcome have launched a new initiative to develop new antibiotics against gram-negative bacteria. The Gram-Negative Antibiotic Discovery Innovator (Gr-ADI) program aims to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
With a $50 million budget, Gr-ADI will focus on discovering direct-acting small-molecule antibiotics effective against Enterobacteriaceae and Klebsiella spp. The program encourages data sharing and collaboration among funders, research institutions, and industry partners.
Gr-ADI’s unconventional model of drug discovery and development emphasizes innovative approaches and cross-organisation collaboration. Grant recipients will not only work on individual projects but also contribute to a consortium dedicated to data sharing, specifically focusing on gram-negative bacteria.
Eligible projects, selected through a request for proposals, can receive up to $5 million in funding over 3 years. The initiative marks a significant step towards combating the growing public health threat posed by AMR and the development of effective new antibiotics.
Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/antimicrobial-stewardship/philanthropic-groups-launch-antibiotic-discovery-program