New Resources for Research on Antimicrobial Resistance
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), in partnership with Pathways to Antimicrobial Clinical Efficacy (PACE)—a collaboration involving Innovate UK, LifeArc, and Medicines Discovery Catapult—has launched five new collections of drug-resistant bacteria now available for researchers to order. This initiative aims to facilitate the evaluation of novel treatments and diagnostic tests against the prevailing patterns of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) observed both in the UK and internationally.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria adapt to survive the medications designed to eradicate them, rendering certain infections increasingly difficult to treat. This emerging crisis represents one of the most significant threats to global health. Given the rapid evolution of resistance, therapies developed for older bacterial strains may prove ineffective against the resistant pathogens currently prevalent in healthcare settings.
Enhancing Research Capabilities
To ascertain the efficacy of new treatments, researchers can now test them against a curated panel of bacteria. Historically, the availability of such panels reflecting current resistance trends has been limited, often resulting in delays before research could commence.
UKHSA’s Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections (AMRHAI) Reference Unit has played a crucial role in identifying and analysing these bacterial samples, leveraging its extensive expertise in monitoring antimicrobial resistance across the UK. These samples are now accessible through the National Collection of Type Cultures (NCTC), the UK’s most established repository of medically significant bacteria.
Targeted Focus on Global Health Threats
The newly introduced panels aim to fill a critical gap in research resources, comprising 145 bacterial strains predominantly collected in the UK over the past five years. They encompass bacteria classified as priority threats by the World Health Organization and include strains associated with urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, and lower respiratory tract infections. Although primarily sourced in the UK, these samples mirror resistance patterns identified globally.
Researchers can access the samples through the NCTC, complete with comprehensive scientific data to bolster their investigations.
Expert Insights on the Initiative
Professor Mark Sutton, Scientific Leader for Antimicrobial Resistance at UKHSA, emphasised the urgency of addressing antimicrobial resistance: “Antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest threats to health worldwide, and we need to develop new treatments and diagnostic tests just as quickly as resistance changes.” He further noted, “By collaborating with PACE, we’ve established a panel of 145 up-to-date bacteria, now available through our National Collection of Type Cultures. These provide researchers with a resource that accurately reflects the infections currently encountered in hospitals and clinics, aiding in the rapid development of improved treatments and tests.”
Dr Beverley Isherwood, Strategy Leader for Infectious Diseases at Medicines Discovery Catapult and PACE Programme Director, highlighted the significance of this collaboration: “Access to consistent, contemporary strain panels has long been a barrier for AMR innovators, particularly smaller companies lacking the resources to secure them independently. Through our partnership with UKHSA, we have harnessed world-class UK infrastructure to eliminate this hurdle for innovators globally, enabling them to develop and validate new diagnostics and therapeutics more effectively and expedite their journey to clinical application.”