Publications

This report describes antimicrobial resistance (AMR) measures and the environment surrounding antimicrobial drugs in Japan and discusses the challenges of the antimicrobial drug discovery ecosystem. The Japanese antimicrobial drug discovery ecosystem has multi-layered challenges, including a weak R&D infrastructure, the absence of start-ups, inadequate market formation, and fragmented policy. To solve these problems and build effective systems, integration of strategic efforts is required.

Authors: Nobuaki Matsunaga and Michiko Iizuka

Publisher: LEAD: Leadership in Enhancing Antimicrobial Discovery

Citation: Matsunaga, N. and Iizuka, M. (2025) ‘Current Status and Challenges of the Japanese Antimicrobial Drug Discovery Ecosystem’, AMR Fellowship in Japan Final Report, LEAD: Leadership in Enhancing Antimicrobial Discovery, DOI: 10.19088/LEAD.2025.003

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19088/LEAD.2025.003Link opens in a new window

© LEAD: Leadership in Enhancing Antimicrobial Discovery 2025

Recent developments in the science and technology capabilities of several middle-income countries and their pharmaceutical sectors, including in research and development, are creating new opportunities for implementing a strategy that could enable sustainable and affordable antimicrobial discovery, development and manufacturing. This would entail new kinds of international partnership based on the principle of shared commitment to contribute to a global public good but with differentiated responsibilities.

Authors: Gerald Bloom, Christopher Dowson, David McKinney, Priya Balasubramaniam

Publisher: LEAD: Leadership in Enhancing Antimicrobial Discovery

Citation: Bloom, G.; Dowson, C.; McKinney, D.; and Balasubramaniam, P. (2025) ‘International Partnerships for Low-Cost Antimicrobial Discovery and Development’, LEAD Policy Brief 2, LEAD: Leadership in Enhancing Antimicrobial Discovery, DOI: 10.19088/LEAD.2025.002

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19088/LEAD.2025.002Link opens in a new window

© LEAD: Leadership in Enhancing Antimicrobial Discovery 2025

The UK Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance 2024-29 commits the government to continue its leadership in addressing this major global challenge. This can include a central role in supporting antimicrobial R&D through its focus on science and technology innovation as drivers of economic growth and international development. This will require a system-level approach to antimicrobial discovery with new kinds of collaboration between government and leading scientists in the public and private sectors.

This policy brief draws on their collective expertise to assess the current state of antimicrobial R&D, highlight opportunities for the UK to enhance its leadership and set out how closer collaboration with government can accelerate the discovery and development of urgently needed treatments.

Authors: David McKinney, Alicia Demirjian, Gerald Bloom, Christopher Dowson, Tom Barker

Publisher: LEAD: Leadership in Enhancing Antimicrobial Discovery

Citation: McKinney, D.; Demirjian, A.; Bloom, G.; Dowson, C. and Barker, T. (2025) ‘UK Leadership in Antimicrobial Discovery and Development’, LEAD Policy Brief 1, LEAD: Leadership in Enhancing Antimicrobial Discovery, DOI: 10.19088/LEAD.2025.001

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19088/LEAD.2025.001Link opens in a new window

© LEAD: Leadership in Enhancing Antimicrobial Discovery 2025