Efforts to Revive Antibiotic Development With PASTEUR Act, Education, Awareness

In the US, more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur each year, resulting in more than 30,000 deaths. The estimated national cost to treat infections caused by just 6 drug-resistant pathogens is $4.6 billion, according to the CDC. It is important to note, these statistics may be outdated and the financial and mortality burdens may be significantly higher.

Additionally, from a globally standpoint, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) contributes to nearly 5 million deaths annually, including directly killing 1.27 million people, according to WHO.

The growing threat of AMR is exposing shortfalls in the drug development system, according to AMR Action Fund CEO Henry Skinner, PhD, MBE. Designed as a billion-dollar investment initiative, the fund aims to revive the struggling antibiotic pipeline while advocating for long-term policy reform.

“The AMR Action Fund is a billion-dollar global investment initiative established in 2020 to address the accelerating crisis of antimicrobial resistance… and do this by revitalizing the antibiotic development pipeline,” said Skinner.

Launched by 23 pharmaceutical companies in collaboration with organizations such as the World Health Organization and the Wellcome Trust, the fund represents one of the largest coordinated industry responses to the reduction of antibiotic innovation. Its goal is to bring 2 to 4 new antibiotics to market by 2030, which is already underway.

At the core of the issue is a fundamental economic paradox: trying to use antibiotics when they are truly needed to preserve their effectiveness, which limits sales and discourages investment. As a result, many companies have exited the space, leaving smaller biotech firms struggling to survive.

“Unlike drugs for chronic diseases, antibiotics are intentionally used sparingly… this stewardship reduces sales volumes, undermines the traditional return on investment model,” Skinner said.

Where Does The PASTEUR Act Come in?

The reintroduction of the PASTEUR Act in Congress earlier this year has once again brought attention to the urgent need for policy solutions to combat AMR. Sustainable progress depends on policy reforms such as the PASTEUR Act.

While the AMR Action Fund does not directly lobby for the legislation, it plays a critical supporting role aimed at strengthening the case for reform. Skinner emphasized that the fund’s efforts are focused on helping policymakers and the public better understand both the scientific and economic challenges surrounding antibiotic development.

“The fund, I'd say, plays an indirect role in supporting the PASTEUR Act and other similar incentives… primarily what we do is we try to educate and advocate,” he said. This includes highlighting the foundational role antibiotics play in modern medicine—from enabling routine surgeries to supporting cancer treatments.

Beyond education, the fund also demonstrates how effective policy can unlock innovation. By investing in antibiotic development, it aims to show that scientific breakthroughs are achievable if sustainable financial models are in place. However, Skinner noted that no single policy, including the PASTEUR Act, can solve the problem alone. Coordinated international efforts are essential to ensure both scientific priorities and economic incentives are aligned globally.

Despite its promise, the PASTEUR Act continues to face significant hurdles. One of the primary challenges is cost, as the legislation requires substantial upfront investment at a time of heightened budget scrutiny.

“The act requires substantial financial investment… and it's a slow moving crisis… it just lacks immediate visibility, makes it harder to generate urgency amongst policymakers and the public,” Skinner said. This lack of immediacy, combined with the complexity of designing effective funding and stewardship systems, has slowed legislative progress.

Still, there are signs of progress. The PASTEUR Act has been introduced multiple times and continues to attract bipartisan support, reflecting a growing consensus around both the severity of AMR and the need for action. While passage has remained elusive, momentum appears to be building as awareness increases and policymakers grapple with the long-term consequences of inaction.