The World Health Organization (WHO) has published its latest report on antibacterial agents, including antibiotics, which are in clinical and preclinical development worldwide.
The annual report aims to improve the research and development pipeline to address infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria most threatening to health and to tackle the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Designated as one of the top ten global public threats facing humanity by WHO, AMR occurs when bacteria, fungi and parasites change and adapt antibiotics over time.
Despite an increase in the number of antibacterial agents in clinical development since 2021, there is still an urgent need for new, innovative agents for serious infections, as well as to replace antimicrobials that are ineffective due to widespread misuse and overuse.
In May, WHO released the updated 2024 WHO bacterial pathogen list (BPPL), to provide guidance on the development of new and necessary treatments to combat AMR. The list highlights drug-resistant bacteria, which are most threatening to human health.
Critical priority pathogens included gram-negative bacteria and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the most threatening pathogens to humans globally.
The new report highlighted that only 12 of the 32 antibiotics under development to address BPPL infections can be considered innovative, four of which are active against at least one WHO critical pathogen.
In addition, it revealed gaps across the pipeline, including in products for children, oral formulations more convenient for outpatients and agents to tackle rising drug resistance.
“AMR is only getting worse, yet we’re not developing new trailblazing products fast enough to combat the most dangerous and deadly bacteria,” explained Dr Yukiko Nakatani, assistant director-general, AMR, WHO.
WHO also outlined that while non-traditional biological agents are increasingly being explored in addition to and as alternatives to antibiotics, studying and regulating them requires further efforts to facilitate clinical studies and assessments to determine when and how to use these agents clinically.
In addition, greater transparency in the pipeline would help to facilitate collaboration around potentially innovative projects, help scientists and drug developers, and generate more interest and funding for drug development for novel antibacterial agents, as well as corroborate parallel efforts to ensure they can be equitably accessed.