WHO and HERA Expand Partnership to Fight Antimicrobial Resistance: €3.5M Boost for Global R&D
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is climbing fast. Drug-resistant infections are outpacing innovation, and the world is running out of effective tools. WHO and the European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness Authority (HERA) are taking a stronger stand.
A new €3.5 million funding agreement under the EU4Health programme will expand their joint work to accelerate antibiotic innovation and ensure global access.
Why This Partnership Matters?
AMR has become one of the world’s most urgent health threats. Countries are seeing rising rates of resistant bacterial and fungal infections. Lives are at risk, and treatment options are shrinking.
This new funding allows WHO to scale up several critical efforts:
R&D for new antibiotics and antifungals
Development of non-traditional therapies, including bacteriophages
Strengthening SECURE, a global initiative to expand access to essential antibiotics
Improving policy frameworks to tackle antibiotic shortages
Dr. Yvan Hutin of WHO put it bluntly: AMR threatens global health security. And without decisive action, the world risks losing its most valuable medical tools.
What WHO Has Achieved So Far?
Since the partnership began in 2022, WHO and HERA have delivered key milestones:
Updated Bacterial Priority Pathogens List (BPPL)
Advanced the first Fungal Priority Pathogens List (FPPL)
Published global pipeline reviews for antibacterials, antifungals, and diagnostics
Organized regional and global consultations to boost R&D alignment
Developed guidance for introducing new antibiotics, especially in low- and middle-income countries
Created frameworks to reduce antibiotic shortages and access gaps
These efforts strengthen global awareness, sharpen research priorities, and lay the groundwork for equitable access to life-saving antimicrobials.
The Road Ahead
The new €3.5 million investment gives the partnership fresh momentum. The expanded work will help accelerate innovation, strengthen access pathways, and support countries facing rising antimicrobial resistance.
AMR isn’t slowing down. But initiatives like this show how coordinated global action can build the tools needed to protect the world from the next wave of resistant infections.