OBJECTIVES

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is considered one of the biggest global threats of Health and Food Safety. AMR develops when bacteria, fungi, or viruses are exposed to antibiotics, antifungals or antivirals. As a result, the antimicrobials become ineffective and infections may persist. In addition, medical interventions including surgery, caesarian sections, chemotherapy and stem cell therapy may become impossible. It is estimated that AMR causes at least 700,000 casualties per year with the low- and middle income countries (LMIC) bearing the harshest burdens. More recent recalculations indicate substantially higher numbers.

The global curbing of AMR demands for urgent action. Both at an international as well as at a national level action plans have been set up to fight AMR. These plans have six ‘strategies’ in common:

1. Better prevention of infectious diseases
2. Further implementing antibiotics stewardship
3. Developing improved microbial diagnostics
4. Developing novel (classes of) antibiotics and antimicrobials
5. Developing alternative antimicrobial strategies (like phage therapy)
6. Preventing the discharge of antimicrobials in waste water

This event boosts the research, development and implementation of emerging diagnostics, antimicrobials and alternative antimicrobial strategies and aims to add to the global curbing AMR.

Emerging Antimicrobials and Diagnostics deserve a podium
Academic researchers, Start-up’s, SME’s and multinational companies within and outside Europe are developing novel powerful antibiotics and other antimicrobials, vaccines and microbial diagnostics; technologies we desperately need in the global fight against Antimicrobial resistance. Meanwhile many of these emerging technologies are not, or not sufficiently, in the spotlights of Big Pharma and Diagnostic companies and end users. 

Our overall aim is to boost joint innovation and international collaboration to enhance the global curbing of AMR.