The Global Challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance: Patent filing analysis a decade on

Key Findings:

• Patent Filing Trends: Approximately 12,500 antimicrobial-related patent families were filed globally since 2015, indicating a steady increase. However, this growth is modest compared to fields like oncology, highlighting the need for greater investment in antimicrobial research.​

• Geographical Distribution: China leads in both the number of filings and top applicants, with institutions like the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Sun Yat-sen University at the forefront. The U.S. and Europe also contribute significantly, particularly in antiviral research.​

• Research Focus: Patent filings are predominantly in antibacterials and antivirals, with fewer in antifungals. Notably, antiviral patents often pursue broader international protection, suggesting higher commercial interest and development success.​

• Innovation Drivers: The COVID-19 pandemic influenced patent activity, with some organizations increasing filings post-2020. Initiatives like the Gram-Negative Antibiotic Discovery Innovator (Gr-ADI) and PACE aim to stimulate antimicrobial development.

• Emerging Strategies: Research is exploring alternative approaches, including enhancing existing antibiotics, utilizing AI for drug discovery, and investigating bacteriophage therapy. However, challenges like bacterial resistance to phages and the need for standardized data reporting persist.​

Conclusion:

While there is growing scientific interest in combating AMR, this has not yet translated into a significant surge in patent filings. The article underscores the urgency for increased innovation and investment to address the escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance.​