The Gates Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation, and Wellcome have announced the launch of a $50 million initiative focused on combatting antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The Gram-Negative Antibiotic Discovery Innovator (Gr-ADI) will focus on a specific range of bacteria that are among the leading contributors to AMR-associated deaths. The Gr-ADI will function as a consortium where multiple funders, research institutions, and industry partners share data and work collectively to drive innovation in the discovery of urgently needed new drugs.

Gr-ADI is the first investment of the three-year, $300 million global health research and development (R&D) partnership announced in 2024 by the three organizations, which is broadly focused on supporting science and innovation to advance solutions to health challenges that disproportionately impact people in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The broader partnership will support for researchers and institutions based in LMIC settings, including resources to advance locally relevant research agendas, strengthen research and development capacities, and scale equitable access to existing tools and technologies.

“The AMR crisis continues to grow. We urgently need effective solutions to prevent a future of few to no treatments for drug-resistant infections,” said Wellcome director of infectious disease Alexander Pym. “Accelerating the discovery of new types of antibiotics and finding new ways to kill bacteria is key to tackling this global threat and protecting those in regions with the highest burden, such as Africa and Asia. Our best chance is to collaborate on innovative new approaches to antibiotic development.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Zorica Nastasic)