Antibiotics, one of the major medical discoveries of the 20th Century, have enabled humans to treat a wide array of bacterial infections that once caused significant death and suffering. For this reason, antibiotics have become widespread in their use, often times when they may not be even necessary, or where they may not serve the greatest good.

Because of the remarkable adaptation capabilities of microbes, many antibiotics and other antimicrobials have been rendered obsolete or far less effective due to the onset of antimicrobial resistance. Challenges within the regulatory and business models surrounding antimicrobials have slowed their development and created not only a need for better antimicrobial stewardship, but also for systems and models that encourage the development of new therapies. Antimicrobial resistance, if left unchecked, could become deadlier than cancer by 2050 (10 million deaths), according to the World Health Organization.

New technologies and discoveries are enabling a better understanding of precision diagnostics and therapies that can help aid in fighting antimicrobial resistance, and new organizations and partnerships are being developed to incentivize the development of new therapies and technologies. While there is a long road ahead to prevent the onset of this potential global crisis, there are opportunities ahead to achieve a healthier future