Recent advances and challenges in antibacterial drug development

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the leading causes of death globally. Recent estimates reveal that 1.2 million deaths were due to resistant bacterial infections in 2019 and 4.95 million deaths were associated with resistant bacterial infections [1]. There are some evidences suggesting that the current global crisis due to COVID-19 pandemic might have exacerbated antibiotic use. In addition, the pandemic has marginalized many public health priorities and programs in countries, resulting in services and programs interruption such as disease surveillance. This all together threatens the gains made in recent years against AMR. This includes nourishing the pipeline, investing in the development of new therapies knowing that research and development (R&D) of safe and effective products takes time, and adopting policy at the government level such as advanced remuneration frameworks to create a viable environment for new products [2]