The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its latest report on antibacterial agents, including antibiotics, in clinical and preclinical development worldwide showing an increase in the number of agents in the pipeline from 80 in 2021 to 97. First released in 2017, this annual report evaluates whether the current research and development (R&D) pipeline properly addresses infections caused by the drug-resistant bacteria most threatening to human health. The findings of the report show that while there is an increase in the number of drugs in the pipeline, the number is too small given how long research usually takes and the likelihood of failure.
They also note that there are gaps across the entire pipeline, including in products for children, oral formulations more convenient for outpatients, and agents to tackle rising drug resistance, also referred to as anti-microbial resistance (AMR). Currently, of the 32 antibiotics under development to address infections caused by pathogens that the WHO has listed as a priority, only 12 are considered innovative. Furthermore, the report shows, just 4 of these 12 are active against at least 1 WHO ‘critical’ pathogens which have been ranked to present the highest risk.
Looking at newly approved anti-bacterial since 1 July 2017, 13 new antibiotics have obtained marketing authorization but only 2 represent a new chemical class and can be termed innovative, as they are both approved as effective against bacteria and safe for humans.