The Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) is a non-profit initiative founded in 2016 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) to research and develop new antibiotics. The focus is particularly on bacterial infectious diseases for which antimicrobial resistance (AMR) already exists or for which treatment is currently inadequate. This applies especially to serious bacterial infections and sepsis in adults, children and newborns as well as sexually transmitted infections. In addition, GARDP aims to ensure sustainable, equitable and affordable access to the newly developed antibiotics. Since 2019, GARDP is an independent organization.

GARDP: Addressing the global crisis of drug resistance

According to data based on the 2022 GRAM study, AMR is directly responsible for the deaths of 1.27 million people a year and associated with 4.95 million deaths, making it one of the biggest global health challenges. If AMR is left unchecked, the number of annual deaths is likely to increase significantly, and according to World Bank estimates from 2017, could cost the global economy 3.4 trillion US$ by 2030. Through its partnership model, GARDP has successfully developed a portfolio of antibiotic treatments to make progress towards delivering five treatments by 2025 (5by25) to address the global crisis of AMR, whereby GARDP especially focuses on the early preclinical as well as the clinical development of innovative antibiotics.

Germany as a strong partner in the fight against AMR

GARDP is currently supported by over 70 partners from public and private sectors in more than 20 countries, with Germany, as a founding member, always being one of the largest funders. Until 2027, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding GARDP with 111.7 million EUR.