The Task Force will support and strengthen the WHO’s engagement with non-government organisations, foster collaborations, build capacity and amplify the voices of communities affected by AMR.
MTPConnect CEO and AAMRNet co-chair, Stuart Dignam, says the move recognises AAMRNet’s leadership role in Australia and the broader Asia Pacific region.
“We’re delighted to join 80 other organisations from around the world on this new WHO task force, and excited that MTPConnect’s Andrew Bowskill has been selected for the 12-member steering committee,” Mr Dignam said.
“Ensuring Australia has a seat at the decision-making table, along with the US, UK, Belgium, Brazil, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Switzerland, the Philippines and Tanzania, will allow us to take our AMR advocacy to a new level.
“It will also shine a global light on Australian life science researchers and companies involved in AMR innovations.
“AMR is a clear and present danger, with the latest WHO data showing 1 in 6 infections were resistant to antibiotics, particularly urinary tract infections, and resistance was highest in South-East Asia[1], right on Australia’s doorstep.
“The WHO Task Force will hold its first plenary session during World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (18 – 24 November) to discuss the priorities of the task force and strategies to advance coordinated action against AMR in the human health sector, and AAMRNet will ensure Australia’s voice is heard.”
AAMRNet is advocating for investment in three areas to help combat the global threat of AMR and ensure Australians have equitable access to the lifesaving medicines they deserve:
MTPConnect, Australia’s leading independent, non-profit life-sciences innovation accelerator established and operates AAMRNet to provide thought leadership and drive action on AMR in Australia. AAMRNet leverages MTPConnect’s networks, resources and its reputation as an independent and trusted voice for the sector and brings together experts from industry, research, clinicians, patients and government to identify and tackle the challenges of AMR.
AAMRNet members include: Pfizer ANZ, CSIRO, GSK Australia, Recce Pharmaceuticals, MSD Australia, Botanix Pharmaceuticals, SpeeDx, Medicines Australia, Tenmile, Biointelect, Monash Centre to Impact AMR and Bugworks Australia (supported by industry contributions)
Additional Australian and international partners of the AAMRNet include: AusBiotech, BiomeBank, Centre for Environmental and Agricultural Solutions for Antimicrobial Resistance (CEAStAR), Clever Culture Systems, Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X), Community for Open Antimicrobial Drug Discovery (CO-ADD), Health Security Systems Australia (HSSA), Epichem, Formulytica, GARDP, Incubator for Antibacterial Therapies in Europe (INCATE), Kraken Coding, Lindo, Lixa, Menzies School of Health Research, Microbio, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, NanoScout, RESULTS International Australia, Roche Diagnostics Australia and the University of Auckland.