CSIRO collaborates with Cicada Innovations to build industry in tackling antimicrobial resistance

Pharma News: AMR occurs when disease-causing bacteria, fungi, and other germs no longer respond to medicines such as antibiotics. These drug-resistant ‘superbugs’ are on the rise globally and make infections harder to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread and severe illness and death in animals and humans. 

There is an urgent need to address AMR and the clinical pipeline of new antimicrobials is dry. Currently, 700,000 people die each year from drug-resistant infections, and this is predicted to increase to up to 10 million deaths by 2050. 

Dr Branwen Morgan who is leading CSIRO’s developing Antimicrobial Resistance Mission, said new drugs alone will not solve the issue.  

“The drug pipeline is long and costly – we need innovative science, technology and engineering solutions to mitigate AMR now and into the future,” Dr Morgan said.  

“Potential solutions could range from antimicrobial coatings to integrated sensors and software that identifies the presence of AMR to alternative treatments and diagnostics.” 

“We have partnered with Cicada Innovations to offer the AMR Commercialisation 101 course, that will equip innovators with the knowledge and skills to commercialise new products that can make a significant impact in tackling this growing problem.” 

The course is open to SMEs and researchers regardless of experience in AMR, from any sector where technologies could be adapted to solve AMR challenges. 

Sally-Ann Williams, CEO of Cicada Innovations, said the new course will cover an introduction to the AMR landscape, commercialising medical technologies, introduction to lean start-up, idea and customer validation, and market analysis and competitive landscape. 

“This course is a gateway for innovators looking to gain a foundational understanding of AMR and how to validate an idea and make an impact,” Ms Williams said.  

“We’re calling on industry, SMEs and innovators to register for the free course and take the first step in translating their ideas into a solution which can save lives.”  

The course builds on Cicada Innovation’s successful medical technology commercialisation programs.  

AMR Commercialisation 101 was launched this week at the Antimicrobial Resistance Summit, a two-day event hosted by CSIRO in partnership with the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment and Department of Industry, Science and Resources.  

The summit seeks to identify the innovative products, policies, and processes that could achieve the greatest impact on mitigating AMR in Australia. 

The World Health Organisation has declared AMR one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity. It is also a significant animal welfare and biosecurity issue.