BEAM Alliance sets out its objectives to tackle anti-microbial resistance

Published: 30-Sep-2015

Aims to fund R&D projects across Europe, incentivise development of new products, and wants EMA to simplify regulatory pathways


The BEAM Alliance (Biopharmaceutical companies from Europe innovating in Anti-Microbial resistance research) has set out its objectives as it aims to reinvigorate investment and R&D in the antibacterial field across Europe.

BEAM members are 40 small and medium-sized biopharmaceutical companies from 11 European countries. They are developing nearly 100 new compounds to treat or prevent bacterial infections. These range from antibacterial small molecules (e.g. small molecule antibiotics, antibiotic combinations, adjuvant therapeutic) to alternative strategies and bioproducts (e.g. phages, antibodies, peptides, medical devices, microbiome modulators, prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines). Among them, the 20 products currently in clinical development are hopes of better cures for patients with multi-resistant infections.

The BEAM Alliance is urging European and national public authorities to take three key short term actions to be implemented immediately:

  • 1. The creation of a fund dedicated to small and medium biopharmas developing innovative antibacterial products. It would finance projects from discovery to clinical proof of concept, with a focus on preclinical and early clinical studies up to phase II studies;
  • 2. The enhancement of market incentives to increase the return on investment (ROI) for products tackling antimicrobial resistance through the creation of a special status. Tax breaks, along with extension of market exclusivity and revision of the pricing model, would reinvigorate the attractiveness of antibacterial R&D and replenish the pipeline of antibacterial products;
  • 3. The strengthening of the actions of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to accelerate and simplify regulatory pathways for products tackling antimicrobial resistance.

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