The organization published its fourth annual review of antibiotics currently in development across the globe April 16.
Four report findings:
1. Forty-three antibiotics are in development worldwide, 26 of which target the WHO’s “priority pathogens” deemed to pose the greatest threat to human health. Of these, only two are active against critical multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, the report found.
2. Another 12 antibiotics in development are active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and five address Clostridioides difficile.
3. Of the 11 new antibiotics approved by the FDA or European Medicines Agency since 2017, nine are from existing antibiotic classes where resistance is either already occurring or predicted. These treatments pose limited clinical benefits over existing treatments, WHO said.
4. The analysis also revealed a lack of oral antibiotic options for multidrug-resistant infections, which would allow for shorter treatment durations or treatment outside of healthcare facilities.
To view the full analysis, click here.
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