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World Anti-Microbial Resistance Congress brings attention to growing threat of resistance
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The fifth annual World Anti-Microbial Resistance Congress — to be held in Washington, D.C., from Nov. 7 to 8 — will address antibiotic research and development, diagnostics, antimicrobial stewardship and innovation.
“The World Anti-Microbial Resistance Congress is the world’s largest and most commercially focused gathering of [antimicrobial resistance (AMR)] stakeholders globally,” André Singer, general manager of the World Anti-Microbial Resistance Congress, told Infectious Disease News. “The conference gathers global leaders in infectious diseases to meet, brainstorm and discuss the challenges and opportunities on eight topic areas: policy, antibiotic R&D, antimicrobial stewardship, diagnostics, infection control, manufacturing, vaccines and funding and investment.”
The congress began in 2015 as a way for experts from around the world to meet and discuss strategic approaches for combating AMR. Hospitals, investors, government employees, regulators, international organizations, funding agencies and more will focus on the most pressing issues surrounding AMR through interactive and collaborative discussions.
At this year’s AMR Congress, 600 attendees from more than 40 countries — including 200 speakers — will meet to learn and discuss topics ranging from preclinical, clinical and commercial pathways for antibiotic research and development to novel antimicrobial stewardship initiatives. The keynote address on the first day of the congress, given by Jonathan Van-Tam, BMBS, England’s deputy chief medical officer, will address the United Kingdom’s efforts to combat resistance and create a sustainable commercial environment for existing and future antibiotics. Other keynote panel topics will be presented by Amanda Jezek, senior vice president of public policy and government relations for the Infectious Diseases Society of America; Debra A. Goff, PharmD, FCCP, infectious diseases specialist at Ohio State University College of Pharmacy; Kevin Outterson, JD, LLM, executive director of CARB-X; and others.
“We most look forward to the diversity of all stakeholders coming together to discuss collaborative solutions to tackle antimicrobial resistance locally, regionally and globally,” Singer said. “We also look forward to the very high level discussions and presentations about policy and incentives that will transform the antibiotic, diagnostics and stewardship landscape to tackle antimicrobial resistance effectively, including keynotes from CMS, CARB-X, BARDA, [National Health Service], CDC, Becton Dickinson and T2 Biosystems.”
Infectious Disease News will be onsite in Washington to report on the some of the presentations and discussions at the meeting. Check back regularly at Healio.com/ID for updates. – by Caitlyn Stulpin
Disclosures: Singer is general manager of the World Antimicrobial Resistance Congress.