Antibiotic Research UK welcomes new INEOS Oxford Institute to combat antimicrobial resistance as an important step forward

York, UK, 19th January 2021 / Sciad Newswire / The University of Oxford today announced that it is creating a new AMR research institute to tackle the problem of antibiotic resistance thanks to a £100 million donation from the INEOS petrochemical company. Professor Colin Garner, Antibiotic Research UK’s Chief Executive, welcomed the news saying, ‘The creation of the new institute is a ringing endorsement of the urgent need to do more research into the development of new treatments to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and its impact on human health. We look forward to collaborating with the new institute and extending our relationship with the University beyond the research projects that we have already funded.’ 

He continued, ‘£100 million is an important step but still a relatively small one in the context of antibiotic drug discovery. A recent report¹ stated that to get one new antibiotic to the market costs over £1 billion. We need billions of pounds to make a significant impact. Antibiotic resistance is a major public health problem killing at least 700,000 people a year globally and if not addressed now, antibiotic resistance is forecast to kill 10 million people a year around the world by 2050.’

Antibiotic Research UK (ANTRUK) takes a holistic view of the problem of antibiotic resistance through its very active support programme for patients with resistant infections. ANTRUK also runs a vital education programme to inform the public and healthcare professionals about the dangers of the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, and funds a wide range of basic and applied research in collaboration with scientists around the UK. Working with the best experts from around the Country, ANTRUK is ideally placed to support national programmes and initiatives. 

Professor Garner concluded, ‘Research is for the long haul and that is why our charity is focused on both long-term research programmes and the here and now of patient support which has become more important than ever during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our charity relies on public funds - If you want to help us tackle the problem of antibiotic resistance today please donate, become a member, volunteer or assist Antibiotic Research UK in any way you can.’

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About Antibiotic Research UK
The world’s first charity and only charity focussed on tackling bacterial antibiotic resistance. The charity’s mission is to develop new antibiotic treatments, educate the public about resistance and provide patient support. Since its formation in 2014, the charity has funded research, supported academic groups in universities and employed the country’s first Patient Support Officer focussed on supporting patients with an antibiotic resistant infection. The charity relies wholly on public donations and receives no government support.

You can learn more about Antibiotic Research UK at www.antibioticresearch.org.uk

For further information
Please contact Emma Pickup/Richard Anderson on 020 3405 7892 or email media@antibioticresearch.org.uk

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1. https://amr.solutions/2020/03/06/what-does-an-antibiotic-cost-to-develop-what-is-it-worth-how-to-afford-it/