Japanese firm Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited has announced its decision to participate in the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Action Fund (AMR Action Fund) and contribute a total of 20 million US dollars to support the development of therapeutic agents for AMR infectious diseases.

AMR infectious diseases are resistant to existing antimicrobial agents, and without any countermeasures, more than 10 million people worldwide may die from AMR annually by 2050.

The AMR Action Fund, established to promote the development of new antimicrobial agents for AMR, provides technical assistance and invests about 1 billion US dollars for small biotechnology companies to bring 2 to 4 new antibiotics to patients by 2030.

Daiichi Sankyo will participate in the AMR Action Fund to promote the development of innovative antimicrobial agents and contribute to the early resolution of global drug resistance issues.

The AMR Action Fund was established to address drug-resistant bacteria through a partnership with the WHO (World Health Organization), EIB (European Investment Bank), and Welcome Trust based on the concept proposed by the IFPMA (International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers), BCR (Biopharmaceutical CEO Roundtable), and major pharmaceutical companies in the world.

The organization is funded by more than 20 of the world’s major pharmaceutical companies, charity organizations, development banks, and international organizations.