Driving Progress in Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

Accelerating innovation to tackle Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is one of the fastest-developing threats to global health. By 2050, AMR is projected to cause over 39 million deaths , with drug-resistant infections already making common illnesses much harder to treat. Urgently rethinking how we tackle AMR is now a necessity, as without effective antibiotics and diagnostics, modern medicine is at risk.

Resistance evolves faster than we can respond. Most antibiotic classes were discovered in the mid-20th century. Today, the development of new antimicrobials and diagnostics remains too slow, often hindered by technical, regulatory, and commercial barriers. To stay ahead of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, we need to rethink how we discover, develop, and deliver antimicrobial innovation.

What we are doing about Antimicrobial Resistance

We recognise the importance of AMR, as laid out in the 20-year vision to tackling the problem and the second 5-year National Action Plan on AMR published in 2024.

The UK is leading the way in pricing reform for antibiotics and has a strong position in vaccine discovery and development as well as basic research in infectious disease.

We are delivering impact in AMR by:

Supporting early-stage innovation by working with academic and SME partners.
Streamlining translational pathways to de-risk development of new antimicrobials and diagnostics
Creating alignment through stakeholder engagement, funding, and technical platforms.
Focusing on unmet patient needs, driving solutions where
treatment options are limited or ineffective.

A graphic showing the logos of CF AMR Syndicate and PACE

How MDC addresses global challenges

As a life sciences service, we strategically align scientific expertise, industry, charities, and patients to address global challenges for specific diseases or technologies.

We collaboratively develop national programmes, focused on delivering impact where support is needed to improve patients’ lives.

A well plate of cells is being placed in an incubator

PACE (Pathways to Antimicrobial Clinical Efficacy)

A £30 million initiative founded by Innovate UK, LifeArc, and Medicines Discovery Catapult, PACE is part of the UK’s National Action Plan on AMR.

It aims to remove barriers and connect the AMR R&D community, accelerating early-stage development of therapeutics and diagnostics through targeted support and strategic alignment.

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CF AMR Syndicate

Jointly led by Medicines Discovery Catapult, Cystic Fibrosis Trust and LifeArc, the CF AMR Syndicate unites experts in infection, inflammation and immunity with people living with cystic fibrosis.

Together, we’re creating a platform for next-generation diagnostics and therapies in chronic respiratory infections—tailored to the needs of patients with CF and broader lung conditions.

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Dr Beverley Isherwood

Partnership Lead

Beverley has responsibility for setting up and providing strategic and scientific leadership and direction for MDC’s infectious disease Syndicate portfolio, including the CF AMR Syndicate.

Bev has extensive experience in the development and delivery of collaborative research consortia bringing together experts from different sectors to shape research agendas and drive research efforts focused on unmet needs including working with and supporting SMEs who are developing the next generation of medicines for patients. The current focus is on shaping an ecosystem of partnerships in Infectious Disease working with colleagues internally and across the sector to help accelerate medicines development in this area.

MDC representative on the cross-Catapult Research and Technology Group. Bev has extensive experience in drug discovery across a broad range of disease indications and therapeutic modalities having previously held leadership roles in the biopharmaceutical industry. Bev is an Associate Editor for SLAS Discovery, and holds an MA (Natural Sciences) from Cambridge University and a PhD in Molecular Virology from the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research. Member of the Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals with CA-AM accreditation.

Constance Takawira

Partnership Manager

Constance joined the team as the Partnership Manager for the CF AMR Syndicate. Constance’s main background is in clinical pharmacy, working both in the UK and in New Zealand.

During her time in New Zealand, she specialised in respiratory medicine and served as a member of the antimicrobial stewardship committee. Her current focus is on building and supporting the CF AMR Network and the UK CF Infection Biorepository to further the cross-collaborative medicines discovery vision at the heart of the Syndicate.

Constance holds a MPHARM in Pharmacy from the University of Brighton and an MSc in Global Health from Gothenburg University.