Report underscores inadequate antibiotic pipeline

A recent WHO report says the pipeline for antibacterials is insufficient to meet the threat of antimicrobial resistance. Meanwhile, the panel deciding whether Mexico’s plan to ban biotech corn violates the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement is expected to meet this week. (605 words, 3 minutes, 1 second)

WHO report underscores inadequate antibiotic pipeline

The pipeline for antibacterials is insufficient to meet the threat of antimicrobial resistance, says a World Health Organization (WHO) report released June 14.

The numbers: 97 antibacterial agents are currently under development—57 “traditional agents” (small molecule drugs) and 40 “non-traditional agents,” says the report. Sixty of these target WHO’s Bacterial Priority Pathogens List, outlining the greatest threats.

Why it matters: With AMR bacteria contributing to nearly 5 million deaths annually, we need novel antimicrobial treatments to fight drug-resistant infections. However, the market for these drugs is broken.

What they’re saying: “Overall, antibacterial agents in the clinical pipeline combined with those approved in the last six years are still insufficient to tackle the ever growing threat of the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections,” says the WHO report.

BIO agrees: “Antimicrobial resistance truly is one of the leading public health threats of our time,” Emily Wheeler, BIO’s Senior Director of Infectious Disease Policy, recently told the LA Times. “The pipeline for antibiotics today is already inadequate to address the threats that we know about, without even considering the continuous evolution of these bugs as the years go on.”

What’s next: The UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on antimicrobial resistance in September offers an opportunity for global action against AMR. Experts say that meeting should discuss the critical need for push and pull mechanisms to support antimicrobial drug development, like those proposed for the U.S. in the PASTEUR Act.

The I am BIO Podcast explores the issue. Listen here.

USMCA panel on Mexico corn ban to begin this week

The panel deciding whether Mexico’s plan to reject biotech corn violates the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is expected to hold a hearing on June 26 and June 27.

The background: A Mexican presidential decree, updated in February 2023, would phase out U.S. biotech corn imports this year. The U.S. challenged the ban as unscientific and a violation of the USMCA, asking a USMCA dispute panel to rule on the case.

The latest on Mexico’s position: Mexican President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo will continue plans for the ban when she takes over on Oct. 1, incoming Agriculture Secretary Julio Berdegué said last week.

Why it matters: Besides economic harm to Mexico and the United States, the ban would have a devastating impact on agricultural innovation needed to achieve our climate goals and ensure we can meet the world’s growing demand for food, BIO said in comments to the USMCA panel.

“The presidential decree was not motivated based on scientific evidence, old or new,” said BIO, one of the few non-governmental organizations invited to provide input to the panel.

The reality: Mexico’s imports of U.S. corn have hit daily records, and droughts in Mexico are expected to drive a record season of U.S. sales to Mexico—real-world evidence of how higher yield, drought-proofed biotech corn can enhance food security.

What’s next: The U.S. and Mexico were scheduled to present arguments before the USMCA panel in Mexico City starting tomorrow. The panel’s initial report is expected in September, and the final report in November, the Congressional Research Service said.

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Delaware Live: $3 million pilot program to find, train people for STEM jobs
“A new 3-year pilot program bolstered by federal and state money will recruit and train Delawareans in STEM skills needed for basic laboratory and advanced biomanufacturing jobs….The newly formed Delaware Center for Life Science Education and Training, was created by the Delaware BioScience Association two years after it released a report with the Delaware Prosperity Partnership that identified the need to invest in the development of a diverse, prepared and resilient workforce to ensure future life science industry growth.”

President Biden’s Tuesday: At Camp David for debate prep, per The Washington Post.

What’s Happening on Capitol Hill: Appropriations work continues.