A new thrust to the fight against antimicrobial resistance

New Delhi, (India Science Wire): In a major boost to efforts to promote research to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), Bengaluru-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with International Health Management Associates (IHMA), a global organisation that has been involved in supporting anti-infective and diagnostic development studies for over 25 years.

Under the pact, C-CAMP and IHMA will jointly facilitate microbiology-related studies for clinical trials, surveillance studies, mentorship programmes and other activities with the view to promote new drug and vaccine discovery in the area of anti-infectives and foster new-age diagnostic device development to address the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance.

C-CAMP is a major bioresearch & innovation hub in the country with a portfolio spread over the entire life sciences spectrum. The Centre’s programme in the area of antimicrobial resistance is designed to identify and accelerate the commercialization of innovations in AMR. Its analytical and technology platforms are accessible to researchers in a service mode.  It is also a member of the CARB-X Global Accelerator Network, a league of 10 top organizations combating antimicrobial resistance across the USA and Europe.

IHMA, in turn, is a global microbiology research laboratory that provides extensive services to support the pharmaceutical industry. Their portfolio comprises more than 250 healthcare institutions globally that can be leveraged to carry out clinical trials and surveillance studies.  It has vast experience with the identification and susceptibility testing of bacterial species. It has a diverse library of clinically relevant phenotypically and genotypically characterized bacterial and fungal isolates that can be used to assist with profiling of anti-infective agents during development.

“AMR is widely acknowledged as the biggest threat to 21st century medicine. As innovators across the world race to develop next generation antimicrobials and vaccines, it is crucial that the regulatory and commercial routes to success for these paths are smooth and obstacle-free. We are delighted to announce that this MoU with IHMA will bring a world-class 360-degree service model to Indian innovators in the drug discovery arena along with exposure to global regulatory standards”, said Dr.TaslimarifSaiyed, C-CAMP’s CEO and Director.

Darcie Carpenter Ph.D., CIC, Director Global Business Development, IHMA welcoming the MoU said “The IHMA Team is very excited about collaborating with C-CAMP.  This MoU with C-CAMP will help provide additional support to Indian innovators to create the next generation antibiotics to fight AMR.” (India Science Wire)