Innovate UK, LifeArc and Medicines Discovery Catapult to accelerate early-stage innovation in antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
PACE will focus on removing barriers and connecting the AMR ecosystem to accelerate and strengthen the pre-clinical AMR pipeline.
The initiative aims to establish a platform for UK-based early-stage research and development (R&D) projects in medicine discovery and diagnostics, making them more attractive for investment and readily available for medical treatments.
The initiative is backed by £30 million of funding and will continue until October 2026.
AMR is one of the biggest health challenges we face as a global society, and it is currently developing faster than the speed of our scientific discoveries.
Without action, the success of modern medicine in treating infections is at risk and by 2050 as many as 10 million people could die each year as a result of AMR (PDF, 2.3MB).
AMR is predicted to result in a cumulative economic loss of approximately $100 trillion from the global GDP by 2050, if no solution is found.
PACE will make it easier to progress new tests and treatments, giving the very best AMR innovations the greatest chance of succeeding.
Innovators will be given access to new funding opportunities, together with advice, expertise and support.
PACE has launched its first funding opportunity today this week. Up to £10 million in grant funding is available to support up to 12 projects focused on developing new treatments for the most threatening microbes and resistance mechanisms.
Projects are expected to last up to two years, with total funding of up to £1 million per project. Expressions of interest are invited by 24 November, and an informational webinar will be held on 31 October for interested parties.
Find out more about the PACE and keep an eye on future funding opportunities, click here.
