Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation (API) and Antimicrobial Resistance – One Health Consortium (OHC) have entered a memorandum of understanding to develop the relationship between antimicrobial research and drug development. Per the agreement, API and OHC will explore opportunities to collaborate on an ongoing basis and support each other’s efforts in the development of a broader innovation ecosystem. The collaboration includes opportunities for cross-training students through work experience, offering training program participation, and engagement of respective areas of expertise on project components.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, are exposed to antibiotic drugs and evolve to resist the treatment. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics are the leading contributing factors to AMR. Partnering with drug research and development teams opens new opportunities to explore effective treatments and prevention tools for drug-resistant microorganisms.[1]
“AMR is a global threat that is increasing in severity and classified by the World Health Organization as one of the most important threats to public health. To better understand this pandemic and how we can better control it, it is crucial to take a One Health approach for the benefit of humans, animals, and the environment,” said Herman Barkema, Scientific Director, Antimicrobial Resistance – One Health Consortium. “The AMR – One Health Consortium is a pan-Alberta research program that brings together nearly 200 researchers and their trainees across 11 partnering institutions to contribute to a future where AMR is contained. We approach our research and training initiatives using a transdisciplinary, multi-sectoral One Health approach. Through additional partnerships with international researchers, industry partners, and organizations such as API, we can continue to develop innovative solutions for containing AMR.”
“This partnership provides innovators with access to antimicrobial expertise, a key resource in the development of effective antibiotic treatments. Partnerships like the one we have with OHC create more paths and opportunities for innovators to stay and grow their businesses and solutions in Canada, strengthening the Canadian supply chain and creating jobs in the process,” added Andrew MacIsaac, CEO, Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation.
About the partners:
Antimicrobial Resistance – One Health Consortium is a research and policy platform to prevent and contain the spread of antimicrobial resistance through an interdisciplinary, multi-sectoral One Health approach. The Consortium involves collaborations with 3 universities and 4 other post-secondary institutions across the province, and also works to serve as a strategic linkage between the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary.
Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation is a not-for-profit that works in collaboration with the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences as well as research and post-secondary institutions across Canada in a network that includes global top 15 expertise in applied pharmaceutical sciences and commercial drug development, with the stated goal of building a sustainable and vibrant pharmaceutical sector in Canada and establishing Alberta as a world-leading hub for life sciences innovation and commercialization.
[1] World Health Organization. (2020, October 13) Antimicrobial Resistance. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance.