US President Joe Biden is set to announce a $100 million research initiative to combat deadly drug-resistant bacteria. This comes as more than a million people worldwide die each year from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In the US alone, over 35,000 people die annually due to these infections. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics have led to the rise of “superbugs”, prompting a need for new antibiotics. The research will be led by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), and it will be their largest investment to date.
Joe Biden’s $100 Million Plan to Combat Drug-Resistant ‘Superbugs’
The announcement of the $100 million research initiative to combat drug-resistant bacteria will be made by US President Joe Biden during a meeting in San Francisco. The initiative aims to address the global problem of antibiotic resistance, which causes millions of deaths annually. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics have contributed to the rise of “superbugs” that are resistant to existing treatments. The research will be led by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), a government research agency launched by Biden and Congress. The investment in this initiative will be the largest to date for ARPA-H.
Addressing Antibiotic Resistance
One of the main reasons for the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is the misuse and overuse of antibiotics. With the COVID-19 pandemic, more people have been hospitalized and treated with antibiotics, leading to increased exposure to infections. Global health officials have repeatedly warned about the misuse of antibiotics, as it encourages the evolution of microorganisms into “superbugs”. The $100 million research initiative aims to develop new antibiotics to combat these drug-resistant bacteria and discourage the overuse of existing antibiotics.
ARPA-H Leading the Research
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) will be at the forefront of the $100 million research initiative. ARPA-H is a government research agency launched by President Joe Biden and Congress last year. This initiative will mark their largest investment to date, highlighting the importance of addressing antibiotic resistance. By investing in research and development, ARPA-H aims to find new solutions to combat drug-resistant bacteria and protect public health.
