Is the pharmaceutical industry responding to the challenge of increasing bacterial resistance?

Abstract

There is general agreement that bacterial resistance is a growing problem that needs immediate attention, especially when one considers that the current antibacterial pipeline is probably inadequate to meet future needs. To complicate this problem, many large pharmaceutical companies are either leaving the anti-infective field or decreasing commitments to new antibacterial drug discovery. The purpose of this brief report is to focus on some of the more important issues involved and to examine the roles of biotechnology companies and small pharmaceutical companies in addressing this growing problem. There is a definite need for innovative solutions involving new paradigms that include roles for biotechnology companies, small and big pharmaceutical companies, and possible innovative governmental support to adequately address the need for novel antibacterial agents in the future.