UKHSA and PACE Release New Bacteria Strains to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance in Research

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), in partnership with Pathways to Antimicrobial Clinical Efficacy (PACE)—a collaboration involving Innovate UK, LifeArc, and Medicines Discovery Catapult—has introduced five new collections of drug-resistant bacteria for researchers to order. This initiative will enable the evaluation of new treatments and diagnostic tests against current antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns observed both in the UK and internationally.

AMR occurs when bacteria adapt to withstand the effects of medications designed to eliminate them, resulting in some infections becoming increasingly difficult to treat. This phenomenon poses one of the most significant challenges to global health. As resistance evolves rapidly, therapies developed for older bacterial strains may prove ineffective against the resistant infections prevalent in hospitals and clinics today.

Enhancing Research Through Contemporary Bacterial Panels

To assess the potential efficacy of new treatments, researchers can test their innovations against a curated panel of bacteria. Historically, limited access to such panels, which often did not represent current resistance trends, has delayed the commencement of research.

The UKHSA has meticulously identified and analysed bacterial samples through its Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections (AMRHAI) Reference Unit, leveraging its expertise in monitoring antimicrobial resistance across the UK. The samples are now accessible via the UKHSA’s National Collection of Type Cultures (NCTC), which is the UK’s oldest collection of medically significant bacteria.

These new panels aim to bridge the existing gap, encompassing 145 bacterial strains predominantly collected in the UK over the past five years. They feature bacteria identified as priority threats by the World Health Organization and include strains associated with urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, and lower respiratory tract infections. While the samples originate from the UK, they mirror global resistance patterns.

Supporting the Development of New Therapeutics

The samples are available through the NCTC, complete with comprehensive scientific data to aid researchers in their work.

Professor Mark Sutton, Scientific Leader for Antimicrobial Resistance at UKHSA, remarked, “Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most pressing health threats globally, and it is imperative that we develop new treatments and diagnostic tests as swiftly as resistance evolves.”

He added, “In collaboration with PACE, we have established a panel of 145 contemporary bacteria, now accessible through our National Collection of Type Cultures. This resource provides researchers with a representative sample of the infections currently encountered in healthcare settings, facilitating the development of improved treatments and diagnostic tests more promptly.”

Removing Barriers for Innovators in AMR

Dr Beverley Isherwood, Strategy Leader for Infectious Diseases at Medicines Discovery Catapult and PACE Programme Director, noted, “The lack of access to consistent and contemporary strain panels has historically hindered AMR innovators, particularly smaller enterprises lacking the resources to obtain them independently.”

She further explained, “By collaborating with UKHSA, we have harnessed world-class UK infrastructure to eliminate this barrier for innovators worldwide, enabling them to develop and validate new diagnostics and therapeutics more efficiently and expedite their journey to clinical application.”