Since their discovery in 1928, antimicrobial medicines have been crucial in treating infections. However, the rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs has created a global health crisis, demanding innovative solutions to protect modern healthcare systems, writes Bada Pharasi, CEO at the Innovative Pharmaceutical Association of South Africa (IPASA)

As one of the top global public health and development hazards, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a looming menace to healthcare worldwide, threatening to unravel decades of medical progress and jeopardising the foundations of modern healthcare.¹ So much so that in 2019, bacterial AMR was directly responsible for as many as 1.27 million global deaths, while contributing to an additional 4.95 million deaths.¹ Alarmingly, recent studies suggest that AMR is expected to kill 10 million people by 2050, and cost the global economy over $100 trillion.²

Arising from the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials, including antibiotics, AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites develop resistance to antibiotics, rendering infections challenging, and sometimes impossible, to treat. This not only heightens the risk of severe illness for patients, potentially resulting in disability or death, but also elevates the likelihood of disease transmission.

In the face of this escalating threat, innovation stands as our most potent weapon. The emergence of digital therapeutics presents a promising frontier in the battle against AMR. By seamlessly integrating with traditional treatments, these digital interventions offer novel approaches to managing infections while minimising the risk of resistance development. To this end, several promising avenues have emerged to combat resistance, including antivirulent therapy, passive immunisation, antimicrobial peptides, vaccines, phage therapy, and botanical and liposomal nanoparticles, which all offer diverse methods to effectively fight infections.³

While these cutting-edge methodologies aim to reduce reliance on antibacterial drugs and alleviate resistance pressure,² there is a dire need to adapt the current regulatory landscape to accommodate these cutting-edge solutions. One of the most innovative means is the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and precision medicine, poised to revolutionise healthcare. Precision medicine methods identify patient phenotypes with unique treatment responses or specific healthcare needs, whereas AI utilises advanced computation to generate insights, enabling reasoning, learning, and enhancing clinician decision-making through augmented intelligence.³

Current research indicates that this convergence will address precision medicine's most challenging issues, particularly those involving genomic and non-genomic determinants, alongside patient symptoms, clinical history, and lifestyles, facilitating personalised diagnosis and prognostication.³

Faced with the threat of AMR, the industry stands at a critical junction to shape the future of healthcare. By collaborating and leveraging digital therapeutics, precision medicine, and innovative treatments, together we can pave the way for a healthier future.

References

1. Antimicrobial resistance [Internet]. [cited 2024 Jun 3]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance
2. Ahmed S, Ahmed MZ, Rafique S, Almasoudi SE, Shah M, Jalil NAC, et al. Recent Approaches for Downplaying Antibiotic Resistance: Molecular Mechanisms. Biomed Res Int [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 Jun 3];2023. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9886476
3. Johnson KB, Wei WQ, Weeraratne D, Frisse ME, Misulis K, Rhee K, Zhao J, Snowdon JL. Precision Medicine, AI, and the Future of Personalized Health Care. Clin Transl Sci. 2021 Jan;14(1):86-93. doi: 10.1111/cts.12884. Epub 2020 Oct 12. PMID: 32961010; PMCID: PMC7877825. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7877825/
4. IFPMA. From resistance to resilience: What could the future antibiotic pipeline look like? Available from: https://www.ifpma.org/publications/from-resistance-to-resilience-what-could-the-future-antibiotic-pipeline-look-like/