To encourage research and development of new antimicrobials, FAST brought the field together by hosting a stakeholder meeting on Tuesday, January 30th. The aim of the gathering was to inform stakeholders, accelerate collaboration, exchange results, and strengthen the ecosystem. To engage all relevant stakeholders, FAST collaborated with VWS, NWO, ZonMw, and RVO to host the event. The stakeholder meeting provided an in-depth exploration of the latest advancements in antimicrobial therapy development. Approximately 100 attendees participated in the event. Among the audience a harmonious blend of expertise from the field representing academia, the private sector, funders, regulators, and policymakers.

The day was kicked off with a plenary session led by Mark Wijsman. Karla van Rooijen, Director of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Technology Department at VWS, opened the meeting with a welcome  speech, emphasizing the government’s commitment to developing new antibiotics. Gilles van Wezel then shared compelling insights into the history and future of networks surrounding antimicrobial therapy development in the Netherlands. The plenary session continued with a presentation on the NACTAR call ‘Preclinical studies 2023’ by Titia Plantinga (NWO),  and three principal investigators of funded projects. Steven Marinus (VWS) elaborated on government policy and the promotion of public-private partnerships through a new KIC call for antimicrobial therapy development. Vincent van Hensbergen  (NWO) further explained the call, after which Jon de Vlieger from Lygature highlighted the strength of public-private partnerships in antimicrobial therapy development through several case studies.

Next the participants engaged in matchmaking sessions focusing on three specific themes: i) new molecules and approaches for antimicrobial therapy developments, ii) mechanisms of action and structure-based design, and iii) new concepts and innovations in therapy development. Moderators facilitated these sessions, aiming to connect participants with similar interests and foster potential collaborations. The day progressed with three breakout sessions. These sessions were organised around the following themes: i) clinical development of antimicrobial agents, ii) opportunities for repurposing and innovations in existing antimicrobial therapies, and iii) novel solutions for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of microbial infections. Each session was expertly led by experienced moderators (Saco de Visser, Mark Wijsman, and Annemiek Verkamman), facilitating deep dives into the topics and providing opportunities to connect with experts.

In the final plenary session on international developments, Laura Piddock (GARDP) and Damiano de Felice (CARB-X) presented inspiring perspectives. This was followed by a lively discussion  addressing challenges and exploring solutions. The day concluded with a brief interview between Mark Wijsman and Daniël Warmerdam (FAST), reflecting on the day’s events, discussing the urgency of the topic, and highlighting key takeaways. The conversation also looked ahead to the future of antimicrobial therapy development and the role FAST can play in it. With a shared commitment to addressing global antibiotic resistance, participants were encouraged to actively contribute to solutions for this urgent worldwide issue.