GSK and the Fleming Initiative have announced six new research programmes to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), backed by £45m in funding and powered by advanced AI.
The Grand Challenges will begin by early 2026 and focus on key threats including Gram-negative bacteria, Aspergillus and Staphylococcus aureus.
Professor Lord Ara Darzi, Executive Chair of the Fleming Initiative, said: “In the 12 months since we announced our landmark partnership between GSK and the Fleming Initiative, a huge amount of progress has been made. Through our convening power, we have the world-leading expertise, facilities, capacity and vision in place to be able to launch these ambitious Grand Challenges.”
Tony Wood, Chief Scientific Officer, GSK, explained: “I’m delighted to combine GSKs leadership in antimicrobial science with world-leading research at Imperial College London. Together, with scaled datasets, emerging drug modalities and AI-driven models, we will open up new approaches for the discovery of novel antibiotics as well as anticipate and outpace the development of resistance to transform the treatment and prevention of serious infections.”
The programmes will fund around 50 UK-based scientific and academic roles and are led by experts from Imperial and GSK. Research themes include antibiotic discovery, fungal drug development, immune response modelling, predictive AI surveillance, clinical trials and policy engagement.
Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, said: “Antimicrobial resistance is a global challenge that no single lab or institution can solve alone. Tackling the rise of drug-resistant infections can only be done by bringing together a wide range of expertise – from across science, industry and policy, alongside public engagement.”
Professor Tim Orchard, chief executive of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, added: “We urgently need new solutions and interventions for tackling drug-resistant infections, which will only be achieved if we pool our expertise.”
