$4.9 million awarded to combat antimicrobial resistance on a global scale

3 August 2022

$4.9 million awarded to combat antimicrobial resistance on a global scale

Australian Research Council (ARC) today launched the ARC Research Hub to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance, which aims to take on the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance through a world-first partnership between Australia’s best researchers, industry, international research institutes and end users.

Antimicrobial resistance is when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.

The Research Hub will receive $4.9 million in ARC funding over a 5-year period under the latest round of the Industrial Transformational Research Program (ITRP), with an additional $6.9 million in cash and in-kind contributions from participating organisations.

Based at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), the Research Hub will focus on Australia and neighbouring countries as part of the global effort to develop cost-effective ways to identify new antimicrobials, ultimately aiming to transform social and health outcomes globally.

ARC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ms Judi Zielke, said collaboration is key to addressing global challenges such as antimicrobial resistance.

“The purpose of the Industrial Transformational Research Program is to encourage university-based researchers and industry to work collaboratively to find solutions for complex problems such as microbial resistance in a range of industries,” Ms Zielke said.

“The work of the ARC Research Hub to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance will place Australian researchers and industry at the forefront of the very important work of addressing this problem around the world.” 

The Research Hub brings together 6 Australian universities and 12 national and international industry and other partners.

It will have a particular focus on addressing current science and commercial challenges faced by industry with an ultimate aim of commercialising new testing and diagnostic applications.

Media Contact:

ARC Communications 0412 623 056 or communications@arc.gov.au