Today, the Community for Open Antimicrobial Drug Discovery (CO-ADD) hosted representatives from the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership (GARDP).

CO-ADD team with GARDP represenatives Manica Balasegaram, Jennifer Katz and Paul Field  

GARDP is as a joint initiative by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) based in Geneva, Switzerland. The mission of the not-for-profit research and development (R&D) initiative is to develop new antibiotic treatments addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to promote their responsible use for optimal conservation, while ensuring equitable access for all in need.

GARDP works closely with all stakeholders in the field of antibiotic R&D – including pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, start-ups, other product development partnerships, academia, civil society, and health authorities – from countries of all income levels – to develop new antibiotic treatments.

The CO-ADD team hosted GARDP’s Director Manica Balasegaram, Head of Development Jennifer Katz, and their Australian representative Paul Field.

CO-ADD’s Program Coordinator Mark Blaskovich led the visit at The University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) Centre for Superbug Solutions. The visit included a tour of the CO-ADD labs and screening process. Microbiology and Screening Program Coordinator Alysha Elliott demonstrated compound receipt, handling, preparation and plating. Logistics and Chemoinformatics Program Coordinator Johannes Zuegg finished the visit with an overview of CO-ADD database capabilities including data management and analysis.

Left to Right: CO-ADD team Gabrielle Lowe, Mark Blaskovich and Alysha Elliott conducting the lab tour with GARDP represenatives

GARDP representatives were then hosted by CO-ADD, Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre and UQ’s Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Høj for an overview on UQ's Strategic view and support of AMR research.

GARDP representatives meet with The University of Queensland officials and experts working in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research.

GARDP’s visit to UQ and CO-ADD is part of a national week-long tour of Australian AMR research.