Antibiotic Resistance: How Technologies Can Stem this Global Health Trend

Since their advent in the 1940s, antibiotics have saved millions of lives. But their overuse in animals and humans has led to the development of antibiotic-resistant infections and “superbugs.” Currently, 700,000 infectious disease-related deaths occur every year, and without collective action to change this, the number of deaths per year could reach 10 million by 2050. Investing in innovative medicines and technologies can help facilitate action against antibiotic resistance. For example, more ‘resistible’ antibiotics can improve animal health and products that diversify infants’ gut microbiota can provide lifelong protection.

The World Bank declared investing in resources to contain antibiotic resistance as one of the highest-yielding investments one can make. The projected reduction of global annual gross domestic product (GDP) as a result of antibiotic resistance ranges from 1 to $3.4 trillion through 2030. The need for impact investors to focus on antibiotic resistance goes beyond returns, as public health and the global economy are on the line.

This Boundless webinar features Dr. Margaret Riley of the University of Massachusetts, Sam Kass of Acre Venture Partners, the venture arm of Campbell’s Soup, and two up-and-coming companies: Tim Brown of Evolve BioSystems and Joe Crabb of ImmuCell. Don’t miss this exciting discussion on how investors can help curb this ecological and public health crisis.