AMR Bio Contributes to US National Action Plan on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
AMR Bio has submitted written comments to the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB) ahead of the Council’s 27th public meeting on 16 June 2026, contributing to the next iteration of the US National Action Plan on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (NAP-CARB).
The revival of PACCARB, which had been inactive since early 2025 and provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of State & Human Services ( HHS) in the US, marks an important moment for the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) community. It signals renewed political commitment in the United States to tackling antibiotic resistance, bringing together industry, regulators and policymakers to address this growing challenge and accelerate access to new preventative and therapeutic solutions.
AMR Bio’s submission, made by Executive Chair Nigel Brooksby, sets out a series of recommendations for its next iteration, including calls for infection prevention to be prioritised as a core AMR strategy and elevated to the same strategic level as antibiotic development. Preventing infections before they occur is among the most effective ways to reduce antibiotic consumption and slow the spread of resistance. The submission also calls for federal policy to expand its support beyond traditional systemic antibiotics to include topical antimicrobials and other novel preventive technologies, and for new incentive frameworks that reward prevention-based innovation alongside treatment.
Central to the submission is XF-73, AMR Bio’s first-in-class topical antimicrobial, which has demonstrated rapid bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA, while exhibiting a low propensity for resistance development. Its novel mechanism of action differentiates it from conventional antibiotics and supports its potential to prevent infections, aid antibiotic stewardship, and reduce the transmission of resistant organisms – directly addressing the objectives at the heart of the National Action Plan.
Nigel Brooksby, Executive Chair of AMR Bio, commented:
“The revival of PACCARB is a welcome and important development, and we are pleased to have contributed AMR Bio’s perspective at this pivotal stage of the National Action Plan. The United States has a critical role to play in driving global progress against antimicrobial resistance, and policymakers have an opportunity to create an environment that supports the development and adoption of innovative new approaches. We look forward to attending the virtual meeting on 16 June and continuing our engagement with US stakeholders as we advance the XF-73 programme.”