Exclusive KOL Insights from Wellcome, Roche, MIT, CARB-X, AMR Action Fund | WXPRESS November Edition

November 19, 2024

November brings awareness to two significant health observances: World Diabetes Day and World Antimicrobial Awareness Week. While diabetes research and treatment have garnered substantial focus and progress, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains a critical yet underrepresented challenge. The World Health Organization (WHO) projects AMR to surpass cancer as the leading cause of death by 2025. Patients with various conditions, including cancer and those undergoing surgeries, also continue to depend on effective antibiotics.

In this edition of WXPRESS, we highlight conversations on how to tackle the AMR challenge with leading experts: Tim Jinks, Head of Infectious Disease Interventions at Wellcome; Henry Skinner, CEO of AMR Action Fund; Erin Duffy, Chief of Research & Development at CARB-X; Michael Lobritz, Global Head of Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Area at Roche Pharma Research & Early Development; and Jim Collins, Termeer Professor of Medical Engineering and Science at MIT.

These conversations on AMR build on our recent insights on Healthy Aging and Cancer. Together, we can tackle global health challenges through collaboration and innovation.

NEWS

WuXi AppTec welcomed over 800 new customers this year so far, and received several prestigious recognitions lately. We were named the Global CRDMO Company of the Year by Frost & Sullivan for the eighth consecutive year and ranked #1 in the global Life Sciences Tools & Services sector in the 2024 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA). Our Couvet manufacturing site in Switzerland received a silver medal by EcoVadis, a leading business sustainability rating provider.

At the recent annual WuXi Night, we celebrated the spirit of collaboration with over 200 industry leaders, including esteemed speakers from SwedenBIO, Swiss Biotech Association, Sofinnova Partners, and AdBio Partners. We are grateful for the continued partnership and look forward to building upon this momentum to further support the pharmaceutical and life sciences ecosystem in Europe.

SPOTLIGHT

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most critical global health challenges of the 21st century. The WHO warns that by 2050, AMR could cause 10 million deaths annually, surpassing cancer as the leading cause of death. A Lancet study this September estimated that bacterial AMR contributed to 4.71 million deaths in 2021—equivalent to 1 in every 16 deaths globally. WuXi AppTec is committed to supporting global efforts to combat this global health challenge through our industry-leading infectious disease enabling platform. During the 2022 WuXi Healthcare Forum, we spotlighted AMR as part of our “Call to Action” theme. As this week marks the World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (November 18-24), it is important to revisit the topic and recognize the urgent need for worldwide collaboration to combat this escalating health issue.

FEATURED

2024 – A Pivotal Year for AMR Global Action: A Conversation with Dr. Tim Jinks, Head of Infectious Disease Interventions at Wellcome

At the forefront of the global fight against AMR is Tim Jinks, the Head of Infectious Disease Interventions at Wellcome. Tim has been pioneering global strategies to address AMR, focusing on interventions that span policy, scientific research, and public awareness. As we enter what Wellcome describes as a “pivotal year” for AMR action, Dr. Jinks shares his insights on the priorities needed to sustain progress, and how collaboration can help turn the tide in this growing health crisis.

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Investing in a Sustainable Future for Antibiotics: A Conversation with Dr. Henry Skinner, CEO of AMR Action Fund

As AMR continues to threaten global health, the AMR Action Fund, led by CEO Dr. Henry Skinner, is driving a monumental $1 billion initiative to combat this crisis. With a focus on late-stage clinical development—where funding needs are greatest and treatments are closest to reaching patients—Dr. Skinner shares his insights on the challenges and solutions, along with a call to action for building a sustainable future for antibiotics.

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Strengthening Early-Stage AMR Innovation: A Conversation with Dr. Erin Duffy, Chief of Research & Development at CARB-X

As the AMR health challenge intensifies, CARB-X (Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator) plays a pivotal role in tackling this issue by focusing exclusively on early innovation. Founded to reinvigorate a stalled pipeline, CARB-X’s mission is to advance groundbreaking products that can prevent, diagnose, and treat bacterial infections, addressing AMR from its roots. We spoke with Dr. Erin Duffy, Chief of Research & Development at CARB-X, about the organization’s frontline role in combating AMR, its strategic priorities, and the challenges and opportunities ahead.

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Combating the “Silent Pandemic”: A Conversation with Dr. Michael Lobritz, Global Head Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Area, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development

With a rich history in both pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, Roche is uniquely positioned to tackle AMR from multiple angles. We spoke with Dr. Michael Lobritz, Global Head Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Area, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development (pRED), where he leads discovery and early clinical development for Roche’s antibiotics portfolio. Dr. Lobritz’s insights highlight Roche’s leadership and innovation including breakthroughs like the development of zosurabalpin, as recently published in Nature.

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Technology at the Forefront in Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance: A Conversation with Dr. Jim Collins, Termeer Professor of Medical Engineering and Science at MIT

With AMR looming as one of the greatest public health challenges, Dr. Jim Collins, the Termeer Professor of Medical Engineering and Science at MIT, has once again broken new ground. Dr. Collins is a pioneer in synthetic biology and in applying artificial intelligence to antibiotic discovery, bringing a fresh, high-tech perspective to a critical challenge. His recent research, published in Nature, demonstrates how AI can unlock new ways to discover antibiotics—a groundbreaking step toward combating drug-resistant bacteria.

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COMMUNITY

Innovating for Impact: The Evolving Landscape of AMR Therapeutics

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is emerging as a major global health issue. A WHO study warns that by 2050, AMR could cause 10 million deaths annually, surpassing cancer as the leading cause of death. As we approach World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (November 18-24), it is crucial to revisit the landscape of AMR drugs development.

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World Diabetes Day: A Tribute to the Breakthrough Therapies That Transform Diabetes Care

Building on the momentum of the World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2024, we pay tribute to the extraordinary efforts of the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors in developing innovative therapies that are revolutionizing diabetes treatment and improving the quality of life for millions of patients.

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EVENTS

WuXi Executive Breakfast in Basel: The Most Important Innovation in Drug R&D May Be How the Industry Works Together

Reflections from the WuXi Executive Breakfast at Swiss Biotech Day

May 11, 2026

As lifespans lengthen, the next frontier is clear: narrowing the gap between how long we live and how long we live well. In this edition, we explore healthy aging through four complementary lenses: drug development, investment, lifestyle, and policy.

October 30, 2025

Turning scientific insight into real-world impact is one of the most important tasks in medicine. In this month’s edition, we feature voices from pharma, biotech, academia, and ecosystem leadership—all shaping how innovation advances in today’s global health landscape.

June 18, 2025

Breakthroughs in medicine don’t happen in isolation – they are driven by a shared commitment to innovation and collaboration for patients. In this fresh edition of WXPRESS, we hear from the distinguished leaders who truly embody this spirit.

March 4, 2025

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Exclusive KOL Insights from Wellcome, Roche, MIT, CARB-X, AMR Action Fund | WXPRESS November Edition

EVENTS

NEWSLETTER