AI and Machine Learning: The New Weapon in the AMR Fight

The threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is growing, with one in six lab-confirmed bacterial infections being drug-resistant, according to the WHO. Projections suggest annual AMR-linked deaths could reach 8.22 million by 2050.

In response, GSK and the Fleming Initiative have formed an alliance introducing six research programmes known as “Grand Challenges” that utilise advanced AI and scientific expertise.

Tony Wood, Chief Scientific Officer at GSK, says: “I’m delighted to combine GSK’s leadership in antimicrobial science with world-leading research at Imperial College London. Together with scaled datasets, emerging drug modalities and models using AI, we will open up new approaches for the discovery of novel antibiotics.”

He adds that GSK will “continue to be a leader in inspiring much more collective action” and sees the partnership as an important new step in that direction.”

Research programmes using AI

The six Grand Challenges are fully funded for three years and set to start in early 2026.

The programmes aim to:

• Supercharge the discovery of antibiotics for resistant Gram-negative bacteria like E. coli.
• Accelerate the development of new antifungal drugs focusing on high-mortality Aspergillus infections.
• Map immune responses to drug-resistant bacteria to inform vaccine development.
• Use AI pathogen surveillance to predict how resistant threats emerge and spread.
• Conduct clinical trials to improve antibiotic stewardship and prescription practices.
• Shape government and societal actions on AMR through policy and research.

Professor Lord Ara Darzi, Head of the Fleming Initiative, highlights the progress made since the partnership was announced: “We have the world-leading expertise, facilities, capacity and vision in place to be able to launch these ambitious Grand Challenges,” he says.

He hopes the research will be a “beacon for the global scientific community and highlight the urgent need for collaborative efforts to tackle the rising global threat of antimicrobial resistance.”

Advanced AI at the core of discovery

At the heart of these programmes is the extensive use of AI and machine learning. Researchers will use supercomputing power to tackle multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.

In collaboration with Imperial College London’s Drug Discovery Hub and Agilent Technologies, teams will build AI models to predict and design new antibiotics. This data will be shared globally to stimulate further discovery.

Advanced AI will also be used to identify vulnerabilities in fungi like Aspergillus to support new treatments.

Claire Lund, Global Vice President of Sustainability at GSK, explains the connection between environmental factors and AMR, noting that warmer climates are accelerating the spread of drug-resistant diseases.

“One of the new research programmes will be using disease surveillance together with environmental data to create AI models that predict how drug-resistant pathogens emerge and spread,” she says.

A framework for global collaboration

The Fleming Initiative, established by Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, brings together scientists, clinicians, policymakers and commercial partners. GSK is its first founding partner with a £45m commitment.

Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, explains: “Tackling the rise of drug-resistant infections can only be done by bringing together a wide range of expertise – from across science, industry and policy alongside public engagement.”

The collaboration will also fund around 50 specialist roles in the UK, addressing a workforce decline in the sector.

Professor Tim Orchard, CEO of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, describes AMR as “one of the biggest challenges we face in the NHS and across the world.” He stresses the urgent need for new solutions, which can only be achieved by pooling expertise.

By integrating scientific innovation with advanced AI and international policy engagement, GSK and the Fleming Initiative aim to redefine the future of the fight against AMR.