Public commenters urge federal 'pull' incentives and workforce support for novel antimicrobials

Eli Briggs, director of public policy at the Infectious Diseases Society of America, told the council that existing market dynamics discourage development of narrow-spectrum and microbiome-sparing antimicrobials and urged a federal financing mechanism that “delinks payment for novel antimicrobials from the volume of antimicrobials used.”

Amelia Gerste of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization and Marilyn Bruno of Aequor echoed Briggs, arguing that pull incentives such as contracting models in the bipartisan PASTEUR Act would give developers predictable returns while supporting stewardship. Briggs also asked Congress and HHS to reauthorize and fund the Bio-Preparedness Workforce Pilot Program to address shortages among researchers, physician-scientists and microbiologists that limit AMR work. No formal motions or votes were taken; these comments were submitted as public input for PACCARB deliberations.