InnoVet-AMR: Innovative Veterinary Solutions for Antimicrobial Resistance

InnoVet-AMR is aimed at addressing the emerging global threat of antimicrobial resistance by reducing the misuse of antimicrobials in animal production in the Global South.

This four-year, CA$30 million partnership between IDRC and the UK Department of Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) Global AMR Innovation Fund (GAMRIF) is funding research to develop new animal vaccines and other innovations to tackle AMR in livestock and aquaculture production, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Learn more about InnoVet-AMR projects 

The challenge

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animals remains a growing problem that threatens our ability to effectively treat bacterial infections in humans and animals.

Livestock and aquaculture keepers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are highly affected by the increase of infectious disease outbreaks and loss in livestock productivity, which ultimately endangers food security and disrupts international trades. At the same time, the contamination of animal products, and the wider environment, with antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is a risk factor for humans, animals, and the environment.   

In 2016, the UN General Assembly recognized AMR as a global threat that disproportionally affects people in LMICs. The international community was called upon to rise to the complex challenge of AMR and take urgent action.

The initiative

InnoVet-AMR responds to a need identified by the international scientific and development communities. It is supported with high-level policy processes, including the UN political declaration on AMR (2016), G7/20, Global Health Security Agenda and Action Plan, as well as Global Action Plans of the World Health Assembly and the World Organization for Animal Health.

The initiative builds on DHSC’s expertise championing innovation by supporting research and technology to improve lives. It also draws on IDRC’s history as a development research funder with decades of experience building knowledge-focused cross-sector partnerships.

Through InnoVet-AMR, IDRC and DHSC aim to achieve two key objectives:

• Support research that will identify innovative veterinary solutions, including vaccines and alternative solutions, to reduce the use of antimicrobials in livestock and aquaculture operations in LMICs.
• Build effective partnerships to better coordinate discovery, development, and sustainable delivery of innovative veterinary solutions to reduce the use of antimicrobials in livestock and aquaculture operations in LMICs.