The fight against antibiotic resistance requires a unified front. COMBACTE is an unprecedented collaboration between industry ... and academia that tackles the scientific, regulatory, and business challenges hampering the development of new antibiotics. In 2011, the European Commission called for unprecedented collaborative research and development efforts to provide patients with new antibiotics. As a result, the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) launched its New Drugs For Bad Bugs program, of which COMBACTE is a key part. COMBACTE comprises of four main projects: COMBACTE-NET: Combatting bacterial resistance in Europe – Networks The project is dedicated to building strong clinical, laboratory and research networks across Europe. In doing so, the consortium enables more efficient clinical testing of novel antimicrobial drugs. In addition, it performs several of those clinical trials as well. COMBACTE-MAGNET: Combatting bacterial resistance in Europe – Molecules against Gram-negative infections A project that focuses on the most vulnerable category of patients: those who are critically ill and being treated in intensive-care units. Gram-negative bacteria cause most ICU-associated infections. This project aims to find better options to deal with that threat. COMBACTE-CARE: Combatting bacterial resistance in Europe – carbapenem-resistance The project is meeting the challenge of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. In time, our current assortment of antibiotics no longer suffices. This project counters that threat by laying the groundwork for tests of new and more effective treatments. COMBACTE-CDI: Combatting bacterial resistance in Europe - Clostridium difficile Infections Understanding of the epidemiology and clinical impact of Clostridium difficile infection across Europe. The ultimate goal is to contribute to improved prevention and treatment options for such infections that are responsible for extensive morbidity, mortality and health care costs. read more