The European Union has officially launched the Partnership on One Health Antimicrobial Resistance (OHAMR), a €253m research and innovation programme designed to counter the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.
Backed by €75m in co-funding from Horizon Europe, the ten-year initiative marks one of the EU’s most ambitious coordinated efforts to date in tackling this urgent global health challenge.
Commenting on the landmark initiative, Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation said: “Europe is ready to lead in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance.
“This partnership embodies our commitment to step up, innovate, and protect the foundations of modern medicine.”
Why antimicrobial resistance demands action
Antimicrobial resistance, or AMR, occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites adapt and render treatments ineffective.
Misuse of antibiotics, weak infection control, and limited diagnostic tools have all accelerated its rise. The consequences are devastating.
In the EU alone, AMR is responsible for over 35,000 deaths every year, while worldwide figures reached 1.27 million in 2019.
Projections warn of up to 10 million annual deaths by 2050, alongside severe strain on healthcare systems and economic stability.
Building on past achievements
The new partnership builds on more than a decade of European collaboration. The Joint Programming Initiative on Antimicrobial Resistance (JPIAMR) has already invested €180m since 2011, driving forward cross-border research.
Meanwhile, Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe together have contributed €1.18bn to 416 projects focused on improving prevention, detection, and treatment of resistant infections. OHAMR now unites these efforts under a broader and more strategic framework.
A one health approach
Coordinated by the Swedish Research Council, OHAMR brings together 53 organisations from 30 countries.
At its heart lies the ‘One Health’ philosophy, recognising that human, animal, and environmental health are deeply interconnected.
By fostering collaboration across sectors, the programme aims to accelerate practical solutions that reduce both antimicrobial use and resistance.
Planned activities include launching joint transnational research calls, strengthening national research capacity, promoting knowledge translation into practice and policy, supporting better access to AMR data, and aligning European and national actions for maximum impact.
Strengthening Europe’s role in life sciences
The partnership also aligns with the European Strategy for Life Sciences, which seeks to position the EU as the world’s leading hub for health innovation by 2030.
By supporting the development and uptake of new tools and treatments, OHAMR will help Europe remain at the forefront of global AMR research and contribute to the implementation of the 2017 European One Health Action Plan and the 2023 Council recommendations on AMR.
Antimicrobial resistance is a global crisis, but solutions require coordinated local action. Through OHAMR, the EU is sending a clear message: tackling AMR demands long-term investment, international cooperation, and an unwavering commitment to safeguard modern medicine for future generations.
