The PASTEUR Act solves by creating unique market incentives.

The PASTEUR Act (H.R. 8920 and S. 4760), a bipartisan bill cosponsored by Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Reps. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.) and Drew Ferguson (R-Ga.), would implement a version of this model.

Under the PASTEUR Act, the federal government would create market incentives for the development of lifesaving antimicrobial drugs. Developers would be paid contractually agreed-upon amounts annually, for a duration ranging from five years up to the antimicrobial’s patent life. The subscription contract eligibility and value would be based on the clinical need and novelty of the drug.

Specifically, such contracts would promote the development of antimicrobials against the most threatening superbugs identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including Candida auris, a fungus, and bacteria such as carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter and Clostridioides difficile. Additionally, PASTEUR contracts would incentivize the development of antimicrobials with novel mechanisms of action and novel structure, creating a powerful arsenal against superbugs, which currently have limited treatment options.

Under this model, patients covered by federal insurance programs like Medicare or Medicaid would have access to these drugs at no additional cost to the government. It is important to note that this is not a giveaway to big pharmaceutical companies because 95% of antimicrobials are developed by small companies.

This approach would position the U.S. as a leader in pandemic preparedness and in the development of drugs with global health importance. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer should help pass the PASTEUR Act, and the Biden administration should favor antimicrobial resistance in its pandemic preparedness strategy.