About PACE
PACE brings together the best minds in AMR research and connects them to the right funding, the right resources, and the right partnerships. We exist so that researchers at the early stages of drug and diagnostic development can make progress with speed and with confidence, accelerating the delivery of new innovations to tackle AMR.
We are in a race against biology. Bacteria and other microbes are evolving faster than our scientific discoveries and, up until now, the speed of developing new treatments and diagnostics has been too slow. We have a chance to change that. The answer is PACE.
PACE is a new approach to tackling one of our most complex health challenges – antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Our ambition is to work with the AMR community to help progress early-stage antimicrobial drug and diagnostic projects with greater speed, support and confidence – giving the best AMR innovations the greatest chance of success.
PACE will select, invest in and support projects that address the world’s most threatening pathogens. It will deliver innovations for onward development and investment, moving them closer to clinical trials. Working together with the brightest and best to help tackle this rising threat to global health.
PACE was founded in 2023 by LifeArc, Medicines Discovery Catapult, and Innovate UK, with a £30 million programme of funding and support to be deployed over five years.
Millions worldwide are at risk of AMR
We are running out of antibiotic options, as a result of the emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens with new resistance mechanisms. These pathogens threaten our ability to treat common infections, perform major surgery or offer cancer chemotherapy. It means millions of people are susceptible to illness and at risk of dying. More than 1.27 million people died in 2019 as a result of infections caused by resistant bacteria and this is projected to rise to 10 million people per year by 2050. Urgently tackling AMR is a necessity.
Clearing the way for more discoveries
The pipeline of new antimicrobial agents to meet this threat is insufficient. It can take 10-15 years and more than $1 billion USD to develop a new antimicrobial, and as with all medicines, not all will make it. We need more opportunities in the pipeline to ensure new innovative products emerge at the end of the discovery and development process.
It is predominantly academics and small and medium-sized enterprises striving to fill this gap in the early pipeline through innovative new approaches. We are moving to an era when therapeutics will be more selective and potentially targeted to particular pathogens, which means diagnostic tools also play an increasingly important role.
PACE will provide wraparound support for a diverse range of funded projects with the most transformational potential, from targeted treatments to rapid diagnostics and other innovative developments driven by the community.
The people who died in 2019 as a result of infections caused by resistant bacteria
The new antibacterials approved worldwide since 2017, with only 1 from a new class, insufficient to address the health emergency
The preclinical pipeline which is being developed by small, medium enterprises and academic institutions
We want to hear from innovators with ideas to tackle AMR
Great ideas need great starts. Working with the community, PACE aims to nurture a pipeline of high-quality antimicrobial drugs and diagnostics aligned with unmet needs. PACE will provide innovative researchers in Academia and SMEs the funding, advice and support they need to develop their early-stage ideas ready for onward progression and investment.
Those who are successful and secure funding will receive guidance and support to align their AMR asset with the right progression pathway. They will be plugged into a collaborative network of experts and partners to help develop their AMR assets at pace. Facilitating collaboration and empowering our innovators to make a lasting contribution to patient health.
Apply for Funding
Meet the PACE Team
Across our three Managing Partners we have selected the very best people to run PACE. We have created a team that has deep expertise in AMR and far-reaching connections across the health sector.
Dr. Bev Isherwood
PACE Programme Director
As PACE Programme Director, Dr. Bev Isherwood will oversee strategic direction, deployment and operational translation of PACE.
Dr. Clive Mason
PACE Programme Director
As PACE Programme Director, Dr. Clive Mason will oversee strategic direction of PACE and establish strong scientific engagement with the AMR community.
Dr. Pete Coombs
Scientific Lead
As a PACE Scientific Lead, Dr. Pete Coombs will support and manage the PACE project portfolio, collaborative delivery partner network and collaborative R&D portfolio.
Dr. Neill Gingles
Scientific Lead
As a PACE Scientific Lead, Dr. Neill Gingles will support and manage the PACE project portfolio, collaborative delivery partner network and collaborative R&D portfolio.
Dr. Tanja Taylor
Scientific Lead
As a PACE Scientific Lead, Dr. Tanja Taylor will oversee pipeline development and diligence of the PACE project portfolio of ventures and collaborative R&D projects.
Dr. Elena Breidenstein
R&D Advisor
As a PACE R&D Advisor, Dr. Elena Breidenstein will work closely with PACE funded project teams to help them access the right support at the right time.
Fair governance
Experts in AMR, innovation and early-stage translation will be closely involved in the governance and management of the PACE fund to make sure funds are awarded in a way that is most effective for the industry and most fair and inclusive for applicants and delivery partners.
Working with us
If you are an innovator in AMR, then we can increase the pace of your research and make sure it has the best chance of succeeding. PACE will bring together the right funding, resources, and partnerships to help progress early-stage antimicrobial drug and diagnostics projects that address the world’s most threatening pathogens. Learn more about how we can help you.
Apply for Funding
George Freeman MP
Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology,