How collaboration can help tackle drug-resistant infections
Tackling drug-resistant infections requires more research, surveillance and better data. Dr Mo Yin explains how the ADVANCE-ID network is taking on this challenge in Asia – and why collaboration is vital to its success.
Dr Mo Yin
3-minute read
Dr Mo Yin
3-minute read
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Drug-resistant infections are a serious threat to health around the world.
Over a million people die each year from drug-resistant infections, which happen when drugs like antibiotics that are meant to kill microbes become less effective. This number could increase to nearly two million per year by 2050.
How can we tackle this urgent problem?
We need more research, surveillance and better data, as well as a robust antibiotic development ecosystem to prevent, treat and control infectious diseases.
Collaboration is vital to all of this. That's why we established ADVANCE-ID, a clinical trial network in Asia that fosters effective regional collaboration and sharing of expertise to tackle drug-resistant infections head-on.
Strengthening research capacity in Asia through a multi-country network
The ADVANCE-ID network aims to strengthen Asia's research capacity to study drug-resistant infections and infectious disease.
Funded by multiple institutions, including Wellcome, it officially launched in March 2023. It’s comprised of over 50 hospitals across Asia and beyond, through which we will conduct cost-effective, high-quality clinical trials to guide clinical practice.
By engaging clinicians, academics, governments and industry, we can develop solutions to improve patient outcomes and clinical access for people living with drug-resistant infections.
Our goal is to foster long-term relationships, trust and shared ownership among partners and collaborators in the region to ultimately improve human health.
Dr Mo Yin speaking during the ADVANCE-ID launch symposium.
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ADVANCE-ID network
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Empowering local partners to conduct high-quality research
ADVANCE-ID operates across the globe with a focus on Asia.
Asia is a highly diverse region that accounts for over 50% of the world's population. Antibiotic consumption across the continent is high, and so is antimicrobial resistance. Yet, good-quality research and evidence into drug-resistance in the region is lacking. This makes it an ideal base for a clinical trial network that seeks to advance awareness and understanding.
To start, we have completed a large-scale surveillance study across 19 countries in Asia, and enrolled more than 10,000 patients with severe bacterial infections. We hope to use this opportunity to gather data on:
- the types of drug-resistant bacteria harming patients
- the antibiotics used to treat these infections
- the clinical outcomes, including functional loss and quality of life, affected by these drug-resistant infections
Through this extensive study, we plan to provide resources to hospitals throughout the region and empower local investigators to conduct high-quality research so that we can tackle these problems in Asia together.
Dr Mo Yin and the ADVANCE-ID team visit the Xuzhou First People’s Hospital in China for a site engagement and feasibility assessment for the TREAT-GNB platform trial. The hospital director (left) shows the team around the hospital, including the ICU, medical wards and microbiology lab.
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ADVANCE-ID network
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We’re laying the groundwork to better prepare for future pandemics
We feel really privileged to be able to lead the ADVANCE-ID network in Asia and test out existing and novel treatment solutions with our industrial and academic partners. Through this work, we hope to incorporate a sense of unity and strong research capability in the region while improving data sharing and cooperation between partners.
The work we're doing through ADVANCE-ID will go beyond tackling drug-resistant infections to improve overall infectious disease response, control and preparedness. By doing so, we hope to establish a foundation for research that will enable us to prepare for and tackle future pandemics should they happen.
Dr Mo Yin
Physician and a clinician scientist
National University Hospital of Singapore
Dr Mo Yin is an Infectious Diseases physician and clinician scientist based at National University Hospital of Singapore. She has designed and conducted large multinational clinical trials which focus on finding pragmatic solutions for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. She is driven by the ideal of using quality clinical research to improve patient outcomes and propel global policies.
This article was first published in 'Behind the Research', our LinkedIn newsletter sharing insights and stories from experts in global health research.
