• The World Health Organization's (WHO) latest report on antibacterial agents highlights an increase in the number of such agents from 80 in 2021 to 97 in 2023.

• However, despite this growth, there remains a critical need for innovative treatments to address the rising issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

• Only 12 of the 32 antibiotics currently in development are considered innovative, and just 4 of them target the so-called 'critical' pathogens.

• Non-traditional approaches, such as bacteriophages and microbiome-modulating agents, show promise but require further research and regulation.

• Since 2017, only 2 out of 13 new antibiotics have been classified as innovative. 

• The preclinical pipeline remains active, with a focus on Gram-negative pathogens.

• Efforts must be made to ensure that any new treatments developed are accessible globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, in order to effectively combat the growing threat of AMR.

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