New EU4Health contract to develop a medical device for rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing

On behalf of the European Commission, HaDEA has signed a contract with a consortium of European companies to develop a groundbreaking diagnostic device that will provide antimicrobial susceptibility results on bacteria within an hour.  

A major driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the unnecessary or incorrect use of antibiotics, which often depends on the limited speed and accuracy of tests to which patients with a suspected infection are subjected. This new device will help clinicians choose the appropriate treatments for patients who might need antibiotics, therefore reducing the risks associated with AMR. Funded under the EU4Health programme, the contract was signed for a total amount of €8 850 000 and will last 4 years.  

The signature of this contract is in line with the European Commission’s top priority of identifying threats resulting from antimicrobial resistance. Thanks to this initiative, EU4Health is filling the gap in the development of rapid antimicrobial susceptibility solutions, thereby reducing barriers to use in healthcare settings and helping clinicians choosing the appropriate treatments for patients. 

Background 

EU4Health is the fourth and largest of the EU health programmes. The EU4Health programme goes beyond an ambitious response to the COVID-19 crisis to address the resilience of European healthcare systems. The programme provides funding to national authorities, health organisations and other bodies through grants and public procurement, contributing to a healthier Europe. HaDEA manages the vast majority of the total EU4Health budget and implements the programme by managing calls for proposals and calls for tenders from 2021 to 2027.