Strategic Priorities for Research on Antibiotic Alternatives in Animal Agriculture—Results From an Expert Workshop

Abstract

The emergence, spread, and expansion of antibiotic resistance and increasing restrictions on the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture have created a need for efficacious alternatives that remains unmet. Prioritizing research needs in the development of alternatives is key to ensuring that scarce research resources are dedicated to the most promising approaches. However, frameworks to enable a consistent, systematic, and transparent evaluation of antibiotic alternative candidates are lacking. Here, we present such an evaluation framework.

Last Call for Replacement of Antimicrobials in Animal Production: Modern Challenges, Opportunities, and Potential Solutions

“…Unfortunately, there are many factors that limit the rapid introduction of alternatives. In 2018, a workshop on strategic priorities for research of antibiotic alternatives in animal agriculture was held [ 43 ]. Experts analyzed priority research strategies for antibiotic alternatives by assessing critical points and economic determinants of the market success of products.…”

“…As indicated by the experts, the most important ones include limited public and private sector funding for research on antibiotic alternatives. The insufficient interest in this type of research is associated with the expectation of obtaining confirmation of the positive effects of tested products that are already at an early stage of research [ 43 ]. Other factors contributing to the success of the product include economic availability for farmers and veterinary doctors, which is associated with higher production, handling, and distribution costs.…”

“…The mechanism of action of such new alternatives should be clear, and their use (dosage, stability, and storage) should be easy and transparent for both the veterinarian and the farmer. Implementation of an alternative should not interfere with the production cycle and should not extend the treatment process (prolonging the time without milk production or suspension of the export of animals or products due to occurrence of infectious disease) [ 43 ].…”

Effects of GroBiotic®-A supplementation on growth performance, body composition and liver and intestine histological changes in European Seabass (Dicentrarchus Labrax) juveniles

“…Aquaculture is the fastest growing animal farming sector in the last 30 years, providing food to the world and contributing increasingly to sustainable economic growth (Bjørndal et al, 2019). In commercial facilities, the need to produce more in the culture system leads to undesirable consequences for the fish, which weakens the immune system of the fish and eventually leads to disease outbreaks (Kurt et al, 2019). In commercial aquaculture, different antibiotics were used together with feeds for the prevention and treatment of bacterial diseases of aquatic animals (Vechklang et al, 2012).…”

Alternatives to Antibiotics: A Symposium on the Challenges and Solutions for Animal Health and Production

“…Furthermore, these products must be brought to the marketplace in a rapidly changing scientific and regulatory environment that follows the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic. While the safety and efficacy of alternatives to antibiotics are clearly paramount, consideration must also be given to reducing barriers to market entry for new products; the development of categories and standards for new products and classes of compounds; and the use of “non-standard” approaches such as validated model studies [ 83 , 84 ]. In response to these needs, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has developed a system to facilitate the development of novel alternatives to antibiotics, in which it works in partnership with sponsors to identify pathways for approval early in development.…”