How GSK & the Fleming Initiative Use AI Against AMR

One in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections is caused by drug-resistant bacteria according to the latest WHO GLASS Report (October 2025). Annual deaths linked to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could surge to 8.22 million by 2050, representing a staggering 74.5% increase from 2021 levels.

GSK and the Fleming Initiative have announced an alliance to confront the mounting threat of AMR, launching six pioneering research programmes – dubbed “Grand Challenges” – that harness advanced AI and the world’s leading scientific expertise. 

“I’m delighted to combine GSK’s leadership in antimicrobial science with world-leading research at Imperial College London,” says Tony Wood, Chief Scientific Officer, GSK.

“Together, with scaled datasets, emerging drug modalities and AI-driven models, we will open up new approaches for the discovery of novel antibiotics as well as anticipate and outpace the development of resistance to transform the treatment and prevention of serious infections.

“Currently, GSK has a promising portfolio of relevant assets in development, many targeting pathogens identified as priorities by WHO and US CDC. We will continue to be a leader in inspiring much more collective action, across industry, academia and policy and I believe our partnership with the Fleming Initiative is an important new step in that direction.”

The Grand Challenges

Fully funded for three years and commencing early 2026, the programmes span six key research areas:

• Supercharging antibiotic discovery for Gram-negative bacteria, notorious for formidable cell defenses and resistance tactics exemplified by E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
• Accelerating new antifungal drug development, starting with Aspergillus infections, notorious for high ICU mortality rates and compounded by growing resistance.
• Mapping immune system responses to drug-resistant bacterial threats like Staphylococcus aureus, with the goal of informing vaccine innovation.
• AI-driven pathogen surveillance, leveraging disease and environmental data to predict how drug-resistant threats emerge and spread.
• Clinical trials for antibiotic stewardship, aiming to revolutionize prescription practices for improved outcomes.
• Policy, engagement, and research acceleration, using international insights to shape government, societal, and preventative AMR actions.

“In the 12 months since we announced our landmark partnership between GSK and the Fleming Initiative, a huge amount of progress has been made,” says Professor Lord Ara Darzi, Head of the Fleming Initiative. 

“Through our convening power, we have the world-leading expertise, facilities, capacity and vision in place to be able to launch these ambitious Grand Challenges.

“Today, in the shadow of 80 years since the Nobel prize for the discovery of penicillin, we’re delighted to see this research progress. We hope this research will be a beacon for the global scientific community and highlight the urgent need for collaborative efforts to tackle the rising global threat of antimicrobial resistance.”

Advanced AI at the core

At the heart of these initiatives is an ambitious use of AI and machine learning. In collaboration with Imperial College London’s Drug Discovery Hub and Agilent Technologies, researchers are applying supercomputing power to one of AMR’s toughest scientific puzzles: breaking the defenses of multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. 

Teams will develop novel datasets on diverse molecules and build AI models that can predict and design new antibiotics, with data shared globally to catalyse new drug discovery efforts.

In antifungal research, advanced AI will help pinpoint vulnerabilities in deadly fungi like Aspergillus, aiming to support the development of critically needed new treatments as resistance rises and current options result in dangerously high mortality rates.

“Two of the biggest challenges we face – climate change and AMR – are more connected than you might realise,” says Claire Lund, Global Vice President Sustainability at GSK. 

“Warmer climates and disrupted ecosystems are accelerating the spread of drug-resistant infectious diseases. 

 “One of the new research programmes will be using disease surveillance together with environmental data to create AI models that predict how drug-resistant pathogens emerge and spread.”

Collaboration for progress

The Fleming Initiative – established by Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust – unites scientists, clinicians, policymakers, public and commercial partners. With GSK as its first founding partner and a £45m (US$58.86m) commitment, the Initiative is tackling AMR through shared networks, interdisciplinary expertise and a drive to create equitable solutions on a global scale.

“Antimicrobial resistance is a global challenge that no single lab or institution can solve alone,” shares Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London. 

“Tackling the rise of drug-resistant infections can only be done by bringing together a wide range of expertise – from across science, industry and policy, alongside public engagement. This is convergence science in action and will ensure antimicrobials continue to work for future generations.”

The collaboration, funding around 50 specialist roles primarily in the UK, will revitalise a sector challenged by workforce decline, as highlighted in the 2024 AMR Industry Alliance report “Leaving the Lab”. 

By combining scientific innovation with advanced AI and international policy engagement, GSK and the Fleming Initiative are setting out to redefine the future fight against AMR.

“Antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest challenges we face in the NHS and across the world,” explains Professor Tim Orchard, Chief Executive of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. 

“Drug-resistant infections are increasingly difficult to treat and pose a growing risk to patients. We urgently need new solutions and interventions for tackling drug-resistant infections, which will only be achieved if we pool our expertise. These ambitious research initiatives are a fantastic example of this type of collaboration and how the Fleming Initiative will benefit both local and global communities.”