#United States #Detroit #Antimicrobial Resistance #Henry Ford Health #bioMérieux

bioMérieux and Henry Ford Health Host a Groundbreaking Summit on Antimicrobial Resistance

In a proactive effort to combat the rising menace of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the U.S., bioMérieux, a global frontrunner in in vitro diagnostics, collaborated with Henry Ford Health to convene a pivotal summit on September 30 and October 1, 2025. This significant event took place at the Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport and was centered around accelerating diagnostics-driven stewardship and policy measures to effectively address AMR.

Understanding Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance has been identified as one of the most pressing health challenges globally, demanding immediate and coordinated action from various sectors. In the U.S., over 2.8 million infections attributed to AMR are reported annually, leading to approximately 35,000 deaths. The financial burden of treating these dangerous infections exceeds $4.6 billion annually. Alarmingly, AMR is projected to surpass cancer as a leading cause of mortality by 2050 unless strategic interventions are implemented swiftly.

The Summit's Purpose and Outcomes

The summit gathered leading experts in infectious diseases, microbiologists, public health officials, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. Encouraging open dialogues about the realities of AMR, the participants aimed to lay the groundwork for collaborative solutions that transcend the summit itself.

Jennifer Zinn, the Executive Vice President of Clinical Operations at bioMérieux, shared her insights on the summit's ambition. "As a leader in infectious diseases diagnostics, we aim to illustrate that diagnostics play an essential role in altering the AMR trajectory and enhancing clinical outcomes. By uniting key stakeholders from various healthcare sectors, public health leaders, and policymakers, we're moving from evidence to practice," stated Zinn.

Linoj Samuel, the Division Head for Clinical Microbiology at Henry Ford Health, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to patient safety and well-being. He noted that with their national leadership in antimicrobial and diagnostic stewardship, they are dedicated to sharing practices that promote responsible, evidence-based approaches for better patient outcomes.

Spotlight on Diverse Perspectives

The summit highlighted diverse viewpoints from various experts in the field. Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir, a faculty member from the University of California San Diego's Skaggs School of Pharmacy, pointed out that marginalized individuals often seek care at outpatient settings, where inadequate diagnostic resources can lead to missed opportunities in managing infections effectively. Integrating diagnostics into these stewardship programs was deemed vital for improving patient outcomes.

Robert J. Tibbetts, Ph.D., from Henry Ford Health, brought attention to the parallels drawn between human and veterinary medicine concerning antibiotic usage. With 80 percent of antibiotics in the U.S. being utilized for animal health, Tibbetts advocated for collective efforts in establishing stewardship programs across both sectors.

Amanda Harrington, Ph.D., reiterated a critical concern: current norms see up to half of antibiotics prescribed inappropriately. She stressed the urgent need for diagnostics as a powerful tool to mitigate AMR, declaring, "We must act now. Time is running out in the battle against AMR."

Geehan Suleyman, M.D., added that strategic diagnostic stewardship could enhance diagnostic accuracy, diminish unnecessary testing, and optimize treatment. He applauded the use of clinical decision tools integrated into electronic health records, which reduce hospital-acquired infections while maintaining cost-effectiveness and sustainability.

About bioMérieux

Founded in 1963, bioMérieux has become a world leader in in vitro diagnostics, operating in 45 countries and serving over 160 nations through a vast distributor network. With a revenue of €4 billion in 2024, more than 93% of their sales occur outside France, contributing to their mission to enhance patient health and ensure food safety through precise diagnostic solutions. More details can be found at www.biomerieux.com.

Conclusion

The summit marks a crucial step in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. By fostering collaboration among top healthcare leaders and industry stakeholders, bioMérieux and Henry Ford Health are laying the foundations for effective stewardship practices that promise to improve health outcomes for individuals and communities across the nation.