Summary
The primary objective of the 2024 Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on New Antibacterial Discovery and
Development (NADD) and its associated Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) is to address the urgent demand for
new, effective antibacterial drugs. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the potential for infectious diseases to
significantly impact society. Despite the historical success of antibiotics, the increasing prevalence of drug-
resistant bacteria has not diminished the threat they pose. While many conferences focus on a single aspect of
the antibacterial crisis— e.g., virulence mechanisms of specific bacteria, new chemistries enabling novel inhibitor
design, or the use of new drugs in clinical practice, the 2024 GRC on NADD is positioned at the intersection of
basic science, drug development, and government partnerships. It uniquely creates a multi-disciplinary
environment where attendees can define and explore pathways to generate the next generation of safe and
effective antibacterial drugs.
Despite the lessons from COVID-19 and the growing threat of drug-resistant bacteria, large pharmaceutical
companies continue to exit the antibacterial field while small biotechnology companies struggle with unique
economic challenges related to antibacterial commercialization. Meanwhile, much of the excitement in the
infectious diseases space has shifted toward novel vaccine technologies for viral infections. Although these
advances may eventually benefit drug-resistant bacterial infections, they do not diminish the need for innovative,
safe, and effective direct-acting antibacterial drugs. Consequently, fostering a community of scientists dedicated
to innovation and calculated risk-taking in this field is more critical than ever. The 2024 GRC and GRS will offer
opportunities for critical thinking on the latest findings and technological advancements in the field of antibacterial
discovery and, importantly, will allow cross-disciplinary learning from recent challenges and successes in the
ongoing fight against bacterial drug resistance.
Previous GRCs on NADD have fostered a collaborative atmosphere in a typically competitive scientific
landscape. Building on this tradition, the 2024 GRC and GRS will focus on three main areas: 1) exploring new
technologies to identify new druggable targets, novel inhibitors, and approaches to improve target accessibility,
2) identifying challenges and solutions for progressing molecules from proof-of-concept hits to bonafide lead
molecules or development candidates, and 3) learning from recent clinical successes and setbacks.
The ultimate goal of the 2024 GRC and GRS is to establish and maintain a scientific ecosystem with expertise
covering the entire spectrum of the antibacterial discovery and development process. By cultivating such
communities, we can ensure that the next generation of antibacterial medicines will be available to address the
growing threat of drug-resistant bacteria.