Superbug Crisis Looms: Urgent Need for New Antimicrobials & Health Solutions
The dire prediction of millions of deaths and trillions in economic costs due to superbugs (antibiotic resistance) by 2050 signals a massive and urgent global health crisis. This is not merely a medical problem but an impending economic and societal catastrophe, creating an immense market for innovative solutions.
Commercial/Marketing Opportunities:
- Pharmaceutical R&D Acceleration: Huge demand for investment and breakthrough drug discovery in new classes of antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and alternative therapies like phage therapy or gene-editing solutions for bacterial infections.
- Advanced Diagnostic Tools: Development of rapid, accurate point-of-care diagnostic tests to quickly identify resistant strains, enabling targeted treatment, reducing unnecessary antibiotic use, and tracking outbreaks.
- Infection Control & Public Health Tech: Innovation in hospital sanitation, smart hygiene solutions, AI-driven outbreak prediction, and remote monitoring technologies to prevent the spread of resistant pathogens.
- Preventative Health Initiatives: Development and marketing of new vaccines for common bacterial infections, as well as research into microbiome health and prebiotics/probiotics that boost natural immunity against infections.
- Risk Mitigation & Consulting: Consulting services and insurance products tailored to help healthcare systems, governments, and businesses prepare for and mitigate the economic and health burdens of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
Origin Reddit Post
r/futurology
Superbugs could kill millions more and cost $2tn a year by 2050, models show | Research on burden of antibiotic resistance for 122 countries predicts dire economic and health outcomes
Posted by u/chrisdh79•07/21/2025
Top Comments
u/Nearing_retirement
May decrease the debt as those bug usually kill older people so no more social security payments for them.
u/Nearing_retirement
May decrease the debt as those bug usually kill older people so no more social security payments for them.
u/swerv925
So nice, another thing to look forward to by 2050 besides robot overlords and flying cars that still get stuck in traffic. Now we even have to consider the possibility of being taken out by s
u/beachfinn
The grandest question get asked often “if you have to minimize human impact and fundamentally work together, how would you choose them?”. It occurred to me during Covid SARS 19, that there we
u/s0cks_nz
As more people die from superbugs the profit motive for a new abx will be there.
u/risk_is_freedom
Maybe - but we're also on the brink of so many new breakthrough discoveries. I will be curious to see what unfolds in the next 25 years. And on top of that, the integration of advanced quantu
u/Tacosaurusman
I say let's have Shell pay for it, they've extracted plenty of wealth putting us in this mess. (Not gonna happen, I know.)
u/Wandering-Zoroaster
Where is it stated that it’s the same bird flu in both cases?
In regards to viruses being patented, I’d take a look at this:
https://www.reuters.com/article/world/fact-check-list-of-us-pat
u/Acrobatic-Limit-9497
During the cold war, the russians developped an alternative technique to antibiotics : bacteriophagy . these are simply virusses that destroy pathenogenic bacteria . (bacteria like all other
u/oblivion476
It's difficult to even get people to take basic, established vaccines these days. Good luck educating and convincing these same people about the basics of bacterial resistance.
u/Brainjacker
There’s no investment in antibiotics because it’s not a money-maker therapeutic, and health and R&D have largely become for-profit enterprises. We haven’t seen a new class of abx in over
u/risk_is_freedom
Maybe - but we're also on the brink of so many new breakthrough discoveries. I will be curious to see what unfolds in the next 25 years. And on top of that, the integration of advanced quantu
u/FuturologyBot
The following submission statement was provided by /u/chrisdh79:
---
From the article: Superbugs could cause millions more people to die worldwide and cost the global economy just under $2t
u/Brain_Hawk
2001 called and wants it's dire predictions back.
Be prepared. Be aware..don't catastrophize.
u/FuturologyBot
The following submission statement was provided by /u/chrisdh79:
---
From the article: Superbugs could cause millions more people to die worldwide and cost the global economy just under $2t
u/Brain_Hawk
2001 called and wants it's dire predictions back.
Be prepared. Be aware..don't catastrophize.
u/oblivion476
It's difficult to even get people to take basic, established vaccines these days. Good luck educating and convincing these same people about the basics of bacterial resistance.
u/Ok_Fig705
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/04/10/301432633/scientists-publish-recipe-for-making-bird-flu-more-contagious
Friendly reminder Sam Altman from chatgpt built his underground b
u/Qikly
I get the general point of the article's framing that even if you're a cold economist, these global health programs are worthwhile investments, but damn is it skewed to present it through tha
u/beachfinn
The grandest question get asked often “if you have to minimize human impact and fundamentally work together, how would you choose them?”. It occurred to me during Covid SARS 19, that there we
u/chrisdh79
From the article: Superbugs could cause millions more people to die worldwide and cost the global economy just under $2tn a year by 2050, modelling shows.
A UK government-funded study shows
u/s0cks_nz
Yeah I agree. I hate that saving lives is profit driven.
u/Brainjacker
There’s no investment in antibiotics because it’s not a money-maker therapeutic, and health and R&D have largely become for-profit enterprises. We haven’t seen a new class of abx in over
u/castironglider
I feel like covid was a training drill to teach me how to minimize contact with others during a pandemic while still having a decent life.
It turns out being comfortable with your own comp
u/StateChemist
Thanks it had been some time since I considered this flavor of apocalypse.
Adding it to the others.
u/Nearing_retirement
May decrease the debt as those bug usually kill older people so no more social security payments for them.
u/FuturologyBot
The following submission statement was provided by /u/chrisdh79:
---
From the article: Superbugs could cause millions more people to die worldwide and cost the global economy just under $2t
u/chrisdh79
From the article: Superbugs could cause millions more people to die worldwide and cost the global economy just under $2tn a year by 2050, modelling shows.
A UK government-funded study shows
u/Acrobatic-Limit-9497
During the cold war, the russians developped an alternative technique to antibiotics : bacteriophagy . these are simply virusses that destroy pathenogenic bacteria . (bacteria like all other
u/chrisdh79
From the article: Superbugs could cause millions more people to die worldwide and cost the global economy just under $2tn a year by 2050, modelling shows.
A UK government-funded study shows
u/FuturologyBot
The following submission statement was provided by /u/chrisdh79:
---
From the article: Superbugs could cause millions more people to die worldwide and cost the global economy just under $2t
u/Brain_Hawk
2001 called and wants it's dire predictions back.
Be prepared. Be aware..don't catastrophize.
u/StateChemist
Thanks it had been some time since I considered this flavor of apocalypse.
Adding it to the others.
u/chrisdh79
From the article: Superbugs could cause millions more people to die worldwide and cost the global economy just under $2tn a year by 2050, modelling shows.
A UK government-funded study shows
u/StateChemist
Thanks it had been some time since I considered this flavor of apocalypse.
Adding it to the others.
u/StateChemist
Thanks it had been some time since I considered this flavor of apocalypse.
Adding it to the others.
u/Cantleman
Might be better to get them ready before that is the case
u/swerv925
So nice, another thing to look forward to by 2050 besides robot overlords and flying cars that still get stuck in traffic. Now we even have to consider the possibility of being taken out by s
u/Cantleman
Might be better to get them ready before that is the case
u/Brainjacker
There’s no investment in antibiotics because it’s not a money-maker therapeutic, and health and R&D have largely become for-profit enterprises. We haven’t seen a new class of abx in over
u/Qikly
I get the general point of the article's framing that even if you're a cold economist, these global health programs are worthwhile investments, but damn is it skewed to present it through tha
u/castironglider
I feel like covid was a training drill to teach me how to minimize contact with others during a pandemic while still having a decent life.
It turns out being comfortable with your own comp
u/swerv925
So nice, another thing to look forward to by 2050 besides robot overlords and flying cars that still get stuck in traffic. Now we even have to consider the possibility of being taken out by s
u/Wandering-Zoroaster
Where is it stated that it’s the same bird flu in both cases?
In regards to viruses being patented, I’d take a look at this:
https://www.reuters.com/article/world/fact-check-list-of-us-pat
u/TheRappingSquid
>R&D have largely become for-profit enterprises.
But muh invisible hand.. w-will guide us to prosperity 🥺🥺
u/Wandering-Zoroaster
Where is it stated that it’s the same bird flu in both cases?
In regards to viruses being patented, I’d take a look at this:
https://www.reuters.com/article/world/fact-check-list-of-us-pat
u/FuturologyBot
The following submission statement was provided by /u/chrisdh79:
---
From the article: Superbugs could cause millions more people to die worldwide and cost the global economy just under $2t
u/s0cks_nz
Yeah I agree. I hate that saving lives is profit driven.
u/Qikly
I get the general point of the article's framing that even if you're a cold economist, these global health programs are worthwhile investments, but damn is it skewed to present it through tha
u/risk_is_freedom
Maybe - but we're also on the brink of so many new breakthrough discoveries. I will be curious to see what unfolds in the next 25 years. And on top of that, the integration of advanced quantu
u/Nearing_retirement
May decrease the debt as those bug usually kill older people so no more social security payments for them.
u/swerv925
So nice, another thing to look forward to by 2050 besides robot overlords and flying cars that still get stuck in traffic. Now we even have to consider the possibility of being taken out by s
u/oblivion476
It's difficult to even get people to take basic, established vaccines these days. Good luck educating and convincing these same people about the basics of bacterial resistance.
u/TheRappingSquid
>R&D have largely become for-profit enterprises.
But muh invisible hand.. w-will guide us to prosperity 🥺🥺
u/risk_is_freedom
Maybe - but we're also on the brink of so many new breakthrough discoveries. I will be curious to see what unfolds in the next 25 years. And on top of that, the integration of advanced quantu
u/Brain_Hawk
2001 called and wants it's dire predictions back.
Be prepared. Be aware..don't catastrophize.
u/beachfinn
The grandest question get asked often “if you have to minimize human impact and fundamentally work together, how would you choose them?”. It occurred to me during Covid SARS 19, that there we
u/Wandering-Zoroaster
Where is it stated that it’s the same bird flu in both cases?
In regards to viruses being patented, I’d take a look at this:
https://www.reuters.com/article/world/fact-check-list-of-us-pat
u/s0cks_nz
Yeah I agree. I hate that saving lives is profit driven.
u/beachfinn
The grandest question get asked often “if you have to minimize human impact and fundamentally work together, how would you choose them?”. It occurred to me during Covid SARS 19, that there we
u/Ok_Fig705
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/04/10/301432633/scientists-publish-recipe-for-making-bird-flu-more-contagious
Friendly reminder Sam Altman from chatgpt built his underground b
u/Brain_Hawk
2001 called and wants it's dire predictions back.
Be prepared. Be aware..don't catastrophize.
u/s0cks_nz
Yeah I agree. I hate that saving lives is profit driven.
u/swerv925
So nice, another thing to look forward to by 2050 besides robot overlords and flying cars that still get stuck in traffic. Now we even have to consider the possibility of being taken out by s
u/Qikly
I get the general point of the article's framing that even if you're a cold economist, these global health programs are worthwhile investments, but damn is it skewed to present it through tha
u/Ok_Fig705
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/04/10/301432633/scientists-publish-recipe-for-making-bird-flu-more-contagious
Friendly reminder Sam Altman from chatgpt built his underground b
u/s0cks_nz
Yeah I agree. I hate that saving lives is profit driven.
u/Brain_Hawk
2001 called and wants it's dire predictions back.
Be prepared. Be aware..don't catastrophize.
u/Nearing_retirement
May decrease the debt as those bug usually kill older people so no more social security payments for them.
u/Cantleman
Might be better to get them ready before that is the case
u/beachfinn
The grandest question get asked often “if you have to minimize human impact and fundamentally work together, how would you choose them?”. It occurred to me during Covid SARS 19, that there we
u/Tacosaurusman
I say let's have Shell pay for it, they've extracted plenty of wealth putting us in this mess. (Not gonna happen, I know.)
u/Ok_Fig705
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/04/10/301432633/scientists-publish-recipe-for-making-bird-flu-more-contagious
Friendly reminder Sam Altman from chatgpt built his underground b
u/Nearing_retirement
May decrease the debt as those bug usually kill older people so no more social security payments for them.
u/Brainjacker
There’s no investment in antibiotics because it’s not a money-maker therapeutic, and health and R&D have largely become for-profit enterprises. We haven’t seen a new class of abx in over
u/Ok_Fig705
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/04/10/301432633/scientists-publish-recipe-for-making-bird-flu-more-contagious
Friendly reminder Sam Altman from chatgpt built his underground b
u/Wandering-Zoroaster
Where is it stated that it’s the same bird flu in both cases?
In regards to viruses being patented, I’d take a look at this:
https://www.reuters.com/article/world/fact-check-list-of-us-pat
u/StateChemist
Thanks it had been some time since I considered this flavor of apocalypse.
Adding it to the others.
u/Tacosaurusman
I say let's have Shell pay for it, they've extracted plenty of wealth putting us in this mess. (Not gonna happen, I know.)
u/Wandering-Zoroaster
Where is it stated that it’s the same bird flu in both cases?
In regards to viruses being patented, I’d take a look at this:
https://www.reuters.com/article/world/fact-check-list-of-us-pat
u/Wandering-Zoroaster
Where is it stated that it’s the same bird flu in both cases?
In regards to viruses being patented, I’d take a look at this:
https://www.reuters.com/article/world/fact-check-list-of-us-pat
u/TheRappingSquid
>R&D have largely become for-profit enterprises.
But muh invisible hand.. w-will guide us to prosperity 🥺🥺
u/FuturologyBot
The following submission statement was provided by /u/chrisdh79:
---
From the article: Superbugs could cause millions more people to die worldwide and cost the global economy just under $2t
u/Cantleman
Might be better to get them ready before that is the case
u/s0cks_nz
Yeah I agree. I hate that saving lives is profit driven.
u/Wandering-Zoroaster
Where is it stated that it’s the same bird flu in both cases?
In regards to viruses being patented, I’d take a look at this:
https://www.reuters.com/article/world/fact-check-list-of-us-pat
u/Tacosaurusman
I say let's have Shell pay for it, they've extracted plenty of wealth putting us in this mess. (Not gonna happen, I know.)
u/Qikly
I get the general point of the article's framing that even if you're a cold economist, these global health programs are worthwhile investments, but damn is it skewed to present it through tha
u/risk_is_freedom
Maybe - but we're also on the brink of so many new breakthrough discoveries. I will be curious to see what unfolds in the next 25 years. And on top of that, the integration of advanced quantu
u/s0cks_nz
As more people die from superbugs the profit motive for a new abx will be there.
u/beachfinn
The grandest question get asked often “if you have to minimize human impact and fundamentally work together, how would you choose them?”. It occurred to me during Covid SARS 19, that there we
u/Cantleman
Might be better to get them ready before that is the case
u/Cantleman
Might be better to get them ready before that is the case
u/chrisdh79
From the article: Superbugs could cause millions more people to die worldwide and cost the global economy just under $2tn a year by 2050, modelling shows.
A UK government-funded study shows
u/Brainjacker
There’s no investment in antibiotics because it’s not a money-maker therapeutic, and health and R&D have largely become for-profit enterprises. We haven’t seen a new class of abx in over
u/Cantleman
Might be better to get them ready before that is the case
u/castironglider
I feel like covid was a training drill to teach me how to minimize contact with others during a pandemic while still having a decent life.
It turns out being comfortable with your own comp
u/swerv925
So nice, another thing to look forward to by 2050 besides robot overlords and flying cars that still get stuck in traffic. Now we even have to consider the possibility of being taken out by s
u/FuturologyBot
The following submission statement was provided by /u/chrisdh79:
---
From the article: Superbugs could cause millions more people to die worldwide and cost the global economy just under $2t
u/Brainjacker
There’s no investment in antibiotics because it’s not a money-maker therapeutic, and health and R&D have largely become for-profit enterprises. We haven’t seen a new class of abx in over
u/s0cks_nz
As more people die from superbugs the profit motive for a new abx will be there.
u/chrisdh79
From the article: Superbugs could cause millions more people to die worldwide and cost the global economy just under $2tn a year by 2050, modelling shows.
A UK government-funded study shows
u/chrisdh79
From the article: Superbugs could cause millions more people to die worldwide and cost the global economy just under $2tn a year by 2050, modelling shows.
A UK government-funded study shows
u/StateChemist
Thanks it had been some time since I considered this flavor of apocalypse.
Adding it to the others.
u/StateChemist
Thanks it had been some time since I considered this flavor of apocalypse.
Adding it to the others.
u/Brain_Hawk
2001 called and wants it's dire predictions back.
Be prepared. Be aware..don't catastrophize.
u/risk_is_freedom
Maybe - but we're also on the brink of so many new breakthrough discoveries. I will be curious to see what unfolds in the next 25 years. And on top of that, the integration of advanced quantu
u/chrisdh79
From the article: Superbugs could cause millions more people to die worldwide and cost the global economy just under $2tn a year by 2050, modelling shows.
A UK government-funded study shows
u/Brain_Hawk
2001 called and wants it's dire predictions back.
Be prepared. Be aware..don't catastrophize.
u/Tacosaurusman
I say let's have Shell pay for it, they've extracted plenty of wealth putting us in this mess. (Not gonna happen, I know.)
u/swerv925
So nice, another thing to look forward to by 2050 besides robot overlords and flying cars that still get stuck in traffic. Now we even have to consider the possibility of being taken out by s
u/beachfinn
The grandest question get asked often “if you have to minimize human impact and fundamentally work together, how would you choose them?”. It occurred to me during Covid SARS 19, that there we
u/TheRappingSquid
>R&D have largely become for-profit enterprises.
But muh invisible hand.. w-will guide us to prosperity 🥺🥺
u/castironglider
I feel like covid was a training drill to teach me how to minimize contact with others during a pandemic while still having a decent life.
It turns out being comfortable with your own comp
u/TheRappingSquid
>R&D have largely become for-profit enterprises.
But muh invisible hand.. w-will guide us to prosperity 🥺🥺
u/Tacosaurusman
I say let's have Shell pay for it, they've extracted plenty of wealth putting us in this mess. (Not gonna happen, I know.)
u/Brain_Hawk
2001 called and wants it's dire predictions back.
Be prepared. Be aware..don't catastrophize.
u/TheRappingSquid
>R&D have largely become for-profit enterprises.
But muh invisible hand.. w-will guide us to prosperity 🥺🥺
u/chrisdh79
From the article: Superbugs could cause millions more people to die worldwide and cost the global economy just under $2tn a year by 2050, modelling shows.
A UK government-funded study shows
u/castironglider
I feel like covid was a training drill to teach me how to minimize contact with others during a pandemic while still having a decent life.
It turns out being comfortable with your own comp
u/risk_is_freedom
Maybe - but we're also on the brink of so many new breakthrough discoveries. I will be curious to see what unfolds in the next 25 years. And on top of that, the integration of advanced quantu
u/beachfinn
The grandest question get asked often “if you have to minimize human impact and fundamentally work together, how would you choose them?”. It occurred to me during Covid SARS 19, that there we
u/Qikly
I get the general point of the article's framing that even if you're a cold economist, these global health programs are worthwhile investments, but damn is it skewed to present it through tha
u/swerv925
So nice, another thing to look forward to by 2050 besides robot overlords and flying cars that still get stuck in traffic. Now we even have to consider the possibility of being taken out by s
u/TheRappingSquid
>R&D have largely become for-profit enterprises.
But muh invisible hand.. w-will guide us to prosperity 🥺🥺
u/s0cks_nz
Yeah I agree. I hate that saving lives is profit driven.
u/Brainjacker
There’s no investment in antibiotics because it’s not a money-maker therapeutic, and health and R&D have largely become for-profit enterprises. We haven’t seen a new class of abx in over
u/swerv925
So nice, another thing to look forward to by 2050 besides robot overlords and flying cars that still get stuck in traffic. Now we even have to consider the possibility of being taken out by s
u/StateChemist
Thanks it had been some time since I considered this flavor of apocalypse.
Adding it to the others.
u/TheRappingSquid
>R&D have largely become for-profit enterprises.
But muh invisible hand.. w-will guide us to prosperity 🥺🥺
u/Brainjacker
There’s no investment in antibiotics because it’s not a money-maker therapeutic, and health and R&D have largely become for-profit enterprises. We haven’t seen a new class of abx in over
u/Ok_Fig705
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/04/10/301432633/scientists-publish-recipe-for-making-bird-flu-more-contagious
Friendly reminder Sam Altman from chatgpt built his underground b
u/oblivion476
It's difficult to even get people to take basic, established vaccines these days. Good luck educating and convincing these same people about the basics of bacterial resistance.
u/s0cks_nz
As more people die from superbugs the profit motive for a new abx will be there.
u/beachfinn
The grandest question get asked often “if you have to minimize human impact and fundamentally work together, how would you choose them?”. It occurred to me during Covid SARS 19, that there we
u/risk_is_freedom
Maybe - but we're also on the brink of so many new breakthrough discoveries. I will be curious to see what unfolds in the next 25 years. And on top of that, the integration of advanced quantu
u/castironglider
I feel like covid was a training drill to teach me how to minimize contact with others during a pandemic while still having a decent life.
It turns out being comfortable with your own comp
u/s0cks_nz
Yeah I agree. I hate that saving lives is profit driven.
u/Qikly
I get the general point of the article's framing that even if you're a cold economist, these global health programs are worthwhile investments, but damn is it skewed to present it through tha
u/Cantleman
Might be better to get them ready before that is the case
u/Nearing_retirement
May decrease the debt as those bug usually kill older people so no more social security payments for them.
u/Ok_Fig705
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/04/10/301432633/scientists-publish-recipe-for-making-bird-flu-more-contagious
Friendly reminder Sam Altman from chatgpt built his underground b
u/Tacosaurusman
I say let's have Shell pay for it, they've extracted plenty of wealth putting us in this mess. (Not gonna happen, I know.)
u/oblivion476
It's difficult to even get people to take basic, established vaccines these days. Good luck educating and convincing these same people about the basics of bacterial resistance.
u/s0cks_nz
As more people die from superbugs the profit motive for a new abx will be there.
u/Tacosaurusman
I say let's have Shell pay for it, they've extracted plenty of wealth putting us in this mess. (Not gonna happen, I know.)
u/Brainjacker
There’s no investment in antibiotics because it’s not a money-maker therapeutic, and health and R&D have largely become for-profit enterprises. We haven’t seen a new class of abx in over
u/FuturologyBot
The following submission statement was provided by /u/chrisdh79:
---
From the article: Superbugs could cause millions more people to die worldwide and cost the global economy just under $2t
u/oblivion476
It's difficult to even get people to take basic, established vaccines these days. Good luck educating and convincing these same people about the basics of bacterial resistance.
u/Qikly
I get the general point of the article's framing that even if you're a cold economist, these global health programs are worthwhile investments, but damn is it skewed to present it through tha
u/s0cks_nz
As more people die from superbugs the profit motive for a new abx will be there.
u/s0cks_nz
As more people die from superbugs the profit motive for a new abx will be there.
u/s0cks_nz
As more people die from superbugs the profit motive for a new abx will be there.
u/oblivion476
It's difficult to even get people to take basic, established vaccines these days. Good luck educating and convincing these same people about the basics of bacterial resistance.
u/Ok_Fig705
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/04/10/301432633/scientists-publish-recipe-for-making-bird-flu-more-contagious
Friendly reminder Sam Altman from chatgpt built his underground b
u/castironglider
I feel like covid was a training drill to teach me how to minimize contact with others during a pandemic while still having a decent life.
It turns out being comfortable with your own comp
u/castironglider
I feel like covid was a training drill to teach me how to minimize contact with others during a pandemic while still having a decent life.
It turns out being comfortable with your own comp
u/Ok_Fig705
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/04/10/301432633/scientists-publish-recipe-for-making-bird-flu-more-contagious
Friendly reminder Sam Altman from chatgpt built his underground b
u/FuturologyBot
The following submission statement was provided by /u/chrisdh79:
---
From the article: Superbugs could cause millions more people to die worldwide and cost the global economy just under $2t
u/Nearing_retirement
May decrease the debt as those bug usually kill older people so no more social security payments for them.