bioMérieux and Henry Ford Health host U.S. thought leaders on antimicrobial resistance to accelerate diagnostics-driven stewardship and policy

 From Challenge to Change: The Critical Role of Diagnostics in Combating AMR

SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- bioMérieux, a global leader in in vitro diagnostics, and Henry Ford Health partnered to host the Summit, held Sept. 30–Oct. 1 at the Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport, focused on promoting practical actions to address the increasing threat posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Henry Ford Health, one of bioMérieux's Antimicrobial Stewardship Centers of Excellence, works closely with stakeholders to advance stewardship, optimize antibiotic use, and improve patient outcomes.

Globally, AMR is escalating as one of the world's most urgent health threats, recognized by global and national authorities as requiring coordinated, multi-sectoral action. In the U.S., antimicrobial-resistant infections are estimated to exceed 2.8 million with 35,000 deaths annually (>3 million/48,000 including C. difficile)¹, while direct treatment cost for common resistant pathogen exceed $4.6 billion per year² and post-pandemic healthcare-associated resistance remains above 2019 baselines³. AMR is projected to surpass cancer as the leading cause of death globally by 2050 – if no measures are taken promptly⁴.

The two-day gathering, brought together leading infectious diseases physicians and pharmacists, microbiologists, public health officials, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. Together, they engaged in candid, cross-disciplinary discussions and networking designed to tackle the complex realities of AMR —conversations intended to spark collaborations and concrete actions well beyond the Summit itself. Reflections from participants included:

• Jennifer Zinn, bioMérieux Executive Vice President of Clinical Operations. "As a global IVD leader in infectious diseases, our ambition is to demonstrate — through evidence-generation and education — that diagnostics are indispensable to bending the AMR curve and improving clinical outcomes. By joining forces with stakeholders across the healthcare continuum, public health leaders, and policymakers at events like the AMR Summit, we're turning proof into practice and accelerating stewardship where it matters most."
  
  
• Linoj Samuel, Division Head for clinical microbiology, Henry Ford Health
  "At Henry Ford Health, patient safety and well-being are at the heart of everything we do. As national leaders in antimicrobial and diagnostic stewardship and infection prevention, we're honored to share a blueprint that helps health systems advance responsible, evidence-based practices to enhance patient outcomes today and into the future."
  
  
• Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir, PharmD, MPH, AAHIVP, University of California San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
  Marginalized individuals are more likely to receive care in outpatient settings, where lack of diagnostic testing can mean missed diagnoses and increased disease resistance that could be more quickly addressed and treated in other settings. When you integrate diagnostics into effective stewardship programs, including in outpatient settings, patients can experience better outcomes, which leads to better overall public health.
  
  
• Robert J. Tibbetts, Ph.D. D(ABMM), F(CCM), FIDSA, Henry Ford Health
  "The issues with antimicrobial resistance in veterinary medicine are the same as those we face in humans. In fact, 80 percent of antibiotics used in the US are for animal health. If we are to establish successful stewardships programs, we must work together to find solutions."
  
  
• Amanda Harrington, PhD, D(ABMM), medical director, Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Loyola University Medical Center.
  "Today, half of antibiotics in medicine are inappropriately prescribed. We have, however, a powerful solution: diagnostics. This is how we move forward, but we must act now. It's late; the clock is ticking; the countdown has begun. When it comes to the increasing problem of AMR, time is running out." 
  
  
• Geehan Suleyman, MD, MLS(ASCP), FIDSA, Henry Ford Health
  "Diagnostics stewardship is a strategic approach to improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce unnecessary testing, and optimize treatment. Stewardship interventions include leveraging EHR-integrated clinical decision tools, which reduce hospital-acquired infections and antimicrobial utilization through evidence-based practices. These tools are highly sustainable, resource-efficient, cost-effective, and readily scalable."

ABOUT BIOMÉRIEUX

Pioneering Diagnostics

A world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics since 1963, bioMérieux is present in 45 countries and serves more than 160 countries with the support of a large network of distributors. In 2024, revenues reached €4 billion, with over 93% of sales outside of France.

bioMérieux provides diagnostic solutions (systems, reagents, software and services) which determine the source of disease and contamination to improve patient health and ensure consumer safety. Its products are mainly used for diagnosing infectious diseases. They are also used for detecting microorganisms in agri-food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.
www.biomerieux.com.

¹ 2019 Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report | Antimicrobial Resistance | CDC
² CDC Partners Estimate Healthcare Cost of Antimicrobial-resistant Infections | Antimicrobial Resistance | CDC
³ Antimicrobial Resistance Threats in the United States, 2021-2022 | Antimicrobial Resistance | CDC
⁴ 160525_Final paper_with cover.pdf

SOURCE bioMerieux