To address the nation’s lack of new drug development, U.S. Reps. Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Mike Carey (R-OH) on Feb. 4 proposed a bipartisan bill to develop better antibiotics that would counter resistant infections and help doctors ensure these drugs are used responsibly to stop the emergence of new superbugs.
“The United States leads the world in medical innovation, and we must ensure our policies reflect that,” Rep. Carter said. “As a pharmacist, I’ve seen nothing short of miracles due to drug development in my lifetime, but we must continue to evolve to combat antimicrobial resistance.”
Specifically, the Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act of 2026, H.R. 7352, would establish a subscription-style model that would offer antibiotic developers predictable payments in exchange for access to their antibiotics in an effort to encourage innovation and ensure preparedness to treat resistant infections.
Rep. Carter sponsored H.R. 7352 alongside four original cosponsors, including Rep. Carey and U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA) to establish a federal subscription model that provides annual payments to developers of eligible antibiotics and antifungals.
The contract values would range from $75 million to $300 million per year, with terms up to 10 years or until a generic or biosimilar enters the market, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Americans suffer nearly three million antimicrobial-resistant infections annually, resulting in more than 35,000 deaths each year,” said Rep. Carey. “I’m proud to support the PASTEUR Act to help spur the development of innovative new treatments that will equip doctors with more tools to respond to, limit the spread of, and ultimately curb preventable deaths caused by breakthrough cases of infectious diseases.”
If enacted, H.R. 7352 also would use a transparent scoring system to determine eligibility and contract value, rewarding products that address urgent threats and unmet medical needs and that demonstrate major clinical and public health benefits.
Additionally, a Critical Need Antimicrobial Advisory Group would be created under the bill consisting of infectious disease physicians, antimicrobial resistance and R&D experts, and patient advocates to guide the design of the program.
H.R. 7352 also would set terms and conditions of the subscription contracts that would require developers to ensure commercial availability, reliable supply, public reporting of resistance data, implementation of stewardship and education plans, adherence to manufacturing and environmental best practices, and completion of post-market studies, among other provisions.
“The PASTEUR Act fosters collaboration between the public and private sectors to tackle market challenges in drug development, strengthen public health preparedness, and incentivize the development of new life-saving antibiotics,” Rep. Carter added.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America, bioMérieux North America, the Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease, the MyCARE Foundation, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the Biotechnology Innovation Organization have endorsed the measure.