Collaboration is Key in Addressing the Global AMR challenge - Mast Group at GAMRIC 2026
Mast Group was pleased to participate in the Global AMR Innovators Conference (GAMRIC) 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal, with three members of the Mast team, Susan Thomson, our International Business Manager, Rachel Strevens, R&D Scientist for Pharma and AST, and myself Portfolio Development Lead for Microbiology, joining an international community of scientists, clinicians, researchers, innovators, policymakers, regulators and industry leaders united by a common goal - tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Held from 22–24th September 2026 in the Lisbon Marriot Hotel, GAMRIC provided a valuable platform for sharing scientific advances, discussing the challenges facing the AMR landscape and, importantly, exploring how innovation can be translated into practical solutions that benefit patients around the world.
For Mast, the conference was particularly significant, as a company with longstanding expertise in antimicrobial susceptibility testing, AMR diagnostics and pharmaceutical services supporting the development of novel antimicrobial compounds, we were closely connected to many of the challenges and opportunities discussed throughout the meeting.
GAMRIC 2026 demonstrated the importance of bringing different areas of the ‘AMR ecosystem’ together. Across the conference, discussions focused on the need to accelerate innovation while addressing the scientific, clinical, regulatory and practical barriers that can prevent promising solutions from reaching patients. Several key themes emerged throughout the programme, including:
Driving the next generation of antimicrobial solutions – supporting the development of novel antimicrobials in the AMR pipeline, from early discovery through to clinical development and adoption.
Transforming diagnosis and treatment decisions – recognising the critical role of diagnostic technologies that enable earlier, more accurate identification of infections and resistance, helping clinicians make better-informed treatment choices.
Reducing infection through prevention – highlighting the role of vaccines and preventative approaches in reducing infections and limiting reliance on antimicrobial treatments.
Global collaboration is essential – AMR cannot be addressed by a single technology, organisation or sector. facilitating collaboration across academia, healthcare, industry, regulatory bodies and public health to share knowledge, overcome barriers and advance AMR solutions.
Strengthening the AMR ecosystem – supporting the development of an environment where new AMR technologies and therapies can be validated, approved, implemented and ultimately deliver meaningful benefits for patients and healthcare systems.
At GAMRIC 2026, Mast also had the opportunity to share our work directly with the international AMR community through a poster - Comprehensive Carbapenemase Detection: Targeting the ‘Big 5’ presented by Rachel Strevens
Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales represent a major challenge in the management of antimicrobial-resistant infections. The poster highlighted Mast’s focus on comprehensive detection of key carbapenemases using novel indicator and inhibitor compounds and combination disc technology.
The presentation also reflected an important part of MAST’s approach to AMR, developing practical and simple diagnostics that help translate microbiological knowledge into information that can support clinical decision-making. These solutions can effectively be implemented in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where diagnostic resources can be limited.
GAMRIC 2026 highlighted both the progress being made in the global response to AMR and the scale of the challenge that remains.
We are proud to be part of a global community working to improve the detection of resistant mechanisms, and supporting the development, introduction and adoption of new antimicrobials.
The conversation will continue at GAMRIC 2027, which will take place in:
Bengaluru, India
7–9th September 2027