Raising Phage Awareness Amid Rising Antibiotic Resistance

With antibiotic resistance escalating globally, the need for alternatives is becoming increasingly critical. Rati Golijashvili, manager of Biochimpharm, highlights the dire statistics: annually, 1.3 million deaths are attributed to antibiotic-resistant infections, a figure projected to soar to 10 million by 2050.

Georgia, with its rich history in bacteriophage research, stands at the forefront of developing these biological alternatives to antibiotics. The urgency for such alternatives was further underscored during the pandemic, which exacerbated antibiotic resistance issues, potentially setting the stage for an even greater threat in future pandemics.

Golijashvili emphasizes that while phages may not replace antibiotics entirely, they can address major infections either alone or in conjunction with antibiotics, enhancing their effectiveness.

Currently, parents represent the primary consumer segment aware of phages' benefits, driven by a preference to avoid antibiotics in children's treatments. Biochimpharm now aims to broaden this awareness to other consumer segments through targeted and assertive campaigns.

This initiative comes in the wake of Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's remarks on Georgia's pioneering role in phage technology. As global demand for phages rises, Georgia is poised to offer significant technological contributions to this field.