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In 2019, almost five million deaths were directly attributed to or associated with AMR, more than were attributed to HIV/AIDS and malaria combined that same year.1 By 2050, it is expected that, without significant action, AMR will be associated with more than eight million deaths per year and will cost the world $100 trillion.2,3 If left unchecked, AMR stands to derail global progress, weakening healthcare and threatening economic productivity, global food supplies, and shared goals to promote equity. This reality leaves us with fewer options to treat antimicrobial-resistant infections.5 The latest World Health Organization (WHO) report on the state of antimicrobial development estimated that in 2023, there were 97 novel antimicrobial agents in clinical development pipelines.6 However, even without accounting for the high failure rates of drug development, this number falls short of what is needed to outpace AMR. Of the 32 traditional small molecule drugs in development against WHO bacterial priority pathogens, only four target critical pathogens (those that are the most problematic) and also meet at least one of the WHO's innovation criteria:6,7,8 New chemical class: Derived from a chemical that has not been previously used New target: Interacts with a part of the bacteria that existing drugs do not target New mode of action: Kills or inhibits bacteria through a distinct mechanism No cross-resistance to other classes: Effective against bacteria that have developed resistance to other classes of drugs These criteria ensure that the drug offers a genuine therapeutic difference, a requirement for its effectiveness against evolving AMR. Several initiatives have emerged to stimulate innovation, ranging from push" incentives, like CARB-X14, GARDP15, and Gr-ADI16, to "pull" mechanisms, such as the NHS subscription model in the U.K., which decouples reimbursement from sales.17 Amid this ecosystem, PACE (Pathways to Antimicrobial Clinical Efficacy), a £30-million initiative between LifeArc, Innovate U.K., and Medicines Discovery Catapult, was formed to plug a specific gap and play an important role.18 It focuses specifically on driving and supporting early-stage translation and targeting high-potential innovations that may otherwise struggle to access funding or the right support to ensure success.19 PACE recognizes that skills development is just as important as funding, and acts as a learning partner, providing tailored support, guidance, and technical expertise, as well as important connections to the AMR network for delivery or downstream support."