November 20, 2025 — Leads & Copy — More than 300 clinicians, researchers, and decision-makers convened in Toronto on November 18–19 for the fourth annual bioMérieux Canada Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Symposium. The event, themed “Preserving Antimicrobial Effectiveness: Acting Today for Future Generations,” highlighted the latest science, innovations, and public-health strategies to combat drug-resistant infections.
Chiara Brovero, General Manager & Vice-President of bioMérieux Canada Inc., emphasized the urgency of collective action to preserve the effectiveness of life-saving treatments and thanked partners and participants for their commitment.
The World Health Organization ranks antimicrobial resistance among the top ten threats to global health. In Canada, AMR contributes to approximately 13,700 deaths annually and could cost the economy $7.6 billion per year by 2050 if unchecked.
Diagnostic tools are essential for guiding treatment decisions. Although laboratory testing accounts for only 3% to 5% of healthcare budgets, diagnostics inform 70% of medical decisions.
One significant driver of AMR is the overuse of antibiotics in primary care. In Ontario, antibiotics were deemed unnecessary in 52.6% of acute bronchitis cases and 48.4% of sinusitis cases. Rapid molecular diagnostics can dramatically reduce inappropriate prescribing. An ED study showed test results altered clinicians’ plans in 44.5% of influenza-positive and 92.6% of influenza-negative cases, avoiding 135 unnecessary prescriptions. In sepsis, delayed effective antibiotic therapy increases mortality by up to 20% per hour.
Brovero also noted that strengthening Canada’s AMR surveillance network with near real-time data and broader community integration would improve public health responses and demonstrate Canadian leadership.
During the symposium, experts and stakeholders developed strategies to reduce antibiotic use and design innovative approaches. Key highlights included a review of progress under the Pan-Canadian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance, discussion of sepsis management, and sessions on innovation and prevention, highlighting rapid diagnostics, therapeutic optimization, and infection prevention and control.
Presentations showcased the latest research and clinical evidence in AMR and diagnostics, with interactive Q&A sessions using real patient cases and best practices.
bioMérieux diagnostic tools enable rapid identification of infectious agents and their resistance patterns, ensuring the right treatment for the right patient at the right time, which is vital for preserving antimicrobial effectiveness and improving patient outcomes.
Katia Battou, Casacom, kbattou@casacom.ca / 514-378-1005
Source: bioMérieux
