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Bill

S 4875

PASTEUR Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Michael Bennet and 4 co-sponsors

S. 4875 would create a PHSA–funded program to develop innovative antimicrobials targeting hard-to-treat, high-risk pathogens, accelerating resistance‑fighting options.

Introduced in Senate
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Bill Summary · S 4875

Summary of Bill: S. 4875 (119th Congress)

Purpose and intent

  • S. 4875 seeks to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a new program aimed at developing innovative antimicrobial drugs.
  • The focus is on targeting the most challenging pathogens and the infections that pose the greatest threat to public health.
  • Overall goal: advance the development pipeline for next-generation antimicrobials to address unmet medical needs and rising antimicrobial resistance.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishment of a dedicated program under the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to fund and coordinate antimicrobial drug development.
  • Program aims to support the research, development, and progression of innovative antimicrobial therapies, particularly for high-priority or hard-to-treat pathogens.
  • Potential creation or expansion of funding mechanisms (grants, contracts, or other support) to incentivize development by industry, academia, and other researchers.
  • Emphasis on targeting pathogens and infections that are most threatening to public health, which may include multidrug-resistant bacteria, limited treatment options, and high morbidity/mortality scenarios.
  • Possible integration with existing federal R&D ecosystems, including collaboration with agencies involved in national antimicrobial resistance strategy, regulatory considerations, and translational research support.
  • Provisions may include reporting, oversight, and evaluation requirements to monitor program effectiveness and outcomes.

Note: The text provided outlines the bill’s purpose and general framework. Specifics such as funding levels, eligibility criteria, application processes, grant term lengths, milestones, enforcement, and administrative structure would be detailed in the bill’s full language.

Who would be affected

  • Federal researchers and institutions applying for program funding (universities, nonprofit research organizations, and industry partners engaged in antimicrobial R&D).
  • Public health agencies and policymakers that interact with the program, including oversight and reporting duties.
  • Healthcare providers and ultimately patients, through the potential expansion of effective antimicrobial options and more rapid development of therapies for resistant infections.
  • Stakeholders in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors that participate in or rely on federal support for early-stage to late-stage antimicrobial development.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) on June 23, 2026.
  • The current action history indicates the bill has begun the committee review process; further steps would typically include potential markups, committee votes, and ultimately floor consideration in the Senate, followed by potential House action or reconciliation if companion legislation exists.
  • As a new bill, specifics on funding authorization, duration, and implementation timelines would be clarified during committee deliberations and any subsequent floor amendments.

Practical implications and potential impact

  • If enacted, the bill could accelerate development of antimicrobials for high-priority pathogens, potentially improving treatment options and reducing the burden of resistant infections.
  • Success would depend on funding levels, effective program design, coordination with regulatory pathways, and efficient collaboration across sectors.
  • The legislation signals congressional prioritization of antimicrobial resistance as a national health security issue, with a structured mechanism to stimulate innovation beyond traditional market incentives.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to include anticipated funding ranges, governance structure, or how it aligns with existing antimicrobial resistance initiatives and programs.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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