ASM and IDSA launch the Interdisciplinary Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance and Innovation in 2026

Washington, D.C. — The American Society for Microbiology and the Infectious Diseases Society of America are excited to announce the launch of the Interdisciplinary Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance and Innovation. This inaugural conference will serve as a one-of-a-kind forum for collaboration and exploration around the latest advances in antimicrobial drug discovery and development. The first conference will take place Jan. 28-30, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

IMARI brings together researchers, clinicians, industry leaders and policymakers to address one of the greatest challenges in modern medicine: antimicrobial resistance. This cross-disciplinary meeting highlights the latest discoveries, technologies and translational strategies driving the next generation of antimicrobial solutions. The scientific program will feature the following topic areas:

1. Advances in antimicrobial resistance research: Explore emerging resistance mechanisms, adaptive microbial responses and host-pathogen dynamics. Discover how cutting-edge science is revealing novel targets and shaping strategies to combat resistance at its source.
   
   
2. Innovations in antimicrobial discovery: Delve into recent advancements and the future of drug discovery — from target validation to AI-powered molecule design. Sessions will showcase breakthroughs in chemical biology, natural product exploration and synthetic biology for next-generation antimicrobials.
   
   
3. Breakthroughs in translation from bench to early clinical studies: Bridge the gap between discovery and delivery. Learn how pharmacological insights, target product profiles and new funding models are accelerating the path from lab innovation to clinical application.
   
   
4. Cross-sector collaborations for impact: Connect with leaders across academia, biotech, pharma, NGOs and government. Hear how collaborative networks and public-private partnerships are driving real-world impact and shaping the antimicrobial R&D ecosystem.

“IMARI will create a forum for advancing the science of antimicrobial resistance and bring together an extraordinary community of scientists and leaders tackling one of the most urgent challenges in global health. From groundbreaking research to cross-sector collaboration, this is where bold ideas meet real-world impact. ASM and IDSA are building a space for rigorous dialogue, data-driven insights and high-impact collaboration. I am excited to see how the exchange of knowledge at this meeting will drive the next generation of antimicrobial strategies,” said Greg Moeck, PhD, co-chair, Program Committee, and senior vice president, microbiology, Venatorx Pharmaceuticals Inc.

“IMARI will be the ideal forum for all AMR stakeholders to get together and discuss the science of antimicrobial resistance. The meeting seeks to re-energize our community from basic scientists, microbiologists and clinicians to drug developers and policymakers. IMARI will tackle the major complexities of AMR and create an integrative space for discussion and action. Most importantly, IMARI seeks to attract the new generation of AMR researchers that want to dedicate their talent to solving this complex problem. Training in AMR is a priority and a field that requires innovation. IMARI is the perfect scenario for high-level scientific exchange. We are thrilled and optimistic with the future and the positive influence of IMARI in our community,” said Cesar Arias, MD, MSc, PhD, co-chair, Program Committee, and professor and chief in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Houston Methodist Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College and editor-in-chief of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

The conference demonstrates ASM’s and IDSA’s joint commitment to creating an enduring platform to support the advancement of global health initiatives that leverage the power of microbes to combat AMR. 

Additional details on the scientific program will be announced in June 2025. 

The American Society for Microbiology is one of the largest professional societies dedicated to the life sciences and is composed of over 32,000 scientists and health practitioners. ASM’s mission is to promote and advance the microbial sciences. ASM advances the microbial sciences through conferences, publications, certifications, educational opportunities and advocacy efforts. It enhances laboratory capacity around the globe through training and resources. It provides a network for scientists in academia, industry and clinical settings. Additionally, ASM promotes a deeper understanding of the microbial sciences to diverse audiences.
 
Solving the challenges of infectious diseases. The Infectious Diseases Society of America is a global community of 13,000-plus clinicians, scientists and public health experts working together to solve humanity’s smallest and greatest challenges, from tiny microbes to global outbreaks. Rooted in science, committed to health equity and driven by curiosity, our compassionate and knowledgeable members safeguard the health of individuals, our communities and the world by advancing the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases.