The rapid spread of antibiotic resistance requires innovative anti-infective drugs and strategies. The PANAD concept proposes to develop potent antimicrobialpeptides (Amps) to the preclinical stage of investigation. Natural and designed Amps will first be extensively screened in vitro against clinical isolates of pathogens and selected for subsequent testing in animal disease models. Screens will include combinations of Amps with conventional antibiotics. Amps with sufficient potency will be selected for simultaneous knowledge-based design andrandom-mutagenesis to increase performance. Improved Amps will re-enter in vitrotesting to advance the optimisation process. Novel technology for large-scale, cost-effective bio production of Amps will be developed.