Harnessing the Power of Mānuka Honey to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance
In November 2025, Comvita announced a significant milestone in its three-year research collaboration with Aston University, UK, focused on harnessing the unique antimicrobial properties of Mānuka honey to help address the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance.
The partnership reached a major milestone with the discovery of a breakthrough Mānuka honey formulation that was shown to be more effective at fighting bacteria than Mānuka honey alone. Early laboratory results were very promising, demonstrating effectiveness against many highly drug-resistant bacterial species, including MRSA, as well as others that are major causes of serious hospital infections worldwide.
The announcement coincided with World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week, underscoring the importance of international scientific collaboration and a shared commitment to developing novel, effective, and globally relevant solutions.
Dr. Jonathan Cox
Associate Professor of Microbiology, Aston University, UK
A Model for International Scientific Collaboration
Her Excellency Iona Thomas, British High Commissioner to New Zealand, highlighted the collaboration as a strong example of what global partnerships can achieve.
She noted that antimicrobial resistance is one of the most serious health challenges of our time and emphasized that addressing it will require innovative, cross-border thinking. The partnership between Comvita and Aston University demonstrated how world-class researchers and industry leaders can work together to advance nature-based solutions with global relevance.
A Milestone for Natural Health Innovation
Dr Jackie Evans, Chief Science Officer at Comvita, described the patent as a major milestone in the company’s mission to advance the science of Mānuka honey and unlock its full potential in supporting global health.
She noted that the collaboration reflected the best of science and nature working together and served as a model for how industry and academia can collaborate across borders to solve complex challenges. As antimicrobial resistance continued to rise globally, the need for safe, natural, and effective alternatives remained greater than ever.
Looking Ahead
This milestone represented meaningful progress in understanding how Mānuka honey’s unique properties could be studied through rigorous science and explored for future applications.
Comvita remains committed to advancing research to help prove the benefits of Mānuka honey and to explore new approaches that support global health, guided by scientific integrity, collaboration, and respect for nature.
