As a member of the multidisciplinary working group "Antimicrobial Agents" of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Prof. Ockenfels investigates the economic reasons for engagement in research and development of new antimicrobial agents. As more and more pathogens have become resistant to antimicrobial agents and few new classes of antibiotics have been brought to market, this represents a major challenge and economic burden for medical care. The working group aims to develop concrete solutions to this global problem.