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Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global issue that complicates the management of chronic wounds. While resistance in bacteria is a natural, evolutionary process, the misuse of antibiotics over decades —such as their inappropriate use in treating viral infections and overuse in intensive food animal production—has driven the rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. These MDR strains, resistant to three or more classes of antimicrobial drugs, pose a significant barrier to clinically and cost-effective chronic wound care and patient health. Chronic wounds are wounds that fail to proceed through the normal stages of healing and remain open and unhealed for an extended period, usually defined as more than 3 months (Werdin et al., 2024). These wounds are typically stuck in the inflammatory phase of healing and are unable to progress to tissue formation. Chronic wounds are highly susceptible to infection, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) complicates treatment, particularly due to the prevalence of biofilm-forming pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa that shield bacteria from both immune response and antibiotics. The frequent, repeated use of antibiotics in chronic wound care increases AMR, limiting treatment options and leading to recurrent infections and poorer patient outcomes. Globally, chronic wounds with resistant infections result in prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and in severe cases, amputations, especially in diabetic patients. The global wound dressing market was estimated at US$ 14 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$ 18 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 3.7% during the forecast period. Key drivers of growth are ageing populations, increasing rates of traumatic injuries – particularly from road traffic accidents and increasing numbers of surgical interventions leading to post-operative wound infections.