Antimicrobial resistance: develop solutions in the UK
Published 15 October 2018
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The UK is playing a major global role in meeting the challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).We have a world class research base, cluster, and talent pool.
Why develop antimicrobial resistance solutions in the UK?
The Review on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), commissioned in July 2014 by the UK Prime Minister, made 10 recommendations to reduce over-prescribing, increase the number of new antibiotics that come to market and build a global coalition for action on AMR.
We have strong financial commitment to research. The UK government will build on its investment in AMR R&D in the coming years. It recently funded over £64 million of AMR-related projects through the National Institute for Health Research and Research Council programmes. Other schemes encouraging international research collaboration include the:
- £1 billion Ross Fund to tackle malaria and infectious diseases
- £1.5 billion Global Challenges Research Fund
- Fleming and Newton Funds
- Global Antimicrobial Resistance Innovation Fund
The National Health Service (NHS) is the world’s largest integrated healthcare system, treating more than 60 million people. With over £1 billion annual investment, it is a national platform for clinical research and study support services for sponsors and clinical research organisations (CROs).
The UK has a strong industry cluster covering discovery and development of vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, informatics and One Health approaches (encompassing human and animal health), and a strong CRO base.
UK infrastructure for AMR treatment, diagnostics and R&D
Genomics England, established in 2013, is currently the largest national sequencing project of its kind in the world. Public Health England has been asked to lead the infectious disease part of the 100,000 Genome Project, focussing on the application of whole genome sequencing in diseases such as tuberculosis.
The UK is investing up to £66 million in capital funding to build and establish a good manufacturing practice capability through the development of the UK National Vaccines Development and Manufacturing Centre.
The Wellcome Trust, one of the world’s leading funders of biomedical R&D, supports global efforts in antimicrobial resistance through co-funding of the CARB-X scheme.
Two National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Units are focused on healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and AMR, leading on research to support the development of effective approaches to combat AMR.
Four Biomedical Research Centres (in Cambridge, Oxford and 2 in London linked to Imperial and University College London Hospitals), also part of the NIHR, conduct translational research to transform scientific breakthroughs into life-saving treatments for patients.
Routes to AMR product development in the UK
More than 150 companies working on infection management and treatment have benefited from funding of over £58 million inthe last 10 years through Innovate UK, the UK’s national innovation agency.
The Medicines Discovery Catapult based at Alderley Park focuses on medicines; diagnostics; biomarkers; and early-stage clinical trial support. The catapult serves as a community for all drug-based approaches.
NIHR In vitro diagnostics co-operatives in London, Leeds Newcastle and Oxford support companies developing evidence and evaluating diagnostics to support commercialisation.
The MHRA Innovation Office, offering a single point of access for all innovative medicines and medical devices, is the main resource for all developers in the personalised medicine area.
The Early Access to Medicines Scheme makes promising new unlicensed medicines available to UK patients at an earlier stage, especially in areas of high unmet clinical need.
Contact Life Sciences Organisation (LSO)
LSO is made up of a mixed team of civil servants and private sector specialists based in the UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT).
It provides support for:
- UK life sciences companies doing business overseas
- foreign life sciences companies wanting to invest in the UK
Contact LSO for more information on commercial opportunities in the UK’s life sciences sector.
You can find out more about investing in the UK at great.gov.uk.