title: Systematic analysis of funding awarded for antimicrobial resistance research to institutions in the UK, 1997-2010.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the level of research funding awarded to UK institutions specifically for antimicrobial resistance-related research and how closely the topics funded relate to the clinical and public health burden of resistance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Databases and web sites were systematically searched for information on how infectious disease research studies were funded for the period 1997-2010. Studies specifically related to antimicrobial resistance, including bacteriology, virology, mycology and parasitology research, were identified and categorized in terms of funding by pathogen and disease and by a research and development value chain describing the type of science.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall dataset included 6165 studies receiving a total investment of £2.6 billion, of which £102 million was directed towards antimicrobial resistance research (5.5% of total studies, 3.9% of total spend). Of 337 resistance-related projects, 175 studies focused on bacteriology (40.2% of total resistance-related spending), 42 focused on antiviral resistance (17.2% of funding) and 51 focused on parasitology (27.4% of funding). Mean annual funding ranged from £1.9 million in 1997 to £22.1 million in 2009.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the fact that the emergence of antimicrobial resistance threatens our future ability to treat many infections, the proportion of the UK infection-research spend targeting this important area is small. There are encouraging signs of increased investment in this area, but it is important that this is sustained and targeted at areas of projected greatest burden. Two areas of particular concern requiring more investment are tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.
authors.affiliation: University College London, Research Department of Infection and Population Health, UCL Royal Free Campus, London NW3 2PF, UK.
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Head
authors.forename: Joseph R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Fitchett
authors.forename: Mary K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Cooke
authors.forename: Fatima B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Wurie
authors.forename: Rifat
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Atun
authors.forename: Andrew C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Hayward
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: Alan P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Woodford
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000191:economics* / Q000639:trends*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D006801:Humans; D012109:Research Support as Topic / Q000191:economics* / Q000639:trends*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: antibiotics; antifungal; antiparasitic; antiviral
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