Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Acknowledged
UK phage expertise and resources remain fragmented, hindering potential exploitation
Conclusion
For the potential benefits of phages to be fully explored and, if possible, exploited in the UK, with competitive advantage, it is important that existing phage- related assets are properly aligned and integrated, connecting the various sectors, institutions, and actors so they can draw on shared resources, information, data, and expertise. This will also allow the development of additional shared assets, such as phage biobanks, as well as encouraging new relationships between universities, hospitals, the pharmaceutical industry, and other stakeholders. We were concerned to hear that the UK’s phage expertise and resources are ‘fragmented’. We therefore welcome Innovate UK’s Phage knowledge transfer initiative to bring phage stakeholders together to produce a roadmap to deliver a sustainable and integrated network for the transfer and sharing of phage-related knowledge for the benefit of all. (Paragraph 67) 58 The antimicrobial potential of bacteriophages
Government response summary AI-generated
The government welcomes the insights and acknowledges the importance of a robust network for phage-related knowledge sharing, expressing support for the existing UK KTN Phage Innovation Network and describing other relevant coordination efforts.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government · verbatim extract
Acknowledged
The government welcomes the valuable insights and recommendations put forward by the UK KTN Phage Innovation Network and acknowledges the importance of establishing a robust network for phage-related knowledge sharing and the management of assets like biobanks. The government is supportive of the important role the network has played convening phage stakeholders and of the network’s ambitious plans to focus on GMP manufacturing, as well as engaging with regulators on the use of phages in humans. The government does not plan to publicly respond to the UK KTN Phage Innovation Network’s report but will consider its recommendations and proposals as part of the wider evidence base for phage therapy. The government recognises the urgency of this matter and understands the potential impact that a well co-ordinated phage-related research and development network can have on tackling AMR across various sectors. As more scientific evidence becomes available, the government will further consider how the use of phages may support achievement of the UK's 20-year vision for AMR. In 2023, UKRI launched a funding call for transdisciplinary networks related to 'Tackling Infections' (5). This offered up to £650,000 per project to networks looking to generate research questions to address key areas of unmet need, identify and prepare for future challenges, increase collaboration and use a transdisciplinary approach. This call closed on 5 December 2023 and applications are currently being evaluated. It is expected that innovative alternatives or improvements to antibiotics will be a common theme emerging in responses to the call. It is hoped that phage researchers can make full use of these networks, anticipating future research calls in the AMR space.
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