In September 2023 the University of Birmingham shared that the Bacterial Vaccines Network (BactiVac) was awarded £1.4 million by the UK government. This funding is intended to “accelerate” the development of bacterial vaccines to prevent infections and is part of the “global fight” against AMR (antimicrobial resistance). Bacterial vaccines can prevent the need for antimicrobials and prevent infections from developing at all.
GAMRIF
The Global AMR Innovation Fund (GAMRIF) within the Department of Health and Social Care is a UK aid fund that supports “early-stage innovative research” in “underfunded areas” of AMR research and development with expected benefits for people in LMICs. Collaborating with research organisations, governments, and industry, GAMRIF aims to:
- Establish international research partnerships and support research competitions that fund innovation and development of new technologies to tackle AMR
- Leverage investment from other partners and donors to support sustainable financing for AMR
- Establish global research partnerships using a One Health approach
- Fund projects that will develop solutions specifically for LMICs
Further funding
The University of Birmingham suggests that the latest funding furthers an initial £1.4 million award in 2019. Both awards are part of the UK’s 20-year vision and 5-year AMR national action plan. It will enable BactiVac to “continue diversifying the current pipeline of vaccine development projects” and “increase collaborations” between researchers in LMICs and the UK. It also supports Network activities aimed at “enabling the equity of access” for LMIC members.
Synergistic progress
Professor Calman MacLennan is Director of BactiVac and “extremely grateful” to partner with GAMRIF.
“There is clear synergy between our organisations and the support provided by GAMRIF is vital for delivering BactiVac’s objective of advancing vaccines against bacterial pathogens and AMR.”
Professor Adam Cunningham, Co-Director of BactiVac and Professor of Functional Immunity stated that GAMRIF “supports strategies to tackle AMR” and “bacterial vaccines play a key role in this”.
“The partnership between GAMRIF and BactiVac is so important for controlling AMR.”
Professor Dame Sally Davies, UK’s Special Envoy on AMR, is “absolutely delighted” by the partnership.
“By advancing bacterial vaccines, the Network plays a key role in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance.”
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