The antimicrobial potential of bacteriophages

Science, Innovation and Technology Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 9 Nov 2022 Closed: 28 May 2024 Parliament page
This inquiry is informed by the successful pitch to the Committee’s My Science inquiry. The World Health Organisation has warned that antibiotic resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development today, while the Government’s Special Envoy on Antimicrobial Resistance, Dame Sally Davies, has … Read more
23 Recommendations
10 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
3 Events
Activity timeline 8 events
1 Mar
2024
Report published
3 Jan
2024
Report published
26 Apr
2023
Oral evidence
26 Apr
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
15 Mar
2023
Oral evidence
15 Mar
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
8 Feb
2023
Oral evidence
8 Feb
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
26 Apr 2023
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Panel One; Panel Two
Dr Jonathan Pearce · Medical Research Council Dr Marc Bailey · Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency Dr Morwenna Carrington · Department for Health and Social Care Dr Tim Jinks · Wellcome Trust Professor Isabel Oliver · UK Health Security Agency Professor Mark Sutton · UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology Richard Hebdon · Innovate UK
15 Mar 2023
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Dr Hans Petter Kleppen · ACD Pharma Dr Jean-Paul Pirnay · Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels Dr Mzia Kutateladze · George Eliava Institute of Bacteriophage, Microbiology and Virology Greg Merril · Adaptive Phage Therapeutics Naomi Zak · BiomX Professor Jon Iredell · The Westmead Institute for Medical Research Professor Robert Schooley · UC San Diego School of Medicine
8 Feb 2023
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Dr James Soothill · Great Ormond Street Hospital Laboratory Medicine Dr Josh Jones · NHS Tayside Mr David Browning · Fixed Phage LTD Ms Stephanie Lesage · Oxford Silk Phage Technologies Ltd Professor Cath Rees · University of Nottingham Professor Joanne M. Santini · University College London Professor Martha Clokie · University of Leicester
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - The antimicrobial potential of bacteriophages HC 328 3 Jan 2024 33 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
7 results
Clear
1 Conclusion Acknowledged
First Report - The antimicrobial p…
Robust clinical trial data lacking for long-term phage safety and immune interactions
The safety of phages has been well established mainly on the basis of observational evidence drawn from specific clinical interventions. However, as with all medicines, robust clinical trial data is important to provide and develop assurances around all aspects of … Read more
Government Response
The government outlined ongoing engagement with phage stakeholders and monitoring of the research and clinical trial pipeline. It stated the upcoming 2024-2029 AMR National Action Plan will set out research priorities, including innovation for AMR.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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4 Conclusion Acknowledged
First Report - The antimicrobial p…
Further research needed on long-term phage interactions and optimal engineering strategies
Phages have been used as therapy for over a hundred years, and much of the fundamental science relating to phages is understood. However, there is still more that the global and UK research communities can learn. Further research will be … Read more
Government Response
The government recognised the importance of research into non-traditional therapies like phages and committed to continuing to monitor the AMR clinical and research pipeline. It also stated it would not produce annual reports exclusively on phages but would regularly review the broader 5-year AMR National Action Plan.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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7 Conclusion Acknowledged
First Report - The antimicrobial p…
UK translational phage research faces funding gap risking untapped potential
We were disappointed to hear that there is a translational phage research “gap” in the UK. We agree that funding, and especially public funding, should be awarded with care. However, we are concerned that, despite being included in the Government’s … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges manufacturing challenges and points to existing and newly announced capital grant programmes for life sciences manufacturing. NHS England has also committed to consider whether its antimicrobial subscription model may be relevant to phage products and to review criteria if deemed appropriate in the future.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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8 Recommendation Acknowledged
First Report - The antimicrobial p…
Review phage translational research funding arrangements, bottlenecks, and specific assistance requirements
We recommend that the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) reviews the current funding arrangements for phage translational research and identifies what are the bottlenecks for such research. A review should consider what specific assistance phage translational research requires … Read more
Government Response
The government explains that NIHR does not ringfence funding and awards depend on application quality, noting few past applications for phage research. It states that NIHR and DHSC are exploring approaches with UKRI to improve phage research capacity, but does not commit to a specific review of funding bottlenecks or dedicated funding.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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10 Conclusion Acknowledged
First Report - The antimicrobial p…
UK phage expertise and resources remain fragmented, hindering potential exploitation
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 … Read more
Government Response
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.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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19 Conclusion Acknowledged
First Report - The antimicrobial p…
Regulatory divergence on GE phages presents a competitive opportunity for the UK
If the UK government supports the commercial production of genetically engineered (GE) phages, it will inevitably lead to regulatory divergence from the EU. However, we believe this divergence offers the UK an opportunity that should be pursued. This should be … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges that genetic modifications influence regulatory frameworks and states that MHRA's upcoming non-binding advisory guidance will clarify this. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate is also reviewing existing requirements for genetically modified organisms in phage-based veterinary medicines.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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21 Conclusion Acknowledged
First Report - The antimicrobial p…
Current regulatory framework for clinical trials ineffective for phage specificity
Our evidence suggests that current regulations for clinical trials and the manufacturing of medicines are unlikely to be effective for phages as they are for other drugs or antibiotics. This is because the current regulatory approach to testing and manufacturing … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the issues with current regulations for phages, stating that new MHRA guidance under development will address safety testing, extrapolation between strains, and clarify that named-patient use requires GMP but not clinical trials.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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Government Response AI assessment · 33 of 23 classified
Accepted 10
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 7
Deferred 9
Rejected 6
Total 23 recs + 10 conclusions