Systematic analysis of funding awarded for norovirus research to institutions in the United Kingdom, 1997–2010

OBJECTIVES: Norovirus infections pose great economic and disease burden to health systems around the world. This study quantifies the investments in norovirus research awarded to UK institutions over a 14-year time period. DESIGN: A systematic analysis of public and philanthropic infectious disease research investments awarded to UK institutions between 1997 and 2010. PARTICIPANTS: None SETTING: UK institutions carrying out infectious disease research. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Total funding for infectious disease research, total funding for norovirus research, position of norovirus research along the R&D value chain. RESULTS: The total dataset consisted of 6165 studies with sum funding of £2.6 billion. Twelve norovirus studies were identified with a total funding of £5.1 million, 0.2% of the total dataset. Of these, eight were categorized as pre-clinical, three as intervention studies and one as implementation research. Median funding was £200,620. CONCLUSIONS: Research funding for norovirus infections in the UK appears to be unacceptably low, given the burden of disease and disability produced by these infections. There is a clear need for new research initiatives along the R&D value chain: from pre-clinical through to implementation research, including trials to assess cost-effectiveness of infection control policies as well as clinical, public health and environmental interventions in hospitals, congregate settings and in the community.