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.