SBRI: antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in humans

Overview

This competition is to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) will invest up to £10 million in 2 competition strands.

Scope

Within the context of this competition antimicrobial includes:

• antibacterials (except for tuberculosis)
• antifungals
• antivirals (except for HIV)

Strand 1 is for the exploration of the scientific and technical feasibility of innovative solutions through proof of concept studies. Projects must focus on:

• infection prevention
• new therapies in relation to AMR
• new vaccines in relation to AMR

Strand 2 projects should be technically more advanced and can include:

• proof of concept in a model system
• progression of a technical evaluation to the point of readiness for clinical testing
• demonstration of effectiveness in humans, patients or the relevant environment
• infection prevention

All projects must describe:

• technology being developed
• relevance to AMR
• anticipated clinical application
• estimation of the anticipated medical benefit and value
• how the product or capability would be used, where and by whom
• evidence that the technologies and any models are appropriate and fit for purpose

Innovate UK welcome innovative approaches that include:

• advanced technologies for suitable therapeutic alternatives
• new practices
• new materials
• studies that ask questions about the benefits and impact of new innovations over existing practice

Themes

You can focus on any of the issues described in the 2 themes:

1. new therapies, including: antimicrobials; immunotherapies; screening and evaluating new active components/solutions such as new small molecules, bacteriophages, vaccines and new innovative therapies based on manipulating the immunological response.
2. Infection prevention and control, including: projects that deliver automatic infection prevention such as cleaning of surfaces and devices; technologies capable of tracking and monitoring hygiene; insertion of bactericidal materials into healthcare centre furnishings/garments and innovations that will reduce infection associated with medical implants/devices.

Eligibility

To lead a project, you can:

• be a business , academic institution or research organisation (RO)
• work alone or with others from business, the research base or the third sector as subcontractors

All projects must start 1 January 2019.

Funding Costs

Strand 1 projects are to last up to 12 months and have total project costs of up to £500,000 including VAT.

Strand 2 projects are to last between 12 and 24 months and total project costs of up to £2 million including VAT.

Your application must assign at least 50% of the contract value directly and exclusively to research and development (R&D) services.

R&D can cover solution exploration and design. It can also include prototyping and field-testing the product or service.