Leading experts questioned by MPs on phage therapy in the UK
The Committee holds the first session of the antimicrobial potential of bacteriophages (phages) inquiry, hearing from leading experts. The session explores the use of phages – bacteria-killing viruses – to treat human disease in the UK.
Meeting details
Phages hold promise in treating antibiotic-resistant infections but have only been available for ‘compassionate use’ in the UK and the EU, in instances where conventional antibiotics have failed.
MPs hears from Dr James Soothill, who pioneered the use of phages for multi-resistant infection in the 1990s, and Dr Josh Jones, the UK’s first NHS Clinical Phage Specialist, on the current use of phages in clinical trials and hospitals and the barriers to their wider clinical use.
MPs also hear from academics on the status of phage research and funding as well as from businesses on phage treatment and product development and the UK regulatory environment.