International use of bacteria-killing viruses examined by MPs
MPs examine the lessons the UK can learn from other countries on the use and development of bacteria-killing viruses to treat disease.
Bacteriophages, or 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.
Meeting details
The Commons Science and Technology Committee questions phage researchers and businesses based in Georgia, Belgium, Australia, US, Norway and Israel, in the second session of the inquiry.
Georgia is regarded as a world leader in phage therapy, attracting patients from the EU who have not qualified for phage treatment in their own countries.
The first session of the Committee's inquiry heard that no phages are currently produced in the UK due to restrictive manufacturing standards. They are instead imported from countries such as the US and Belgium, which has made phage therapies expensive and sourcing variable.