Correspondence: Monitoring Investments in Coronavirus Research and Development

Correspondence
Monitoring investments organisations, a coordinated response coronavirus was not specifically related
to research and development during to COVID-19.
in coronavirus research disease outbreaks poses a challenge. It is essential that the global health
and development Considering this challenge, we at community addresses the clear gaps
the RESIN study have developed in knowledge during the COVID-19
Research and development is a crucial a Coronavirus Research and pandemic. Continuous efforts to For more on the Coronavirus
part of responding to and preparing Development Dashboard, describing Research and Development
track research and development
Dashboard see https://www.
for disease outbreaks. 1 However, historicial and current funding investments can support decision the-ciru.com/resin-covid19
funding for research and development trends with continuous updates making around efficient allocation
has historically been reactive, with across the COVID-19 pandemic. This of research resources that are scarce,
little proactive investment in the is part of a larger study describing and can provide transparency and
periods between pandemics. Through US$105 billion of research investment coordination around global efforts to
the Research Investments in Global for all infectious diseases.2 address the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health (RESIN) study, we have shown Between January, 2000 and We declare no competing interests.
the reactive nature of funding, for December, 2019 (appendix p 1), Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by See Online for appendix
example, with Ebola virus disease, there were 445 awards covering Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the
Zika virus disease, and severe acute US$533 million of investment by CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license.
respiratory syndrome (SARS), public and philanthropic research and *Rebecca J Brown, Michael G Head
where investment follows disease development funders. $359 million rebecca.brown@soton.ac.uk
outbreaks.2,3 (67·4%) was related to SARS, and the Clinical Informatics Research Unit, Faculty of
The need for a proactive approach year of greatest funding was 2004 Medicine, University of Southampton,
has been acknowledged with ($158 million [29·6%]), immediately Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
the publication of a research and post-SARS. Preclinical research 1 Bedford J, Enria D, Giesecke J, et al. COVID-19:
towards controlling of a pandemic. Lancet
development roadmap by WHO,4 and accounted for $509 million (95·5%). 2020; 395: 1015–18.
with the setup of the Coalition for As of April 27, 2020, we have 2 Head MG, Brown RJ, Newell M-L, Scott JAG,
Batchelor J, Atun R. The allocation of
Epidemic Preparedness Innovations detected 221 additonal research US$ 105 billion in global funding for infectious
(CEPI)—a substantial infrastructure awards funded and related to disease research between 2000 and 2017:
for product development research coronavirus (appendix p 1), with a sum an analysis of investments from funders in the
G20 countries. SSRN 2020; published online
into emerging infectious diseases, investment of $421 million. Most of April 2. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.
including coronaviruses.5 However, this investment was related to vaccine cfm?abstract_id=3552831 (preprint).
3 Fitchett JR, Lichtman A, Soyode DT, et al.
considering the COVID-19 outbreak, and product development research Ebola research funding: a systematic analysis,
the world is clearly not prepared for a for COVID-19 by CEPI (estimated at 1997–2015. J Glob Health 2016; 6: 020703.
pandemic. $250 million). Therefore, out of a 4 WHO. A coordinated global research roadmap.
Geneva: World Health Organization, 2020.
The ability to track research and total $954 million for coronavirus https://www.who.int/blueprint/priority-
development has the potential to research between January, 2000, and diseases/key-action/Roadmap-version-FINAL-
for-WEB.pdf?ua=1 (accessed April 27, 2020).
provide an evidence base to support April, 2020, $414 million (43·4%) was
5 Ghebreyesus TA, Swaminathan S. Scientists are
research prioritisation and understand related to COVID-19, with further rapid sprinting to outpace the novel coronavirus.
current research capabilities and funding continuing to be awarded. Of Lancet 2020; 395: 762–64.
capacity. But with data disaggregated the 2020 data, only $7·5 million (1·8%)
in multiple funding bodies and of $421·3 million funding related to
www.thelancet.com/microbe Vol 1 June 2020 e61

Correspondence: Monitoring Investments in Coronavirus Research and Development

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Correspondence: Monitoring Investments in Coronavirus Research and Development

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Correspondence: Monitoring Investments in Coronavirus Research and Development

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Correspondence

www.thelancet.com/microbe Vol 1 June 2020 e61

You might also like