Viral
hepatitis is responsible for great health, social and economic burden both globally and in the UK. This study aimed to assess the research funding awarded to UK institutions for viral
hepatitis research and the relationship of funded research to clinical and public health burden of viral
hepatitis. Databases and websites were systematically searched for information on
infectious disease research studies funded for the period 1997-2010. Studies specifically related to viral
hepatitis research were identified and categorized in terms of funding by pathogen, disease and by a research and development value chain describing the type of science. The overall data set included 6165 studies (total investment £2.6 billion) of which £76.9 million (3.0%) was directed towards viral
hepatitis across 323 studies (5.2%). By pathogen, there were four studies specifically investigating
hepatitis A (£3.8 million), 69 studies for
hepatitis B (21.4%) with total investment of £14.7 million (19.1%) and 236 (73.1%)
hepatitis C studies (£62.7 million, 81.5%). There were 4 studies investigating
hepatitis G, and none specifying
hepatitis D or E. By associated area, viral
hepatitis and
therapeutics research received £17.0 million, vaccinology £3.1 million and diagnostics £2.9 million. Preclinical research received £50.3 million (65.4%) across 173 studies, whilst implementation and operational research received £19.4 million (25.3%) across 128 studies. The UK is engaged in much hepatology research, but there are areas where the burden is great and may require greater focus, such as
hepatitis E, development of a
vaccine for
hepatitis C, and further research into
hepatitis-associated
cancers. Private sector data, and funding information from other countries, would also be useful in priority setting.