A survey of 38 nonprofit organizations and academic institutions conducting drug discovery research in the UK provides insight into the field and highlights its areas of need. Major challenges reported were lack of infrastructure for long-term funding and collaboration. The majority (87%) of research groups are academic, with most of their research focusing on cancer (21%), infectious diseases (16%) and neurology (12%). Respondents reported little (16%) collaboration across institutes, and few groups indicated having the necessary capacity to conduct such activities as high-throughput screening, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, and clinical trials, relying instead on outsourcing. Funding for long-term support of research was reported as the area of greatest concern. Charity and nonprofit funding constituted 42% of support, with only 20% of funds coming from research councils. Respondents expressed that support was generally short term, which contrasts with the scope of their research. Annual operating costs were below £1 million ($1.65 million) for 59% of groups and £1–£50 million for 37%.

Source: Nature Reviews Drug Discovery