UK scientists lead global effort to combat antifungal resistance

As drug-resistant fungal infections emerge as a growing threat to global health, researchers at the University of Exeter are spearheading a major international drive to find new solutions.

Through its pioneering FAILSAFE programme – supported by the UK Department of Health and Social Care’s Global AMR Innovation Fund (GAMRIF) – Exeter has awarded a further £1.1 million to research teams worldwide developing innovative solutions to fungal antimicrobial resistance (fAMR). This latest round brings total investment to more than £2.8 million in just one year, supporting 135 researchers across 82 countries.

Fungal infections pose a serious danger to immunocompromised patients and are increasingly impacting animals and crops. Despite claiming as many lives each year as malaria or tuberculosis, fungal diseases remain significantly under-researched. Existing antifungal drugs are limited, and growing resistance is making them less effective.

Led by Exeter’s MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, FAILSAFE funds research in five key areas: surveillance, diagnostics, drug discovery, vaccine development, and understanding resistance mechanisms. Many projects focus on low- and middle-income countries, where the burden of fungal infections is greatest.

Professor Elaine Bignell, co-lead of FAILSAFE, said:

“By supporting a global network of researchers, we’re not only advancing science but building the capacity to respond where the need is greatest. Tackling fungal resistance demands innovation and international collaboration.”

Since its launch, FAILSAFE has also built a vibrant global community of more than 800 medical mycologists, connecting experts and fostering collaboration to address one of the most urgent but overlooked health challenges of our time.

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