Exeter MP Steve Race has praised the University of Exeter’s Centre for Medical Mycology as a world leader in the fight against deadly fungal diseases, highlighting its global importance during a parliamentary debate last week.
Speaking in the House of Commons on 15 May, Mr Race took the opportunity to champion the university’s groundbreaking research while supporting continued UK investment in Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the Global Fund.
“These programmes save lives and support innovation,” he told MPs.
“The Centre for Medical Mycology in Exeter is part of a small but crucial community of researchers working to better understand, prevent and treat fungal infections.
I’m incredibly proud of the science being done here in Exeter to save millions of lives around the world.”
The debate focused on the UK’s funding commitments to global vaccination efforts. Since its creation 25 years ago, Gavihas helped save more than 18 million lives, delivering vaccines to children in low-income countries. According to government figures, every £1 invested in immunisation yields £54 in broader economic benefits.
Mr Race noted that funding for such programmes also delivers direct returns to the UK by supporting research institutions such as the University of Exeter.
Professor Neil Gow, Director of the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, described fungal infections as a “global emergency,” responsible for more than 2.5 million deaths annually - more than malaria, TB or HIV.
Despite their impact, he said fungal infections remain relatively underfunded compared to other infectious diseases. The Exeter centre, backed by nearly £60 million in research funding over the past six years, is the largest fungal research grouping in the world, with international hubs in Africa and Latin America.
“This year, we will launch a major new drug discovery effort in collaboration with the Dundee Drug Discovery Unit and GSK,” said Professor Gow.
“Our work aims to tackle major fungal killers and drug-resistant species that continue to pose a serious threat to global health.”
The centre’s recent research includes a breakthrough that could provide affordable and safe relief for the estimated 150 million women who experience recurrent thrush.
Mr Race concluded by stressing that continued UK support for global health initiatives “is not only the right thing to do, but also strategically and economically important - helping us deliver on both national and international health goals.”
