Infections account for about 10% of all deaths in the UK. The efficacy of all current anti-infectives is threatened by the spread of drug resistance factors, with some already made ineffective. Treatments are also required to tackle emerging diseases such as SARS. As a result, there is a pressing need for new antiinfective drugs. This briefing reviews the UK burden of infectious disease, current anti-infectives research and policy options to stimulate further drug development.