BHF comment
UK Government unveils new Life Sciences Sector Plan
The UK Government has launched a new Life Sciences Sector Plan, aiming to make the UK the top life sciences economy in Europe by 2030, and third globally by 2035.
The plan is backed by £2 billion in public funding, alongside investment from UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). It will focus on three key pillars: boosting world-class research and development, making the UK a top destination for life sciences businesses, and driving innovation in healthcare, including in the NHS.
"Help researchers grasp the moment"
In response to publication of the plan, our Chief Scientific and Medical Officer Bryan Williams said:
"A thriving life science sector is key to unlocking the next generation of treatments and cures for some of the UK's biggest killers, including cardiovascular disease. It's great to see the Government recognising this in today's plan, which will help researchers grasp this moment of immense scientific opportunity.
“We welcome the pledge to continue investing in science which drives life-changing discoveries in medicine, whilst ensuring that patients benefit quickly from those discoveries. The commitment to shift health research funding towards making advances in prevention is also very encouraging.
“As key funders of UK research and development, charities like the British Heart Foundation are vital in helping to achieve this plan's vision. We look forward to working in close partnership with Government and the wider sector to fully deliver the improvements needed."
Part of the conversation
To accelerate progress, the plan highlights 33 actions the Government will take, including the already announced £600m Health Data Research Service to help scientists develop better treatments faster, and reaffirmation of the commitment to reduce commercial clinical trial setup times to under 150 days.
Other major actions outlined in the plan include investing up to £520 million in life sciences manufacturing projects, shifting investment in health research towards prevention and multiple long-term conditions, and making regulation simpler and faster to reduce bureaucracy and get new treatments to patients faster.
We will work to understand how charities will be involved in carrying out the actions in this plan. Our focus is on ensuring that charities like ours are part of the conversation throughout.
Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:
“The life sciences sector is one of the crown jewels of the UK economy. It sits at the heart of both our Plan for Change, and our Modern Industrial strategy, as a unique catalyst for both economic prosperity, and better health outcomes for people across the UK.
“Moving in lockstep with industry, academia and our NHS, we will unleash this sector as a force for good and for growth. The suite of measures we’re announcing today will unlock its full potential — attracting global investment, accelerating innovation, and delivering breakthroughs that will make the UK healthier, wealthier, and even more open for business.”