UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Medical Research Council (MRC) is investing £2 million to support research into cancers with poor survival rates. These include studies into cancers of the brain, lung and oesophagus.
As part of its £650m ‘Life Sci for Growth’ scheme to boost the life sciences sector and the wider economy, the government will establish a Medicines Manufacturing Skills Centre of Excellence with a dedicated £5.5m fund.
Britain’s life science community is celebrating the country’s return to the EU Horizon Europe research programme, which was announced on 7 September 2023.
The third annual Pharma Reputation Index, commissioned by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), has found that the public looks favourably on the industry and continues to recognise its commitment to developing new medicines.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is inviting feedback on plans to end use of the European Commission Decision Reliance Procedure (ECDRP) to bring medicines to market.
Roadblocks from the EU, and the UK government’s determination to get a ‘fair settlement’ on associate membership, are harming international collaborative research programmes and, ultimately, patients’ access to innovative treatments and devices.
The UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has announced an indefinite extension to the use of CE marking for businesses in the UK, beyond the 2024 deadline. The aim is to cut business costs and products’ time to market. The government intends to implement major reforms to the current regulatory framework for medical devices, with core parts set to apply from 1 July 2025.
The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) annual report and accounts for 2022-2023 was printed on 19 July 2023. The report outlines achievements during the year, such as its evolution into a ‘One Agency’ organisation, uniting its regulatory, research and standards and clinical data service.
Draft legislation has been published by the UK government on a proposed merged R&D tax relief scheme. If implemented, the reform would affect companies claiming R&D tax relief under either the Research and Development Expenditure Credit (RDEC) or the small or medium enterprises (SME) R&D relief.
A High Court judgment on a judicial review brought by the British Generic Manufacturers Association (BGMA) has dismissed the organisation’s claim that it was unfairly excluded from talks on the next Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access (VPAS).
