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.
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 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.
The ‘Pro-innovation Regulation of Technologies Review – Life Sciences’, published at the end of May 2023, highlights areas where improvements can be made to the UK’s regulatory environment to further enable innovation and a thriving life sciences sector. It presents ambitious ideas on developing innovation pathways and ways to support and retain talent in the regulatory organisations to ensure speed to market for new products.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced a comprehensive ‘Life Sci for Growth’ package of support for the UK life sciences sector, designed to grow the economy through improving regulation around clinical trials, manufacturing, skills and infrastructure.
The European Commission’s (EC) long-awaited proposals for reforming pharma legislation have been published. The main thrust of the proposals is to create a single EU market for medicines to replace existing fragmentation and improve access for EU citizens.
The UK’s BioIndustry Association (BIA) and Clarivate have published their latest report into biotech financing for the period December 2022 to February 2023.
While the UK science sector remains committed to association with the international research programme Horizon Europe, the British government has announced its own alternative, which would be implemented if negotiations falter.
In order to strengthen the UK’s regulatory environment for clinical trials in an increasingly competitive global market, the government plans to prioritise safety and efficacy, while minimising regulatory burdens on trial sponsors.
