In a decade that has been defined by rapid technological advancement, there are immense opportunities for innovation in healthcare. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) alongside developments in new treatment methods, such as precision medicines, is reshaping the delivery of care.
These exciting developments will be pivotal in supporting the NHS to deliver on its priorities while boosting the UK’s economy – ambitions at the heart of the Government’s plans. The forthcoming Ten Year Health Plan and National Cancer Plan present opportunities to accelerate transformation.
Daiichi Sankyo has over 120 years of experience in researching and developing innovative medicines and is one of the leading research-based pharmaceutical companies in Japan. Founded on breakthrough science from our own labs in Japan, Daiichi Sankyo is driving oncology innovation globally, and we are committed to improving access to new treatments within the UK.
Revolutionising Medicine With AI
Life sciences companies are using AI to streamline the discovery of potential new treatments – delivering innovations for patients in a faster and more cost-effective way. Daiichi Sankyo has been pioneering the use of large language models (LLMs) in clinical trial design. This advancement promises improved and accelerated clinical trials that are tailored to patients’ needs.
These advancements will cut down the timelines for discovering and developing treatments – which can take over a decade – helping to enable quicker access for patients.,
Precision Medicines: A Paradigm Shift in Cancer Care
Treatments for cancer have rapidly evolved in the past few decades.
Precision medicine is at the forefront of this change. These treatments are tailored to target certain genetic expressions in a person’s cancer – known as biomarkers. This allows for the delivery of the right treatment option, for the right person, at the right time. At Daiichi Sankyo, we are pioneering therapies that target the unique genetic factors influencing patient outcomes.
While the advent of these technologies holds significant opportunity to improve outcomes in certain cancers, for patients, navigating the growing number of treatments can feel like standing before a series of doors, each leading to a different path. With each treatment holding its own set of advantages, drawbacks, and potential side effects, the decision of which path to take is becoming increasingly complex.
AI can play a key role in simplifying this process for patients, providing more effective and accessible communication to support informed treatment choice, alongside supporting clinicians in identifying the most suitable options.
The Role of Life Sciences in Helping to Meet Government Ambitions for the Nation
From precision medicine to AI-driven treatment development, the life sciences industry is not only speeding up access to potentially life-changing treatments but also driving economic growth and improving health outcomes.
The life sciences sector is already the largest contributor to UK research and development (R&D), investing £9 billion in 2022 alone, delivering £17.6 billion in gross value added to the UK economy, and providing 126,000 highly skilled jobs across the UK.iv
The Government has rightly recognised the value of the sector – prioritising life sciences as a core industry within the forthcoming Industrial Strategy.
As a Japanese company that has long valued the UK, we remain committed to growing our scientific network and innovation infrastructure here.
Looking To the Future
A healthy life sciences ecosystem is crucial to unlocking a more productive population and continuing to encourage greater investment from the industry beyond 2025.
However, to unlock the true value of the sector’s contribution, the Government should build upon its current positive momentum by supporting a flexible regulatory environment that fosters innovation and improved access for patients.
ABPI analysis suggests this could drive a 40 per cent decrease in the total UK burden of disease and potentially attract an additional £1.2 billion and 7,230 high-quality jobs annually from greater life sciences foreign direct investment.
The Government has positively signalled its ambitions to digitise healthcare and foster innovation as part of its mission to build an NHS fit for the future and the AI Opportunities Action Plan. These ambitions are inextricably linked to the regulatory environment in which companies operate. We look forward to seeing the impact of the newly formed Regulatory Innovation Office in addressing barriers to the UK’s ability to attract new innovations and investments relative to other countries.
Furthermore, to support the Government’s ambition to build an NHS fit for the future, we have launched our Accelerating Ambition campaign. We will be working in partnership with patient groups, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to set out a positive, forward-thinking vision for cancer care and innovation in the UK.
The past decade has been transformative for healthcare, including cancer care. The Government now has an opportunity to set an ambition for the next ten years to truly meet the needs of patients in the UK and beyond.
This article has been developed and funded by Daiichi Sankyo UK Ltd.
Featured image via Shutterstock.
Dr Marc Moodley
DesignationCountry Medical Director, Daiichi Sankyo UK
