The UK is grappling with a perfect storm of healthcare challenges. Our population is ageing, with more people developing multiple long-term conditions and living with them for longer. This shift is placing unprecedented pressure on our NHS, which is struggling to keep pace with the increasing demand.
The stark reality is that 4 million people are out of work due to ill health – a situation that not only impacts individual well-being but also burdens our health system and national productivity.
Compounding these issues is a concerning trend in the UK life sciences sector. In recent years, we’ve witnessed a significant drop in inward investment from global life science companies.
Between 2021 and 2023 alone, there was a staggering 58 per cent decrease in foreign investment. Life sciences is one of the most valuable sectors in the UK, so this decrease represents a missed opportunity for economic growth at a time when we need it most.
However, amidst these challenges lies an incredible opportunity. I welcome the Prime Minister’s recent proposals for modernising the NHS, including leveraging AI to optimise NHS operations.
If harnessed effectively and responsibly, these innovative technologies could help to address some of the pressing issues facing our NHS whilst also driving economic growth.
The Future of Innovation in Healthcare
AI has the potential to transform the entire value chain in pharmaceuticals – from the initial discovery of molecules to testing in clinical trials, manufacturing and supply, and the delivery of care to patients.
To put this in perspective, consider the traditional drug development process. On average, it takes 12 years to take a molecule from initial discovery in the lab to becoming available to patients.
Behind that one success is a series of sometimes 5,000 candidates that were assessed and ultimately deemed unsuitable. At Sanofi, we’re at the forefront of the AI healthcare revolution. Our goal is to halve the time needed for this process so that new medicines and vaccines can reach patients faster than ever before.
In drug discovery, we’re using AI to analyse vast quantities of data and identify the most promising molecules. For example, our BioAIM program uses AI to identify high-quality candidates that fit the right profiles of need in areas like cancer and rare diseases.
It functions like a flight control hub guiding a spacecraft to the moon. Just as a mission control team gathers data to adjust the spacecraft’s path for success, BioAIM helps carve out the drug discovery route that has the best possible chance of success before we take off.
In clinical trials, AI is helping us to identify trial sites that reach and engage a more diverse range of patients. This means that communities that have historically been underrepresented can take part in clinical research, such as older adults, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities.
Lastly, we’re using AI to accelerate patient pathways. We have a number of pilot projects in partnership with the NHS across the UK. For example, we’re using AI to analyse data from electronic health records and identify people at risk of rare genetic conditions. This helps to speed up diagnosis times, support individual patients and reduce strain on the overall healthcare system.
The UK is well-positioned to lead globally in AI application to healthcare. We boast the world’s third most valuable tech sector, a wealth of NHS healthcare data to leverage, and globally renowned academia in science and technology. However, successfully launching this innovative technology – and indeed, reaping the rewards of the new medicines it can help discover – will require significant investment from global life sciences companies. To make that happen, we need to fix the medicines access environment and make the UK an attractive place for investment.
Improving the UK Life Sciences Environment to Harness AI
Currently, there’s a significant gap in access to new medicines between the UK and other European countries. When a doctor prescribes a medicine to a patient, they assume they will be getting the best. In reality, they will receive only the best medicine available in the UK.
For every 100 patients receiving a new medicine in its first year of launch in EU countries, only 21 patients in the UK will do so. This disparity is not just a statistic; it represents missed opportunities for better patient outcomes and improved quality of life. The UK sees poorer health outcomes versus comparable countries, with significantly worse results for many conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and stroke. It also impedes economic growth and puts additional challenges on our healthcare system.
So, how can we improve things?
Other countries have implemented forward-thinking policies and flexible approaches to medicine access, enabling swift launches of new treatments. In the UK, we need to update the NICE appraisal process and improve the commercial options available for companies bringing forward new medicines for use in the NHS. The ABPI and the NHS Confederation estimate the economy could be enabled to achieve productivity gains amounting to almost £18 billion through improved uptake of innovative medicines – and that estimate is across just four classes of medicines.
Final Thought: Kick-starting a Virtuous Circle
We now have a genuine opportunity for our industry to collaborate with government, harness the power of AI and create a virtuous circle of health and wealth.
By improving access to and uptake of innovative medicines, we can create a healthier and more productive population. This improved operating environment will also, in turn, make the UK an attractive place for investment from global life sciences companies and enable the adoption of new and innovative technologies such as AI. Our sector was worth over £94 billion to the UK economy in 2021 and employed 280,000 people – a contribution that could grow substantially with a re-energised operating environment.
Together, we can make the UK a healthcare and life sciences powerhouse, benefiting patients, the NHS, and the economy as a whole. The future of healthcare is here, and it’s powered by AI and innovation. Let’s seize this opportunity and lead the way.
Cover image via Shutterstock AI/ Shutterstock: Other Images supplied by Sanofi.
Rippon Ubhi
DesignationCountry Lead, Sanofi UK & Ireland
