Strengthening the UK’s life sciences ecosystem: A call for innovation, collaboration, and investment
The life sciences sector has long been recognized as a vital component of the UK’s economy and healthcare system. With cutting-edge research, transformative technologies, and a robust manufacturing base, the UK is well-positioned to lead in this field.
However, to unlock its full potential, there are critical areas where government policy, collaboration across industries, and strategic investment need to evolve. These discussions were at the heart of the recent Life Sciences Summit, where leaders from industry, academia, and healthcare came together to address the pressing challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
The need for a competitive and collaborative UK
A key theme from the summit was the need for the UK to remain competitive on a global scale. Baroness Merron’s ambition to make the UK a “global example for collaboration” and “the best place for innovation” resonated throughout the discussions. But as industry leaders pointed out, achieving these goals requires more than just strategic intent—it demands action.
The pharmaceutical industry’s representatives emphasized that collaboration is no longer enough if it cannot be scaled or simplified. Industry leaders, including General Managers from companies like Novo Nordisk and Autolus UK, stressed the need for a shift in mindset to modernize regulatory processes, especially within bodies like NICE. They called for clearer lines of accountability and more proactive steps from bodies such as the NHS England to ensure that innovations are integrated more efficiently into healthcare delivery.
“The real question is how we make the UK more competitive, not just globally, but also compared to other countries,” one industry leader remarked. The solution, many agreed, lies in strengthening public-private partnerships and ensuring that the UK’s regulatory frameworks, reimbursement models, and healthcare system can absorb and scale innovations effectively.
Rethinking regulatory models and supporting innovation in the life sciences sector
Another critical point raised during the summit was the role of NICE in evaluating new treatments and technologies.
As Aaron Bateman of Autolus UK noted, the existing model of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) often doesn’t work for rare diseases or novel treatments like gene therapies.
The inability to conduct head-to-head studies for smaller patient populations means that NICE’s traditional approach may not be the best fit for evaluating such innovations.
“We need to rethink the way NICE evaluates treatments for rare diseases and cancers,” said Bateman. The conversation highlighted the importance of using real-world data and synthetic control models to prove the value of new therapies, especially when traditional trial designs are not feasible.
The challenge, as discussed, is ensuring that regulators and the NHS are equipped to handle the complexities of these new treatments. For instance, integrating gene and cell therapies into NHS pathways requires new codes, reimbursement structures, and evidence generation models, which are currently underdeveloped.
Breaking Down Barriers in Treasury and Government Policy
While the discussions at the summit were largely centered on industry challenges, one of the most important calls for action came from those looking at the government’s role in facilitating life sciences growth.
“Historically, the Treasury hasn’t been one of the places where we get listened to,” said Angela McFarlane, Chair of the Summit. “We need to make the case that investing in life sciences isn’t just about increasing the medicine budget. It’s about driving economic growth, improving productivity, and reducing long-term costs for the NHS.”
Ben Howlett, meeting chair and summit rapporteur, added that industry leaders need to engage with Treasury officials directly to make the economic case for increased funding. The key, he stressed, was not just asking for more money but framing the argument around the long-term value that life sciences can deliver in terms of tax revenue, job creation, and reduced healthcare costs.
The role of life sciences in prevention, digital health, and medical technology
One of the most forward-thinking aspects of the summit was the recognition that life sciences innovation isn’t just about new medicines and therapies. There’s a growing focus on prevention, health technology, and digital health solutions.
Sameer Kothari from Health Innovation Manchester highlighted that while therapeutics have received significant investment over the years, it’s now time to shift some of that focus toward prevention and digital health.
“Prevention is a huge part of the future life sciences economy,” said Kothari, emphasizing the need for a more balanced investment strategy that includes digital health, diagnostics, and prevention technologies. However, he pointed out that for this shift to happen, there must be a fundamental rethinking of how these innovations are valued for reimbursement purposes.
The importance of including non-pharma voices in these discussions was also raised, with calls for a better representation of MedTech, digital health, and prevention experts in future policy debates.
system readiness and reallocating existing resources
Many of the challenges facing the NHS and life sciences sector stem from systemic issues, such as insufficient infrastructure for new technologies, and the lack of preparedness for integrating digital health solutions.
Ben Howlett pointed out that there are already existing assets in the healthcare system, such as case care records, that could be scaled up for greater value. Greater Manchester, for example, has made significant progress in using electronic health records at scale, generating a return on investment that is growing year-on-year.
“We need to be honest about what we’ve already spent money on,” Howlett said. “Let’s focus on getting better value from what we already have, and look for incremental wins alongside pushing for the next frontier.”
A unified economic argument for growth
As the summit drew to a close, Angela McFarlane set the tone for the next steps: A unified, compelling economic argument for life sciences investment. This argument, McFarlane stressed, must be built on the evidence and data available—showing that life sciences innovation is not a burden but a critical enabler of a stronger, more resilient healthcare system.
“Growth is the only game that matters,” she concluded. “We need to demonstrate that life sciences innovation isn’t just about medicines; it’s about driving real, tangible growth in productivity, tax revenue, and the overall economic health of the UK.”
Final thoughts
The UK’s life sciences sector is at a crossroads. To secure its place as a global leader in healthcare and innovation, the sector must address regulatory challenges, foster deeper collaboration between industry and government, and make a compelling economic case for investment.
The Life Sciences Summit underscored the urgency of these issues and highlighted that, with the right strategies and investments, the UK can become a beacon of innovation and growth in the global life sciences landscape.
Featured image via Mongta Studio/Shutterstock.
