Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
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Government publishes response to review and refresh of bioscience 2015
Today, 7 May 2009, Business Secretary Peter Mandelson announced a range of actions on bioscience aimed at ensuring Britain remains a world leader in the sector.
In the Government's response to the independent report "Review and Refresh of Bioscience 2015", Peter Mandelson outlined key commitments to encourage the development of bioscience in the UK and to create supportive conditions for bioscience investment, including:
* Government and industry to develop a new stratified disease strategy to support the development of drugs that are effective in niche populations
* NHS to include clinical research metrics in the annual Quality Accounts produced by Trusts. Aim to double the number of patients participating in clinical studies over the next five years.
* A consultation on changes to the taxation system relating to innovation activity
* BERR and DH to create a database of companies across the industry to provide reliable data as a base for policy decisions.
Speaking to bioscience business leaders Lord Mandelson said:
"We want the UK to be one of the best places in the world to create, grow and base a hi-tech, high-growth company. Bioscience is one of the key sectors we identified in New Industry New Jobs that will take the British economy forward in the 21st century. Government and industry must work together to create a business environment that encourages innovation and investment in life sciences. Our response to Sir David Cooksey's report outlines Government actions to support the sector, and I look forward to working with the industry to make sure they can maximise the opportunities these create."
Lord Drayson, Minister for Science and Innovation, added:
"The Government Response to the Review and Refresh of Bioscience 2015 is the first and key part of a broader cross government strategy on life sciences. This agenda will continue to be driven forward by the Office for Life Sciences. The OLS will be taking up the commitment, already spelled out in the Budget, to explore the tax treatment of Intellectual property to enhance UK competitiveness. Furthermore, the Government is committed to working with a wide range of companies, through the OLS, to create an environment in the UK where life sciences can flourish, where innovation can prosper, and where the NHS is a leading customer of new and innovative medicines and technologies. In July we will publish a Life Sciences Industrial Blueprint, detailing the actions the OLS has taken to improve the operating environment for the life sciences industry."
To underline the strength of the sector, Trade and Investment Minister Lord Davies will today also meet about 100 academics and businesspeople to mark the latest milestones in the UK's strategy for marketing our world-class life sciences businesses overseas, to boost exports and encourage investment. Life Sciences were identified in Building Britain's Future - New Industry, New Jobs as a key area that will help to bring the UK out of the downturn.
Notes to Editors
1. The Govt response to the Bioscience 2015 Review and Refresh report is available at http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file51169.pdf
2. Bioscience 2015 Review and Refresh was led by Sir David Cooksey and was published on 22 January 2009. It is available at http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file49805.pdf
3. Subsequent to the launch of the report, the Prime Minister announced the creation of the Office for Life Sciences. The Bioscience 2015 report and the Government response provide a strong basis for the continuing work of the OLS in building on even stronger life sciences industry, as a key sector to drive forward the future growth of the economy. The OLS is also an important strand in the industrial activism agenda. The Government Response is an important start to the OLS' delivery of cross Government action and a broader strategy on life sciences. Lord Drayson is leading the Office for Life Sciences and has set a six month deadline for action.
4. In July, the OLS will publish a Life Sciences Industrial Blueprint, detailing the actions is taking to improve the operating environment for the life sciences industry.
5. New Industry New Jobs was published on 20 April 2009. It outlined the Government's vision for our future economy and highlighted key sectors including bioscience that will build Britain's success in the 21st century. It is available at http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file51023.pdf
6. A key part of this is a new skills activism, which will focus our skills system, the knowledge in our universities and the way we support research through our record investment in science to meet the demands and opportunities Government creates when it acts in other areas of the economy.
7. For more information on the UK's life sciences marketing strategy, please visit http://www.marketinglifescience.co.uk.
