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The newly-formed All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Life Sciences has written to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Jane Reeves, urging her to protect and promote the life sciences sector in the government's first Budget. The group, which includes MPs and peers, convened for its first meeting in Parliament on Tuesday (15 October) to discuss the steps the Labour government should take to ensure that the UK remains a global leader in life sciences research and commercialisation. Following the meeting, the group sent a letter to the Chancellor, expressing their support for the Labour Party's life sciences strategy, A Prescription for Growth, which was published before the general election. They urged the Chancellor to maintain government funding for life sciences research and manufacturing, as well as the tax reliefs that encourage investment, in the Budget set for 30 October. Kit Malthouse MP, chair of the APPG, emphasised the potential of the life sciences sector, saying, "The Life Sciences sector holds out an incredible promise that the UK can be at the forefront of humanity's battle with disease and at the same time build a 21st century knowledge-based economy.

"The UK remains genuinely world-leading for life sciences in numerous areas - yet we continue to underperform on our potential," said Richard Torbett, Chief Executive of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI). His statement is based on recent government data indicating that the UK is not fully capitalizing on its strong historical and institutional advantages in life sciences across a range of economic, health, and research indicators. The latest 'Life sciences competitiveness indicators 2024' report from the government's Office for Life Sciences revealed that while the pharmaceutical industry leads in R&D spending with £9 billion in 2022, representing a fifth of total business investment, the country saw a notable decline in foreign direct investment (FDI), industry clinical trials, and exports. In 2023, FDI dropped by 21 per cent to £0.8 billion, following a trend that saw a 52 per cent decrease over the previous two years, including a £0.9 billion fall in FDI the year prior.

The UK must act swiftly to fend off competition if it wants to build the world's leading life sciences sciences hub, a new report suggests. A year on from the launch of the government's life science vision, the report commissioned by the the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry said although achieving the ambition remained feasible, the UK would need an attractive business environment because its competitor countries were becoming more adept at attracting investment. To achieve the ambition of the vision, the PwC-produced report suggested raising pharmaceutical R&D investment in the UK to build a 'stronger manufacturing and research infrastructure', alongside better investment in, access to and uptake of innovative medicines. It said the UK would also need to adopt a renewed approach to the priority healthcare challenges identified in the government's 'Life Science Vision', which would mean cutting the overall burden on health of dementia, cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory disease and mental health. The report quantified the size of the prize if the vision was implemented in full and the UK could emulate the successes of leading EU countries, which included: £68 billion in additional GDP over 30 years, owing to increased R&D investment £16.3 billion additional annual GDP from increased pharmaceutical exports Supporting 85,000 additional jobs Up to 40 per cent decrease in disease burden across the whole UK - for areas like cardiovascular disease, mental health conditions and Cancer. Reduced variation in speed of access to new medicines within three months of licensing for all NHS patients.

Indian pharmaceutical company Glenmark Life Sciences (GLS) has rebranded as Alivus Life Sciences, following its acquisition by consumer goods holding conglomerate Nirma Limited. It is a leading developer and manufacturer of select, high-value, non-commoditized, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in chronic therapeutic areas such as cardiovascular disease, central nervous system disease, pain management and diabetes. In March 2024, Nirma Limited, headquartered in Ahmedabad, India, acquired a 75 per cent majority stake in Glenmark Life Sciences, becoming the new promoter of the company. The pharmaceutical company has described the rebranding to Alivus Life Sciences as "an exciting new chapter" in its journey. In a press release, the company explained: "The change is reflective of the company's evolving vision aimed at further strengthening its global presence and a commitment to providing innovative solutions in the API and contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) space.

Global consumer healthcare company Haleon has launched a new centre of excellence for a global leader in consumer health which will bring together world leading academics in human behaviour and frontline healthcare professionals including community pharmacists. Unveiled at the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Congress in 'sunny' Seville, Spain on September 20, the Centre will operate as a community of healthcare professionals and specialists in behavioural science, health psychology and the social sciences to solve some of the most pressing everyday health challenges. Named the Centre for Human Sciences (CHS) the initiative will be the first major programme for healthcare professionals since the Haleon's launch on July 18 as an independent, global leader in consumer health. The Centre's mission is to support practising health professionals - pharmacists, pharmacy assistants and dental professionals - in serving their patients and communities. Combining science with deep human understanding, CHS will bring expertise in physiology together with human sciences to deliver real world-solutions and tangible interventions, resulting in measurable improvements in health outcomes through sustained behavioural change. The Centre is facilitated by Robert Horne, professor of Behavioural Medicine at UCL School of Pharmacy, who started his career as a practising pharmacist but later chose to become a behavioural scientist when he saw an opportunity to address issues around psycho-social factors that acted as a hindrance in pharmacy practice. Speaking to me in an exclusive three-way conversation alongside Tess Player, the global head of healthcare professional & health influencer marketing at Haleon, on the sidelines of the FIP Congress 2022, Prof Horne expanded on what the Centre was all about and how it would work. "We've got some good ideas, but it's not a pre-filled prescription that we're going to deliver at scale from the start. What Haleon is t

The 'Life and Health Sciences Launchpad' has been introduced to focus on the precision medicine sector. It would help businesses and researchers to level up their impact on economic growth within the region. The launchpad has been funded by Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Kerry Curran, Director of GB & EU Trade in the Department for the Economy hailed the decision to support NI's "trailblazing" sector. She said: "Life and Health Science, including our highly innovative precision medicine cluster, is an area the Department is also prioritising through its 10X Economy Vision, and this Launchpad represents a further endorsement of the world-leading growth potential of precision medicine, and indeed life and health science, in Northern Ireland.

Haleon's Community Pharmacy Pain Consultations Programme, piloted in Australia, has shown promising potential for enhancing pharmacies' roles in pain management. Running from January to May 2023, the programme was designed and tested by the Haleon Centre for Human Sciences, recognising the pressing need to optimise pain consultations between patients and pharmacists. The used a series of simple interventions, rooted in behavioural science, aimed at improving patient experiences in pharmacies. These include window posters and floor graphics to disrupt habitual behaviours and reframe patients' perceptions of the pharmacist's role. Results measured by Professor Colin Strong, head of behavioral science at IPSOS, indicated a significant increase in patient preparedness for discussing pain. Specifically, 92 per cent of patients reported feeling more prepared for these conversations after the interventions, up from 71per cent before.

In a recent announcement the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) unveiled its strategic approach to artificial intelligence (AI), as it sets out to embrace the transformative potential of AI in healthcare regulation. Building upon the Government's white paper 'A pro-innovation approach to AI regulation', released in 2023, the MHRA outlined five key strategic principles guiding its adoption of AI. These principles encompass safety, security, and robustness; appropriate transparency and explainability; fairness, accountability, and governance; and contestability and redress. A science-led organization, the MHRA was tasked with providing an independent view of its approach to AI in medicine and science, aligning with a government white paper. Recognising its role in UK's goal to be a science and tech leader by 2030, MHRA is tasked to evaluate AI's opportunities and risks across regulatory, public service, and evidence-based decision-making area.

In a delightful announcement, the University of Brighton has honoured NHS England's Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, David Webb with its prestigious Doctor of Science honorary degree Webb's award is a highlight of the university's graduation ceremony which celebrated the graduation of over 3,400 undergraduate and postgraduate students from 92 countries at the Brighton Centre this week. The accolade recognises Webb's transformative work in the pharmacy services within the NHS, highlighting the profound impact his contributions have had on delivery of healthcare across the UK. Under Webb's leadership, significant advancements have been made in integrating pharmacy into NHS care pathways, improving patient outcomes, and enhancing the role of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in the healthcare system. Webb expressed his honour stating, "I am delighted to receive the honorary award of Doctor of Science from the University of Brighton in recognition of both my contribution to pharmacy in the NHS"

Includes latest collection of China Agricultural science research and test development industry companies with annual revenue above 5 million USD.

The UK Government is investing £100 million to accelerate the use of AI in life sciences and healthcare under a new mission. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the AI Life Sciences Accelerator Mission in his speech last week. The new initiative will capitalise on the UK's unique strengths in securing "health data and cutting-edge AI." It will also help to identify those at risk of "dementia" and will ensure that patients participate in the trials at the right time to develop new treatments effectively. Henceforth, it will provide us with better data on how well new therapies work. Sunak said: "AI can help us solve some of the greatest social challenges of our time. AI could help find novel dementia treatments or develop vaccines for cancer."

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has appointed Dr Amira Guirguis as the new Chair of its Science and Research Committee, effective from the New Year. An accomplished pharmacist and renowned expert in substance misuse, Dr Guirguis was nominated by the RPS as a 'woman to watch' in 2020. Previously, she has served as the Principal Investigator for the first Home Office-licensed Pharmacist-led drug checking service in the UK, and as the MPharm Programme Director at Swansea University Medical School. A PhD in Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) detection, she has made significant contributions to the field of pharmacy, to drug policy, and has won the 2014 JPAG Geoffrey Phillips award for her groundbreaking research.

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has laid out a series of urgent actions it wants the newly elected Labour government to implement within its first 100 days in office. Among the top priorities, the ABPI has emphasised the urgent need to appoint a new Chair and Chief Executive for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Additionally, the ABPI has urged the new government to launch the Life Sciences Manufacturing Capital Grants Facility without delay. Other measures the ABPI wants Labour to prioritise include: Rapidly passing outstanding UK clinical trials legislation to enhance the UK's attractiveness for inward investment, including into research within the NHS. Increasing commercial flexibility in the NHS England Commercial Framework for New Medicines to remove barriers for companies to launch new medicines and indications so that NHS patients can access the latest innovative medicines.

The UK government has announced the launch of a new joint public-private investment programme aimed at accelerating patient access to cutting-edge treatments, enhancing clinical trials, and bolstering the country's medicines manufacturing capabilities. Supported by up to £400 million of investment, the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicine Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG) Investment Programme is set to inject significant resources into the UK's health and life sciences sector over the next five years. Believed to be the world's first major public-private collaboration of this scale globally, the VPAG Investment Programme is designed to boost economic growth and the global competitiveness of the UK's life sciences sector. It aims to strengthen the NHS by supporting innovative research and creating 18 new clinical trial hubs to fast-track the development of new medicines for patients. The programme will also streamline processes to ensure the rapid transition of new treatments from labs to wards, providing patients with faster access to cutting-edge treatments. Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting hailed this private investment as "a significant vote of confidence in the UK" highlighting that it will fast-track the next generation of treatments to NHS patients.

The Professional Records Standards Body (PRSB), which develops information standards for health and social care records, has appointed Professor Reecha Sofat as the new Chair. She will assume the role at the end of October 2024, succeeding Professor Maureen Baker CBE, who will step down after seven years as Chair of the PRSB. A Clinical Pharmacologist, Professor Sofat has held many leadership roles across the NHS, academia and scientific societies. Professor Sofat is Breckenridge Chair of Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Liverpool. She practices general internal medicine and is also an Associate Director at the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Data Science Centre (DSC) which is led by Health Data Research UK (HDRUK). With a passion for data science and extensive clinical and research insights, Professor Sofat is focused on embedding research into routine health and social care. She said: "I am passionate about using the rich health data that is already collected across NHS and social care to better understand the causes and consequences of disease and improve health outcomes.

Published 25 February 2014 Cambridge Healthtech Associates (CHA) has announced a new program to accelerate innovation in life sciences and health care. Announcing the launch of the first-ever tool in life sciences and health care to evaluate and rank new technologies and services via an end-user process.

It often seems that participating in athletic activities become hard for the body if one is not in a regular practice or getting old. One cannot avoid getting injured, but the person can surely cure those injuries with med - science.

Diagnostics developer MDNA Life Sciences has partnered with Aspire Pharma to introduce the new Mitomic Prostate Test (MPT) for clinical use in the UK.

Boehringer Ingelheim's UK & Ireland managing director Uday Bose has been elected chair of the European Medicines Group (EMG). Established in 2001, the EMG is a voice for UK operations of continental European headquartered research-based pharmaceutical companies and seeks to promote a dialogue between the UK Government, the NHS and wider stakeholders. "I am delighted to share the news that I have been elected chair," Bose wrote in a LinkedIn post, adding: "I look forward to working with the EMG to help support the ambition set out in the Life Sciences Vision for the UK to be a world leader in life sciences." Bose is a vastly experienced pharmaceutical industry leader who has had over 20 years' experience spanning general management, health economics, sales and marketing roles with national, regional and global accountability.

The government has launched a consultation into radically changing the Statutory Scheme for branded medicines (known as the Statutory Scheme). The consultation comes as delicate negotiations for replacing the alternative Voluntary Scheme are underway, potentially undermining these talks, while also further damaging industry confidence in the UK as a viable place to research, launch and supply medicine. The government proposals seek to hold average revenue clawback rates under the Statutory Scheme at historic highs of between 21-27%, compared to the pre-pandemic averages of 9.4% for the Statutory Scheme (2019-2021), and 6.88% for the Voluntary Scheme (2014-2021). The accompanying cost-benefit analysis ignores any negative impact this may have on medicine supply and wrongly claims it will boost investment. The consultation comes on the heels of government data last week showing UK life sciences foreign direct investment (FDI) fell by 47% between 2021 and 2022, down by £900m year on year. This large fall in investment coincided with a rise in the main UK clawback rate under the Voluntary Scheme from 5% to 15%, and led to the UK falling from 2nd to 9th out of 18 comparator countries for life sciences FDI in 2022. The Voluntary Scheme clawback rate now sits at a record 26.5% in 2023.