17th April 2015
BIA notes key role of the research councils in the UK life sciences sector
In its response today to the Nurse Review of Research Councils, the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA) notes the vital role of the research councils in the UK’s life sciences ecosystem.
Fundamentally, the BIA notes that the number and size of the research councils is generally seen by the life sciences industry to be appropriate and fit for purpose. A dramatic change or restructuring of the research councils could be a misstep, destabilising the current system which is broadly working well. As such, the BIA recommends that any government proposal to re-structure this system must be rigorously evidence-based.
The BIA’s response also makes recommendations including the following:
The sector benefits from a stable evidence-led industrial strategy from Government – including continued support for the Eight Great Technologies – alongside use of the Haldane principle to ensure independence of research councils from Government and an integral role for scientists in funding decisions.
To benefit from an in-depth understanding of industry needs, input from companies (including the small to medium-sized enterprises which are a key part of the medical biotechnology sector) is valuable in prioritising both academic and industrial strategy related funding.
The Biomedical Catalyst funding scheme has been a particularly effective example of cross-working between the Government’s innovation body (Innovate UK) and the Medical Research Council. It has progressed biomedical research in the UK and leveraged additional private finance into the sector, and BIA will call on the next Government to commit to its continuation.
The involvement of Catapult Centres in academic translational work has potential to shorten the development process and lead to projects that are more investable by private capital, so funding opportunities should closely integrated to enable the research councils, Catapults and industry (especially SMEs) to participate in collaborative R&D grants.
As also set out in the BIA’s recent response to the Dowling Review, there should be clearly defined routes for academic institutions to procure expensive but industrially relevant equipment such as that needed for bio-manufacturing.
Commenting on the review, BIA Chief Executive Officer Steve Bates said:
“The UK’s biomedical ecosystem is built on world class science and it’s vital that excellence is continued. Industry, academia, government and research councils all work together and have a key role in translating that science into health and wealth.”
Links:
The BIA’s submission to the Nurse Review
The Nurse Review call for evidence
The BIA’s recent submission to the Dowling Review of Business-University Research Collaborations