BIVDA met with Callum Anderson MP in Portcullis House last week to discuss challenges facing UK diagnostics companies and how to work more closely with the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Mr Anderson is currently a Parliamentary Private Secretary in the department.
We noted the regulatory hurdles which face many of our companies and the difficulties of scaling-up. If these issues are not adequately addressed, we risk harming our status as a science and innovation superpower in future.
We also raised our concerns about maintaining the attractiveness of the UK market, emphasising the need for continued private investment from the UK and abroad to maintain the health of our industry and prevent an exodus of companies to the United States and elsewhere.
Mr Anderson was greatly receptive and assured us that he would present our policy proposals to the Science Minister Lord Vallance.
