A joint plan across the departments for health, science, and business, the Life Sciences Sector Plan (LSSP) was released this morning, setting out how the government intends to support our key sector to grow.
Life Sciences have been identified as a key part of the government’s industrial strategy and the UK’s economic recovery. Not only is it an area we are a genuine world leader, but one where there is room to grow. The plan does not lack ambition – within five years it aspires to have the UK as the biggest life sciences economy in Europe; within ten, the biggest in the world behind the US and China. Bold indeed – and welcome.
In a refreshingly honest assessment, the plan looks at the reasons why the UK has not achieved its potential – market adoption, the availability of funding, and the relative attractiveness of international competitors are some of the areas called out.
The plan also looks at delivery. With clear objectives and named Senior Responsible Owner for each, there is ownership and accountability. The plan is also clear that delivery relies heavily on close liaison between government and industry.
Specific to the IVD sector, the plan calls out diagnostics as being key to two of the NHS’s three shifts. While obvious to professionals, this recognition has not always been present and is testament to BIVDA’s advocacy work, including feeding into the plan.
BIVDA Chief Executive Helen Dent says “The Life Sciences Sector Plan is bold, ambitious and outcome focussed. With an emphasis on delivery, accountability, and working with partners, its an exciting endorsement of the IVD industries importance to UK’s health and wealth.
“BIVDA worked closely with the Office of Life Sciences and stakeholders to inform the Plan, and we look forward to working with government again to ensure its ambitions are realised.”
Interested in discussing this further? BIVDA’s next Government Affairs Working Party will be discussing the LSSP and the NHS Ten Plan. Members can register here.
