AHSN Network welcomes announcement on future of life sciences

Welcoming today’s announcement on the future of life sciences in the UK, Vice Chair of the national AHSN Network, Professor Mike Hannay said:

“This is great news for patients, the NHS and our life sciences sector. The right agreement between the Government and the life sciences industry will help build the UK’s status as a world leader in this sector and England’s 15 Academic Health Science Networks stand ready to continue to accelerate the spread and adoption of innovation to improve patient health and save money.

“I also welcome the government’s commitment to the vision of helping the sector become an international benchmark for success by today announcing £160 million of funding to support the sector including the NHS.

“Since 2013 the work of the AHSNs has benefited six million people and we have spread over 200 innovations across the health and care system. We identify local health challenges, work with industry partners and clinicians to identify solutions and then use our expertise to get those innovations into hospitals and other clinical settings as fast as possible.

“The new strategy highlights the role of AHSNs in pivotal areas. It recognises our links to universities which ensure innovations are properly evaluated and are evidence based; our role in regions to identify and coalesce the local vision for life sciences and the promising early start we have made helping SMEs overcome a difficult route to market.

“The AHSN Network is already poised to coordinate ‘Innovation Exchanges’ so that innovative new diagnostic tools, treatments and medical technologies reach patients faster. This was the first welcome step following the Accelerated Access Review to speed up patient access to new technologies.”

Read the full report here: Life Sciences – Industrial Strategy.