UK government announces new multimillion investment to support medtech innovation and growth…

More than £800 million has been awarded to specialistresearch centres in the UK to support research in experimental medicine and improve patient safety.

The government has announced that it will invest the funds into specialised research centres across the country, which will be allocated by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). This funding will support breakthrough scientific discoveries in new treatments, diagnostic tests and medical technologies to improve patients’ lives and boost the economy.

Nearly £790 million has been awarded to 20 NIHR Biomedical Research Centres throughout England over the next five years, with the funding designed to stimulate innovation in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in several high-priority areas, including cancer, mental health and dementia.

The remaining £25 million has been awarded to six NIHR Patient Safety Research Centres (PSRCs) over the next five years to help better understand and address patient safety challenges.

Funding will be distributed across England to increase the coverage of experimental medicine, with more than £260 million invested outside of London, Oxford and Cambridge.

These commitments will make it possible for more areas to benefit from innovation, improve health and care services and reduce health inequalities.

Health and Social Care Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Thérèse Coffey said:

“The pandemic has highlighted the importance of our booming research sector and the potential it has to not only strengthen health and care services, but lead to lifesaving developments.”

“This additional funding will harness the UK’s world-leading innovation and allow research centres up and down the country to attract experts in their field and conduct research that saves lives.”

“From helping develop the COVID-19 vaccine to discovering world-first treatments, these centres have already delivered ground-breaking research and will continue to help us tackle some of the biggest health challenges we face, including cancer, to ensure the NHS continues to deliver world-class care.”

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