Board unveiled to promote the UK's life science expertise

A new strategy board, tasked with promoting the UK's expertise in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and health care sectors, has been unveiled by the Trade and Investment Minister, Digby Jones. Chaired by Chris Brinsmead, president of AstraZeneca UK, the LifeScience Marketing Strategy Implementation Board is part of a new strategy unveiled by Lord Digby last November that aims to demonstrate the country's world-leading position in life sciences, whilst combating intense and growing global competition in this sector.

The UK health care sector alone was worth L120.0 billion ($238.56 billion) in 2006. In that year, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries were the largest combined investor in R&D, increasing investment by 10.5% and contributing to an overall national spend of L21.0 billion. The sector is also a huge contributor to British exports. In 2006, the drug industry contributed over L12.0 billion and the health care goods and services sector over L14.0 billion to UK exports. Commenting on the new intiative, Lord Digby said: "the board announced today will be a critical driving force behind the strategy to give the UK LifeSciences sector a new and powerful voice on the global stage."

Chris Brinsmead, chairman of the UK LifeScience Marketing Strategy Implementation Board, said that the UK health care industry is "hugely creative and dynamic with a long tradition of success. We are rightly number one in Europe, but in a world where business can invest anywhere around the globe, we have to work even harder to protect our status as a center for R&D innovation for the future."