U.K. agrees to multibillion pound life sciences sector deal

The U.K. confirmed its plans to sign a multibillion pound life sciences sector deal as part of the government's Industrial Strategy revealed Monday. The life sciences deal, expected to be formally announced in the next few weeks, is one of four initial sector deals outlined in government's Industrial Strategy white paper published Monday.

While details are yet to be disclosed, the life sciences sector deal aims to support U.K. innovation through co-investment in R&D from private and charitable organizations with "significant commitments" from the government. The deal builds on John Bell's industry recommendations for building a strong life sciences sector in the wake of Brexit published in the Life Sciences Industrial Strategy report in August. Bell is Regius professor of medicine at the University of Oxford and chairman of the U.K.’s Office for the Strategic Coordination of Health Research (see BioCentury, Oct. 26)...