National Innovation Plan consultation

In May 2016, the Academy submitted evidence to the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills consultation on a National Innovation Plan, which sought views on how the UK should further develop its innovation framework. The UK is an international leader in science and innovation, being ranked second in the Global Innovation Index in 2015, but maintaining this global eminence requires continual adaptation to new challenges and technologies.

Our response focused on those issues most pertinent to medical innovation, with particular emphasis on how the UK must embrace the ongoing healthcare revolution in precision medicine (also known as stratified medicine). Specifically, our input underscored:

• The importance of the NHS as a driver and consumer of medical innovation.
• The role that healthcare and genetic data can play in developing targeted medicines and technologies.
• The vital contribution of Innovate UK to the innovation landscape.

The Academy has previously carried out extensive work on how the UK can realise the potential of stratified medicine, and continues to facilitate discussions between industry, academia, the NHS and other stakeholders on how best to promote UK innovation through our FORUM events.