Medicines Research Today

Britain's role in a global enterprise

The past 55 years have seen a revolution in our understanding of many diseases and their treatments. It has been a period in which:

• the structure of DNA was worked out, opening the way for a detailed understanding of inherited diseases and their treatment
• transplantation became a practical alternative for treating end-stage organ failure
• interferon, the first of a family of naturally occurring molecules called cytokines, was isolated, named and introduced for therapeutic use
• advanced scanning techniques were developed that have transformed the diagnosis and understanding of many human diseases
• monoclonal antibodies were discovered, enabling highly specific targeting of medicines and providing new types of medication for many diseases
• techniques for in vitro fertilisation were developed, bringing hope to many childless couples
• smallpox, a centuries-old scourge of mankind, was eradicated from the planet
• AIDS emerged, and with it the discovery of a family of human viral pathogens called retroviruses, of which HIV is one, leading to entirely new medicines to contain it
• the first gene therapy procedure was carried out, opening the way to treating serious inherited diseases
• the human genome was sequenced, laying the foundations in the coming decades for the development of many treatments for major diseases.

During this time, there has been a revolution in the number, specificity and safety of human medicines. Britain has played an important role in this process, and is recognised as a leader in medical and medicines research, with a proven record of high ethical standards and valuable skills in innovation. Many European, Japanese and American owned pharmaceutical companies fund major research groups here and research carried out in British laboratories and clinics lies at the heart of many of today's major medicines. About a fifth of the top 100 medicines in use today originated from research in this country - a record second only to that of the United States.

Britain hosts the headquarters of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA), the European Union's body for the licensing of new medicines, and has played a leading role in developing European regulatory activities. Medicines research has, however, become a truly global enterprise and this favourable situation will not be maintained without significant changes to strengthen Britain's appeal.

Until now, the UK has had particular strengths in preclinical research, pharmacology and early clinical pharmacology, but this position may be gradually eroding. The decline in skills among young people training for careers in science has a serious effect on the development of a knowledge-based industry. Apart from developing a more science-focused education system, there is a need for improved tax incentives and better regulation, so that pharmaceutical companies can enjoy a business environment where research can flourish.

The UK Clinical Research Collaboration (www.ukcrc.org) was established in 2004. It is a partnership between industry, government, professional bodies, the health service and researchfunding medical charities that support clinical research in the UK. This initiative can be seen as a recognition of the need to strengthen the funding, co-ordination and execution of both academic and clinical research in this country, to ensure that Britain remains an attractive venue for medicines research.

Clinical trials have always been a vital part of the medicine development process, as they provide data on the best ways of treating diseases. Britain has made a significant contribution to this, and continues to do so. With a high concentration of research-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, leading centres of academic medicine, and a long history of pioneering research, Britain is the leading venue in Europe for running the complex and often multinational studies needed to develop new medicines.

As well as providing new medicines for many diseases, as highlighted in this booklet, the pharmaceutical industry makes a substantial contribution to the British economy, providing income, employment and major investment. Earnings from the exports of medicines exceeded imports by £4.3 billion in 2006 and the industry has been a net earner for Britain throughout all of the past 30 years. The industry invested £3.3 billion in UK research and development in 2006 and employs more than 65,000 people, including 20,000 highly-trained scientists and doctors. In addition, the industry generates another 250,000 jobs in related industries. The pharmaceutical industry carries out more research by far than any other industry sector in the UK, bringing major health benefits to patients in Britain and all over the world.