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Thursday, April 19, 2007
How will advances in science change medical care by 2020? How can government, academics, scientists, clinicians
and industry do more together to maximise the benefits of scientific progress for society? These are among the
questions up for debate at a high-level conference on Thursday, April 19.
The ground-breaking event, Healthcare Innovations: The Next Frontier, brings together some of the leading figures
in medical science to showcase UK health innovation from the laboratory bench to the bedside and how the advances
being made today will improve the care and quality of life for patients in the future.
It is the first time the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI)
and the Department of Health’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) have worked together to examine the
future of innovation in the UK.
Keynote speakers from government will be highlighting how important it is to create an environment that encourages
research and innovation within the UK. Alongside this, representatives from industry and academia will be explaining
how developments like the personalisation of medicines (pharmacogenetics), stem cell science and new diagnostic
techniques will shape the healthcare of tomorrow.
Health Minister Lord Hunt said:
"The UK is a world leader for health research, science and innovation. Our advances in medical technology are
pushing forward healthcare frontiers, transforming the quality of life for patients, revolutionising the services
the NHS offers and is providing economic benefits for the UK."
“The UK has a traditional strength in scientific achievement” said ABPI President Nigel Brooksby. “To maintain
this in future we need to demonstrate this commitment to knowledge and innovation across the public and private
sector. This conference shows the continued desire for British science to lead the world.”
“Partnership across sectors keeps the UK at the forefront of medical research,” said Roberto Solari, Chief Executive
of MRC Technology. “Scientists in the health service, industry, academia, and MRC units are increasingly working
together to allow scientific discoveries to more quickly translate into healthcare and quality of life benefits.”
Note to editors:
Journalists are welcome to attend the event and full details of the programme are available from the ABPI, MRC
and DH press offices. The conference is due to be held at the QEII Conference Centre, Westminster, London –
Thursday 19th April 2007: 10:00am – 4:50pm.
Interviews with speakers are possible in advance and on the day subject to availability.
For further information, please contact:
Richard Ley (work) 020 7747 1410 (mobile) 07715 169727
Matt Worrall (work) 020 7747 1441 (mobile) 07879 404306
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