UK opportunity to accelerate development of new medicines

New report shows a coordinated approach is needed to ensure academic discoveries are not lost and can be taken forward with industry to develop new treatments. 

UK scientists are developing advanced laboratory and computer models of human biology that could greatly reduce costs associated with failed clinical trials and accelerate the development of new medicines. However, at present, too many of these models fail to transition from university labs to commercial medicine development.

To address this issue, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) have published a landmark review examining the UK's capabilities in developing human-relevant pre-clinical models for medicine development.

The report, 'From models to medicines: A landscape review of human-relevant pre-clinical model development in the UK', reveals a significant ‘translational readiness gap’ between predictive models developed in academic settings and what pharmaceutical companies need to develop effective medicines. [1]

Currently, about 10 per cent of medicines research and development programmes eventually result in an approved medicine [2], with a lack of sufficiently predictive methods for identifying treatments at the pre-clinical stage seen as the main technical bottleneck in drug discovery. [3]

Pre-clinical models, whether animal-based, laboratory-based, or computer simulations, are essential tools for understanding human biology and testing potential treatments before they reach patients. When these models poorly predict human responses, the consequences include wasted resources, treatment delays, and continued reliance on medicines that need improvement.

The review finds that, while the UK excels in innovative model development in academic settings, most of these models are not ready for industry adoption due to challenges with validation, standardisation, and scalability.

The review introduces a new Translational Readiness Framework to assess model readiness and identifies critical factors that must be addressed to turn cutting-edge academic science into scalable, industry-ready commercial tools for developing real-world treatments for patients:

·       Materials: Models must be developed using the most suitable components for intended applications, rather than simply relying on readily-available cells

·       Technical limitations: Multi-organ systems that recreate how medicines behave in the body remain particularly challenging to develop and must be a key priority in future study

·       Infrastructure gaps: Further support is needed to scale academic models into scientifically robust, validated systems for pharmaceutical use

The review highlights significant opportunities following the announcement of the 2025 Life Science Sector Plan, including the establishment of a pre-clinical translational models hub. This initiative will bring together industry and academic scientists to collaborate on developing and scaling laboratory models for the development of medicines.

Alongside the hub, the planned UK Centre for Validation of Alternative Methods  will also establish qualification pathways and standards, providing the regulatory clarity needed for wider adoption of innovative models.

Dr Joanna Jenkinson, Director of Innovation and Research Policy at the ABPI said: "The UK has exceptional scientific strengths in early-stage research, with world-class scientists creating sophisticated systems that capture aspects of human biology previously impossible to study.

“However, coordinated action is needed to close the translational readiness gap, and ensure many more promising models are used in medicine development.

"By addressing these challenges through cross-sector investment in standardisation, materials, validation infrastructure and skills development, we can develop more predictive models of human biology, reduce failure rates in medicines development, and strengthen the UK's competitive position in life sciences."

Dr Vicky Robinson, Chief Executive of the NC3Rs said: “The UK scientific community has a strong track record in developing pre-clinical in vitro models. Our collaboration with the ABPI has identified that more focused investment and training are required to ensure these models are fully translated, improving their reach into industry and their potential to replace the use of animals in pre-clinical research.

“In particular, the Translational Readiness Framework developed through this work will be a critical tool for enabling academic researchers and industry scientists to ensure models are fit-for-purpose.”

Professor Patrick Chinnery, Executive Chair of the Medical Research Council, said: "Accurate models of human disease are crucial for medical research across sectors.

“They enable us to better understand how diseases emerge and progress, while also allowing us to test potential medicines for safety and efficacy with greater confidence.

“This review shows that government and commercial funders recognise the importance of high-quality human relevant models and are working together to overcome barriers to their development.

“As highlighted in the review, the Government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan includes a commitment to establish a pre-clinical translational models hub.

“We will soon open for applications to host the Hub, funded through MRC, as part of UK Research and Innovation, which will bring cross-disciplinary researchers together to accelerate the development of new human disease models"