East of England: Growing the Future of Life Sciences in the UK

A project completed in 2018 for Eastern Academic Health Science Network (EAHSN)

My Local Economy were commissioned to conduct an evaluation of the first two years of the EAHSN, and to author a promotional report highlighting the track record, strengths and innovative prowess of the East of England in life sciences research and business.

The report was provided to support a Parliamentary Event run by the East of England Local Government Association, to continue to highlight the importance of the East of England, particularly with respect to the emerging UK Industrial Strategy in 2018.

Steeped in history and backed by more than a millennium of knowledge creation and dissemination, England’s eastern region is where the future is being made. Having led the world in learning and pioneering new technology, the eastern region is now at the forefront of transforming science and wellbeing through innovation.

The eastern region’s life science firms and institutions make a £2.6 billion contribution to national and local economies every year. The combined workforce employed in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and medical devices research and development totalled 19,000 people in 2016, with another 39,300 full-time equivalent workers in the region’s NHS.

The report concluded with a call to action for the eastern region to host a new global accelerator for life sciences in the UK. The government should support this internationally significant institution, as the accelerator would take an overarching and strategic approach to the development of life sciences industries. Industry stakeholders in the region envisaged a new national institution, with its HQ in the eastern region and further centres in the north and midlands regions, spreading the benefits of the region’s leadership nationwide.

Access the report at EAHSN’s website here.