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Session 1 - Opening Plenary: UK Life Sciences at a Crossroads: How Do We Move Faster, Smarter and Ensure the Biggest Patient Impact During the Next Decade of Medical Product Development?
Session Chair(s)
Lawrence Tallon
Chief Executive Officer, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), United Kingdom
Cynthia L. Verst, PharmD, MS
President, R&D Solutions D&DI; 2023 President, IQVIA, United States
SESSION OVERVIEW The UK life sciences sector in 2026 is experiencing a strong period of renewal, driven by major financial investments, updated clinical trial regulations, and the creation of the MHRA strategic roadmap toward improving patient access. As global competition for investment in research and development, and talent acquisition to drive innovation intensifies, this opening plenary will explore how the UK can sustain and strengthen its position as a global leader in medical product development. Speakers will examine the opportunities and pressures shaping the UK ecosystem, from scientific excellence and regulatory agility to NHS adoption, digital transformation, and international competitiveness. They will discuss the collaborations, investments, and implementation pathways needed to translate scientific strength into faster development, broader innovation adoption, and meaningful patient benefit.
SESSION IMPACT: Attendees will be able to take away insights that will help them make strategic decisions within their organizations as they position them for the future and make decisions about future directions, investments and staffing. The discussion will contain valuable intelligence on how the UK currently plans to convert its scientific strengths into faster development, broader adoption, and great patient benefit in an increasingly competitive global landscape.
Speaker(s)
Opening challenge and framing
Lawrence Tallon
Chief Executive Officer, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), United Kingdom
Keynote on the next decade of medical product development
Sir John Bell
, United Kingdom
Panel discussion: UK as first-wave launch and investment market
Dame Kate Bingham
Managing Partner, SV Health Investors, United Kingdom
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