Early Access Scheme in Global Spotlight at BIO

A UK Innovation Policy which will enable patients to get early access to new therapies was in the spotlight at the world’s largest biotech convention in San Diego, California, (June 23-26).

Speaking at a policy session on the UK’s new Early Access to Medicines Scheme at the BIO International Convention in San Diego, Dr Ian Hudson, Chief Executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), explained the scheme and encouraged companies from around the globe to consider the UK as a great place to research and develop new therapies.

Dr Hudson said:

“The Early Access to Medicines Scheme offers the opportunity for patients with life threatening or seriously debilitating conditions where there are inadequate treatment options to receive promising new medicines ahead of their formal licensing process.

“MHRA is keen to support the development of novel innovative medicines and the recent integration of NIBSC, the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, strengthens our ability to provide advice and support to those developing new biologics”  

Steve Bates, Chief Executive of the BioIndustry Association (BIA), who chaired the session said:

“The BIA has long championed regulatory modernisation to keep pace with emerging science. Today’s session shows that UK innovation in access to medicine and the UK life sciences strategy is on the global map. The Early Access Scheme is just one part of the UK strategy for life sciences which is getting the UK noticed on the global stage as a key location for drug discovery and development.”

“One of the facets that makes the UK an unrivalled ecosystem that brings together businesses, researchers, clinicians and patients to translate discovery into clinical use is our leading health regulation and health economics capacity in the MHRA and NICE.

“Having global bio-pharma investors meet first hand with UK regulators and see Ian’s commitment to excellence and the MHRA’s desire to be globally relevant and enablers to new science makes a material difference.“