The man for the job
EuroBiotech
Mr. Freeman, what was the reason for the appointment of a dedicated position for the life sciences in the UK?
George Freeman
The creation of the first ever Minister for Life Sciences demonstrates the Prime Minister’s personal, and the Government’s wider, commitment to the life science sector as a key part of the UK’s wider knowledge economy. My appointment marks the culmination of years of work in this sector. As the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Life Sciences, I worked closely from 2011–13 with former Universities and Science Minister, David Willetts and the Life Science champions (John Bell and Chris Brinsmead) to launch the UK's ground-breaking Life Science Strategy, and make the case that we needed greater attention focused on this vital sector. Action we took included the first and flagship industrial strategy being concentrated on Life Sciences, a beefed up Office for Life Sciences across the Department of Health and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), a new innovation directorate in the Department of Health, and finally this Ministerial post.
EuroBiotech
The UK’s life sciences strategy mainly addresses health topics. Will you also focus on other areas, like the bioeconomy?
George Freeman
My role in BIS also encompasses a broader remit to unlock the power of our bioscience innovation economy. Working closely with Greg Clark in his broader role as Science Minister, I will look across the wider ‘life science’ sectors of biomedicine, nutrition and energy: making the UK a world leader in the technologies to ‘feed, fuel and heal’ the exploding world population, tapping into huge new investment and export markets. However, my initial focus will be on the health area of life sciences – targeting the urgent need across all the mature Western European democracies to harness 21st century Biomedical and HealthTech Innovation to ensure health is a driver of economic prosperity as well as a rising cost.
EuroBiotech
In July, a new Inward Investor Group was established to attract pharma investments in the UK. What is your assessment of this initiative?
George Freeman
Any initiative to support inward investment to the UK is to be welcomed. As Life Science Advisor, I was involved in setting up the Life Sciences Organisation whose role is to attract both inward investment and support UK companies to export their products and services abroad. This is a very important initiative, and one which holds great potential for the growth of UK companies in this sector.