Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to improve the life sciences translation process.

The Government supports translational research in life sciences in several ways. MRC’s translational research group supports research through partnerships with other funders and major higher education institutions and through dedicated funding schemes. DSIT also co-funds the Health Innovation Network (HIN), alongside the Department of Health and Social Care. The network was established to help adoption and spread of innovation at pace and scale to improve health outcomes and generate economic growth. The Network connects the NHS, academic organisations, local authorities, charities and industry to facilitate change across health and social care economies, with a focus on improving outcomes for patients.