The National Institute for Health Research will meet in London today to discuss the latest developments and opportunities in the UK clinical research environment and highlight new and ongoing National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) initiatives.
The theme for the event is ‘The Future Now’ and is set to attract approximately 150 delegates from pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical technology, diagnostic companies and Contract Research Organisations.
Two new NIHR programmes of work are also revealed:
Patient Engagement in Clinical Development:
A new pilot service which helps companies to involve patients at the very beginning of the clinical development process to promote a truly ‘patient first’ approach.
MedTech: Bringing innovation to the NHS:
This new campaign aims to highlight how the NIHR supports medical technology and device companies (MedTech) to develop their innovative ideas and products for use in the NHS.
Attendees will hear keynote speakers discuss recent achievements, current priorities and future goals and discover how these are enhancing the UK’s strengths and ability to deliver clinical research. Attendees will also have the opportunity to take part in interactive parallel sessions which will highlight the breadth of work being undertaken by the NIHR. These sessions are focussed around some of the prevalent challenges posed to the life sciences industry and will explore solutions which aim to maintain the UK’s position as a global leader in clinical research.
The day will conclude with a panel session with representation from industry, research charities, academia and the NHS and will debate a key question from the day.
Confirmed keynote speakers include:
- Lord O’Shaughnessy, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health, Department of Health and Social Care
- Professor Sir Michael Rawlins, Chair of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
- Samantha Roberts, Director of Innovation and Life sciences, NHS England
The full programme of speakers is available on the event website: www.nihr.ac.uk/TheFutureNow.
