Skip to main content

How can investment in the life sciences sector be improved?

14 November 2017

The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee continues taking evidence for its inquiry into Life Sciences and the Industrial Strategy. The Committee hears evidence from life science investors; plant and animal scientists and science parks.

Purpose of sessions

Over three evidence sessions the Committee explore the barriers that prevent the UK life sciences receiving investment; how infrastructure can support the development of life science clusters in the UK; and which areas of the strategy may need greater emphasis due to Brexit.

Witnesses

Tuesday 14 November in Committee Room 4A, Place of Westminster

At 10.10am

  • Professor Angela Karp, Director for Science Innovation, Engagement and Partnerships, Rothamsted Research
  • Dr Dave Hughes, Head of Global R&D Technology Scouting, Syngenta
  • Professor Jonathan Elliott, Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation, Royal Veterinary College

At 11.00am

  • Dr Mark Hammond, Co-founder, Deep Science Ventures;
  • John Bowler, Fund Manager and Global Sector Specialist with responsibility for the health care sector, Schroders PLC
  • Dr Peter Hughes, Healthcare Equity Analyst, AXA Framlington Biotech Fund
  • Dr Andrew Elder, Partner, Albion Capital

At 11.50am

  • Dr Glenn Crocker MBE, Representative of the UK Science Parks Association and Chief Executive of BioCity Nottingham
  • Dr Iain Thomas, Head of Life Sciences, Cambridge Enterprise
  • Dr Sally Ann Forsyth, Chief Executive Officer, Norwich Research Park

Possible questions

  • What further action is needed to engage the investor community?
  • Who should be responsible for implementing the life sciences strategy, and what role should the investor community play?
  • How important is the right infrastructure to the success of a cluster or science park and how should this infrastructure be financed?
  • Should the scope of the strategy be broadened to include life sciences outside of the bio-medical sciences?

Further information

Image: iStockphoto