Committee publication · Correspondence · 1 July 2026
Correspondence from National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Medical Research Council (MRC) and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBRC), re: Geroprotector research and patient benefit of scientific innovation, 26 March 2026
Summary
Joint response from NIHR, MRC, and BBSRC to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee outlining how these research funders support the pathway from basic discovery research through clinical evaluation to NHS adoption. The organisations describe collaborative governance structures, translational funding schemes, intellectual property protections, and recent reforms to reduce administrative burden on SMEs and researchers, while addressing challenges in skills, clinical trial costs, and NHS adoption of innovations.
Key findings
- NIHR, MRC and BBSRC support the full innovation pathway from discovery research to health technology assessment through collaborative programmes, with NIHR's 2024/25 infrastructure supporting 17,953 projects.
- MRC spin-outs have leveraged £5.30 of external investment per £1 invested, raising approximately £3.1 billion in external equity between 2008 and 2023 relative to £577 million in research funding committed.
- NIHR will launch the Innovation Catalyst to accelerate pull-through of high-priority innovations with wraparound support including connections to venture capital, regulators, and procurement processes.
- NIHR is implementing a single national entry and progression model for SMEs and introducing reforms through the NIHR Industry Hub to reduce administrative burden and improve predictability in study feasibility, set-up and delivery.
- Research inclusion of older adults and those with multiple long-term conditions is now a mandatory condition of MRC and NIHR funding; NIHR's Strategic Framework for MLTCs sets out priority research ambitions and required cultural changes in funding processes.
Tone
SupportiveTopics
life-sciencesresearch-fundinginnovation-commercialisationhealth-technology-assessmentintellectual-property
Key actors
Lucy Chappell, Patrick Chinnery, Anne Ferguson-Smith, NIHR, MRC, BBSRC, UKRI, NHS
Notable line
“… successful. They have leveraged £5.30 of external investment from every £1 invested …”
Key Quotes
“Collaboration is central to how we will deliver the ambition and vision set out in the 10 ‑ Year Health Plan for England, the Life Sciences Sector Plan, and devolved nation equivalents.”
“NIHR's 2024/2025 Annual Report shows that 17,953 projects supported by NIHR infrastructure and research units in 2024/25”
“… research inclusion is now a mandatory condition of funding. Building the evidence base on multiple long-term conditions (which may include frailty) is a strategic …”
“NIHR will also launch the NIHR Innovation Catalyst to support further pull through of high priority innovations from the rich UKRI portfolio and other routes that meet the demands of the health and care system.”
“MRC has used this opportunity to explore how to reform funding processes to allow researchers to address the most important research questions of today tomorrow, supporting research that spans disciplines.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗