UK government position paper on science and innovation viewed by law firm

Responding to the publication of the UK government position paper on science and innovation post-Brexit - Life Sciences Industrial Strategy, Elisabethann Wright, a partner at law firm Hogan Lovells, said: “Much of the focus in the paper is on current relationships between researchers in the UK and other EU member states which will hopefully continue after Brexit. However, the paper also discusses possible future bilateral relationships.

She continued: “The importance of Horizon 2020 is acknowledged, with an undertaking that the UK government will continue to underwrite related bids while the UK is a member of the EU. It is, however, unclear what role UK participants will have in programs such as Horizon 2020 after Brexit. Given the important role that UK participants currently play in Horizon 2020 research and development projects a future reduction in their participation would be a great loss. This may, however, be addressed to at least some extent by conclusion of the bilateral and multilateral research relationships mentioned in the paper.

“There was less detail concerning the future relationship between the UK and the EMA [European Medicines Agency] than we would have hoped. Although the paper discusses current areas of cooperation between the EMA and regulatory bodies around the world, such as inspections, as areas of inspiration for future relationships between the UK and the EU, the on-going validity of the central marketing authorizations held by UK entities, which is arguably one of the most important concerns for continued patient access to medicinal products, is not addressed.”