The Office for Life Sciences (OLS) was created by the Prime Minister on 27th January 2009 and is led by Lord Drayson, Minister for Science and Innovation.
The OLS is an early example of the Government’s active approach to industrial policy and a new model of joint working, bringing together Government departments (Business, Innovation and Skills, Health, UKTI and the Treasury) and industry – as well as the NHS and academia.
By holding regular meetings with Lord Drayson, industry were able to rapidly articulate and prioritise their issues, consider the evidence and develop solutions across four key areas:
- Strengthening the NHS as an innovation champion
- Building a more integrated life sciences industry
- Ensuring access to finance and stimulating investment
- Marketing the UK life sciences industry overseas
These issues and solutions were set out in the Life Sciences Blueprint published in July 2009. Since then, the pace and momentum which characterised the first six months of OLS’ work has continued, with significant progress made in delivering the Blueprint actions.
