The UK can build on the strong foundations it has already laid to attract the best talent and drive the next generation of scientific discovery, says Rafael Carazo Salas, CEO and founder of CellVoyant.
This year we have witnessed a brain drain out of the US – with 75% of US researchers considering leaving the country – and Europe is one of the top choices for relocation.
Scientists in the United States are grappling with severe funding cuts, large layoffs in federal agencies and regulatory uncertainty. All of this puts the country at risk of losing its position as a global leader in scientific innovation – and its talent.
At the same time, this challenge for the US provides a unique, once-in-a-generation opportunity for Europe, and in particular the UK, to attract more of the best scientific minds to the country.
But what is needed to position the UK as a go-to destination for the world’s top scientific talent?
Sustained funding
The UK government has made clear its intention to establish the UK as a world leader in science, with significant funding announcements. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) recently launched a record £13.9 billion to boost R&D jobs, innovation and growth and The Royal Society announced £30 million to attract global talent over the next couple years.
Funding is crucial, but what is more important is providing investment that lasts for the long term and is sustained by multiple governments. It is an encouraging sign that DSIT’s has set R&D funding budgets for 10 years, providing the much-needed certainty researchers need.
This is particularly welcome for areas of science, such as the development of cell therapies, which is complex and often time intensive.
We must also make better use of the funding already in place, such as Horizon Europe which has allocated €93.5 billion over seven years to support research and innovation. Since rejoining the programme following a three year Brexit hiatus, British scientists have been awarded nearly £500 million in grants.
We need to see access to these initiatives supported and expanded, with funding delivered for not only scientific projects, but also to support scientists career goals with fellowships and long-term roles.
Putting people first
Though it’s easy to think that money is the main driver of scientific breakthroughs, and it is of course a factor, it is people and talent who are the most important resource.
If the UK is to entice scientists leaving the US, the visa system must be designed to make relocation a realistic option.
The new government immigration whitepaper has raised some concern in the scientific community as the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies has been reduced and the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker visa has increased. While this may not impact those in senior scientific roles it may limit opportunities for emerging scientists.
It may also make it more difficult for universities to recruit US talent, which is a key concern as universities are the driving force behind much of the world’s cutting-edge research and a hub of talent and new idea generation.
However, UK universities face their own challenges, with data from the Office for Students revealing that 72% of higher education institutions will be in financial deficit by 2025-26.
Without a streamlined visa process and urgent support for universities, we risk missing out on the next generation of scientific leaders and breakthroughs. We must prioritise making clear the UK is open for these highly skilled scientists, and double down on education and universities, the most valuable investment in securing future generations. They are the only guarantee we will continue to be leaders and developers, and not just followers.
Regulatory certainty
Turmoil at the FDA may significantly impact the regulatory approval process, as the agency tackles substantial staffing cuts and policy changes. In fact, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), shared concerns that the loss of Dr Peter Marks from the FDA in particular will impact the development of transformative therapies.
At the same time, over 200 biotech leaders in the US penned a letter to government urging for the FDA to be preserved and to maintain regulatory timelines, highlighting the critical impact of missing milestones in drug development.
Although the implications are not fully clear, it is likely the FDA may either reduce the number of medicines it approves or change its regulatory approval process.
We are already seeing warning signs of this growing concern, with some biotech companies considering moving early-stage trials of new medicines outside of the US.
The UK has taken some encouraging steps to ensure regulation meets the pace of innovation.
Earlier this year the Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP) was launched to offer a more streamlined approach for developers to get new medicines to the NHS in the shortest time possible. This integrated approach allows for collaboration from the early stages of clinical development and is the first of its kind globally.
The funding of seven new Centres of Excellence for Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSIs), also aim to simplify how treatments move from discovery to the patient, helping researchers to address current regulatory challenges.
These initiatives send a powerful message that the UK is serious about cutting red tape to accelerate patient access to new treatments, offering yet another compelling reason for US scientists to bring their research across the Atlantic.
What’s clear is that the UK must act urgently to build on the strong foundations it has already laid in driving scientific breakthroughs, and critically provide the stability and support for the next era of scientific discovery.
