BIVDA, the UK’s leading association for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) technology and innovation, welcomes the £200 million in funding announced by BEIS and DHSC to support critical health research into diagnostics and treatment through enhanced data access and digital clinical trial services. Following on from the Medicines and Diagnostics Manufacturing Transformation Fund, a new £60 million Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSIMF) will help to broaden the commercial-scale manufacturing base of companies at the “leading-edge of innovation”, whose endeavours lead to improved diagnostic and medical device technologies.

The IVD sector plays an important role in the restart of normal NHS operations, and ambitions to make the UK a global science superpower. However, in order to realise the sector’s full potential in terms of exports and protecting public health, funding for manufacturing must be innovation and automation-oriented.

BIVDA CEO Doris-Ann Williams MBE said:

“Building a diagnostics sector of critical mass requires supportive policy-making and funding allocation. We welcome today’s innovation research investment and the LSIMF from the Government as steps towards boosting the UK’s crucial diagnostic output”.  

For further information, please contact pressoffice@bivda.org.uk