UK Announces Major Science Co-operation Agreement with Switzerland
The UK and Swiss Governments have signed a major co-operation agreement that will deepen the relations between their countries' research and innovation communities.
The memorandum encourages focus on co-operation around 'deep science' and 'deep tech', including life science, AI, energy technology and space, as well as commercialisation through innovation, and policy and diplomacy in science and innovation.
The memorandum also outlines the principles of the relationship, and specific forms of co-operation, including:
- co-ordinated or joint initiatives, programmes or projects
- meetings, workshops, conferences or symposia
- exchange of information and documentation
- mobility, visits and delegations
- strategy and coordination meetings
- plans for the Ministers to have a regular annual Anglo Swiss Research Collaboration Council to oversee their activities
Progress for the UK Science Community in a Post-Brexit World
The UK Government has talked about opportunities to enter into agreements as a forward-looking independent state in a post-Brexit world. This is an encouraging sign of this, with another leading science power in Switzerland.
At the 2021 PING Conference, which was held in collaboration with IQVIA, entitled 'UK Life Sciences Opportunities in a Changed World', we heard from Andrew Howard, Deputy Director for Trade, Regulation and Analysis at The Office for Life Sciences, who talked about the UK's priorities in trade deals, as well as the challenges and opportunities for Britain. He mentioned how "the last few years have been a time of great change, but there are many opportunities for Global Britain in life sciences. The UK has a pioneering regulator, leading academia, a single healthcare system and a strong biopharma sector, as well as a coherent vision for the sector that supports exciting new specialist areas. Having built on existing global relationships, we're now fully focused on nurturing new ones."
It is great to see this in action.
We will be exploring challenges for UK life sciences in a post-Brexit and post-pandemic world at the 2023 PING Conference.