£400 million VPAG investment programme launched to boost UK’s clinical trials

The UK government has announced the launch of a new joint public-private investment programme aimed at accelerating patient access to cutting-edge treatments,
enhancing clinical trials, and bolstering the country’s medicines manufacturing capabilities.

Supported by up to £400 million of investment, the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicine Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG) Investment Programme is set to inject
significant resources into the UK’s health and life sciences sector over the next five years.

Believed to be the world’s first major public-private collaboration of this scale globally, the VPAG Investment Programme is designed to boost economic growth and
the global competitiveness of the UK’s life sciences sector.

It aims to strengthen the NHS by supporting innovative research and creating 18 new clinical trial hubs to fast-track the development of new medicines for patients.

The programme will also streamline processes to ensure the rapid transition of new treatments from labs to wards, providing patients with faster access to
cutting-edge treatments.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting hailed this private investment as “a significant vote of confidence in the UK” highlighting that it will
fast-track the next generation of treatments to NHS patients.