So the Life Sciences Sector Plan has now been published on 16 July by the UK Government - just in time for everyone to enjoy some summer holiday reading.  Life sciences is one of the eight chosen specialist sectors that the Government sees as key to fuelling the UK's growth in the next 10 years, as highlighted in the recent Industrial Strategy.  

So what's in it?  Well, there's quite a bit.  78 pages' worth.  But is it going to be enough to shift the dial in industry sentiment for an industry that is still working out its place in the world post-Brexit?  There's so much that makes the UK life sciences industry a special place to be, but there's a feeling that we have slipped backwards in recent years.  The Government's bold ambition is to make the UK the leading life sciences economy in Europe by 2030, and the third most important in the world by 2035, after the US and China.  Can it achieve that? Well, we'll have to wait and see!  

I will be digesting and sharing with you some further thoughts in the coming weeks.  It may also feature heavily in the 2026 PING Conference on the UK's pharma place in the world, 10 years on from the Brexit vote.  

But what are the industry's initial reactions?  Well, rather mixed.

A key concern from industry has been the VPAG pricing reimbursement scheme in the UK, which industry perceives really puts the UK at a competitive disadvantage.  The Government has brought forward a VPAG review to try to bring pharma back on side, but this has not been resolved yet.  The ABPI says that intensive discussions are in their final stages. 

Meanwhile, GSK, BioNTech and Moderna have expressed support for the plan.  Notably, though, nothing yet from AstraZeneca, which has recently been associated with possibly moving its stock market listing to the US. 

GSK said it is  "critical that the UK also takes action with this new plan to recognise the value of innovative new medicines and vaccines for patients."

So let's see - what other reaction there is and what happens next.  

I'd be interested to hear any thoughts you have on the Plan?  Do contact me on pgershlick@vwv.co.uk