Novartis to meet with UK government on life science support

Novartis will be speaking with key government ministers to discuss the need for the UK to become a more competitive destination for medical research.

The pharmaceutical company is meeting with scientists, NHS trustees and government officials such as science minister David Willetts to call for greater investments in innovation within the UK.

Jon Symonds, global finance director of Novartis, told the Daily Telegraph that it can often be extremely slow to organise trials and launch products in Britain, making it difficult for drugmakers to make a profit.

As such, Novartis and other firms have increasingly turned to nations such as Shanghai, Russia and Brazil, but this is a trend that could be reversed by introducing more appropriate incentives in the UK.

Mr Symonds said: "The government needs to deliver on its initiatives and ideas and make them a reality. Then we can see a virtuous circle – more innovation, investment and research."

The firm is making extensive investments in research and development at present – including plans for a new biotechnology facility in Singapore – as it seeks to reorient its product portfolio following a number of patent expiries.