APPG on Human Relevant Science argues UK research funding system holding back medicine development

The All Party Parliamentary Group for Human Relevant Science has published a report into the UK funding system for medicine discovery and development.

The report, entitled ‘Bringing back the human: transitioning from animal research to human relevant science in the UK’ is based on a year long inquiry and meetings with expert scientists and regulators.

Amongst its conclusions, the APPG report  highlights the need for a central role for human relevant science in the UK’s post-Covid research and innovation strategy.

Currently, 92% of drugs are said to fail in human trials even though they passed pre-clinical tests, including animal tests.

The report recommends the creation of a dedicated ministerial-level post to ‘lead an ambitious and detailed programme of work’ cutting across Government to drive the UK’s transition to human relevant science

The group is urging the Government to increase the funding of human relevant approaches by strategically diverting resources away from traditional animal-based approaches which have a high failure rate and directing funding to transformative human relevant technologies. It is claimed that ‘funding for human relevant technologies represents just 0.02% of the total public expenditure on research and development.’

Commenting on the report, the APPG’s Chair, Grahame Morris MP, said: “Human relevant research has the potential to enhance the productivity of industry, improve public health, and cement both the UK’s status as a global science superpower and its reputation for leadership in animal protection. Given the Government’s renewed focus on stimulating the life sciences industry, it could not be timelier.”