In a bid to strengthen economic growth and accelerate medical breakthroughs, UK Science Minister Lord Patrick Vallance has called for a deeper and more strategic partnership between the United Kingdom and the United States in the field of health technology and life sciences.
Addressing global leaders at the BIO 2025 conference in Boston, Massachusetts, Vallance laid out a compelling vision for collaboration between two of the world’s most innovative nations. He stressed that fusing the UK’s strengths namely, its robust health data infrastructure and leading academic institutions with the United States’ prowess in technological development could catalyse the discovery of new treatments, foster transatlantic business growth, and create thousands of high-skilled jobs.
A Shared Mission for Economic and Public Health Gains
Vallance underscored that life sciences are more than a scientific endeavour—they are central to the UK’s economic agenda. “Science is always stronger when we work with others,” he said, pointing to the historic cooperation between the two countries in areas such as space exploration and defence. “Working together with the UK’s greatest ally, the United States, is one of the prime examples of this.”
He emphasised that the current moment offers a unique opportunity to bring together each nation’s strengths in order to confront one of humanity’s most pressing challenges: health. “New technologies are offering the hope of treatments and cures for diseases long thought incurable,” he said. “And [these technologies] are the foundations upon which new businesses, jobs, and even entire industries are built.”
Vallance urged stakeholders in attendance, including investors, researchers, and business leaders, to embrace this shared potential and actively build stronger collaborative frameworks between the UK and US health innovation ecosystems.
Health Tech as a Cornerstone of the UK Economy
The Science Minister’s remarks come on the heels of major UK government investments in life sciences. In its recent Spending Review, the Treasury committed a record level of funding to research and development, signalling a clear national priority. Additionally, £520 million has been earmarked specifically to support life sciences manufacturing, further underlining the sector’s role as both a public health imperative and an economic driver.
By pairing government support with international cooperation, Vallance believes the UK can enhance its position as a global leader in health innovation. “Let’s seize this moment together,” he said. “So both our countries can be healthier and more prosperous.”
The Promise of Partnership
The UK’s national strengths in the health sciences are already well established. With access to vast troves of anonymized patient data via the National Health Service (NHS) and a network of world-class universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College London, the nation is uniquely positioned to contribute to the next generation of medical innovation.
Meanwhile, the United States offers unparalleled expertise in commercialisation, venture capital, and rapid technological development. Bridging these strengths through targeted partnerships could accelerate timelines for drug discovery, expand the global reach of health tech startups, and democratise access to advanced healthcare solutions.
By framing the relationship as mutually beneficial economically, scientifically, and socially, Vallance appealed to a broad spectrum of stakeholders to act swiftly and boldly. The underlying message was clear: shared innovation across borders is not just preferable; it’s essential.
A Vision for Healthier Futures
As the conference closed with a renewed sense of purpose, Vallance’s message resonated with many in the audience. In an era defined by global health challenges, from pandemics to chronic disease, collaboration between nations may well be the decisive factor in shaping a healthier, more resilient world.
Through expanded UK-US cooperation, the Science Minister envisions not only more groundbreaking cures but also a transatlantic economic boom grounded in science, innovation, and shared values.
