Nutrition industry tentatively welcomes UK R&D push

02 Jul 2020 --- The UK government’s £300 million (US$375 million) investment to upgrade scientific infrastructure as part of its new R&D Roadmap has drawn criticism for not explicitly mentioning whether nutritional research is within its scope. This plan sets out a vision to attract global talent, cut “unnecessary bureaucracy” and cement the UK industry’s scientific capacities, according to the government. NutritionInsight speaks with UK-based companies active in the nutrition space, who weigh in on the new proposal, while flagging the need for further details about how their businesses may be affected.

“It is welcome news to hear the government announcing increased investment in R&D and scientific and technological development, but I cannot see nutrition specifically mentioned anywhere in the published government document. It is, therefore, not possible to understand at present what kind of impact this may have on our research or on the nutritional industry,” argues Dr. Ana Valdes, a professor at the University of Nottingham and collaborator on ZOE, which recently launched a personalized nutrition test kit.

The Roadmap launch follows the government committing to increase R&D investment to £22 billion (US$28 billion) a year by 2024/25. The government is establishing an Office for Talent to make it easier for top global science, research and innovation talent to come to the UK. It is also backing entrepreneurs and start-ups with the funding needed to scale up their innovations, as well as ensuring the UK is making the most of its first-class industries and technologies.

Joel Freeman, Co-Founder of wellness start-up Heights, also notes that the R&D Roadmap details are not that clear on how it will affect the company specifically. “However, as an organization that invests significantly in research and wanting to hire the best global talent, support from the government on both fronts would be very welcome.”

This sentiment is also reflected by Diana Morris, Country Manager at European Freeze Dry, which is based in Preston, England. She says that while the new funding for scientific progress may be beneficial, it remains to be seen how much effect the Roadmap will actually have on how the company meets nutritional needs for the future.

“However, commitments to leveling up the north of England as a research hub, providing more access to public funds and encouraging more jobs for researchers and scientists in the growing nutrition field can only be good news for the industry as a whole. Like many nutrition-based companies, we are already investing heavily in our R&D teams to explore new processes, techniques and applications for freeze-drying technology in nutrition, nutraceuticals, prebiotics and probiotics,” she notes. 

Notably, the Roadmap also aims to maintain a close relationship with European partners by seeking to agree on a fair and balanced deal for participation in EU R&D schemes. If the UK does not associate with programs such as the EU’s research program, Horizon Europe, the government will commit to meeting any funding shortfalls and putting in place alternative schemes to support vital UK research.

The UK government will now will now engage with a range of stakeholders.COVID-19 focalizes importance of health R&D
The roadmap details that in light of the COVID-19 crisis, the importance of being able to find ingenious, practical and timely solutions to the most challenging problems is even clearer. Research and development will be critical to economic and social recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. In May, NutritionInsight spoke with industry players about how the pandemic has been affecting their own R&D.

The race to find a vaccine has entered the nutrition sphere with The Lallemand Group partnering with Canadian companies Biotechnologies Ulysse and Bio-K Plus to develop a vaccine that could contain live bacteria. Meanwhile, DSM, ADM and Biosearch Life have each launched their own clinical trials into the effects of their probiotics on COVID-19. 

“Coronavirus has shown us the agility, creativity and innovative thinking of our world-leading institutions, scientists and researchers to tackle this disease and save people’s lives. We want to harness this expertise to rejuvenate science and research across the UK, building a future that is greener, safer and healthier,” says Science Minister Amanda Solloway. 

“UK research identified the first drug to improve survival for COVID-19: a cheap and widely available steroid. Now, our ability to develop new treatments, test vaccines and understand the wider impacts of the pandemic will all rely on research. Investing in medical research will improve society beyond COVID-19 by addressing health inequalities, helping patients and creating highly skilled jobs across the country. Every pound invested today in medical research pays back 25 pence to the UK economy every year, forever,” says Prof Sir Robert Lechler, President of The Academy of Medical Sciences. 

Engaging a range of stakeholders
The government flags that the Roadmap is just the start of a conversation. It will now engage with a range of stakeholders, including universities, charities, research funders, scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, the public and a range of other organizations and associations. 

“The life sciences sector invests more than any other in UK research. That’s why it is critical that these plans are delivered in partnership with our companies if we are to reach the ambitious target of spending 2.4 percent of GDP on R&D,” says Dr. Richard Torbett, Chief Executive of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. 

However, for this to come to fruition, there needs to be a concerted government effort to change its rhetoric to be more welcoming, to fully embrace the future and think less about the past, warns Sir Paul Nurse, Director of The Francis Crick Institute. 

By Katherine Durrell