Science saved my life now I’m giving back, says CHLOE SMITH

It’s called ‘life’ sciences for a reason. Science saved my life. Three years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was lucky to make a full recovery, thanks to the care of our NHS.

But the success of months of chemotherapy owes itself to something else, too; the power of innovation.

That’s why, when I got the call shortly after some special family time in the Easter school holidays, asking if I would provide maternity cover as the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, I jumped at the chance.

Since that diagnosis, I’ve wanted to give something back.  Public service in this brand new department is a powerful chance to help others.

I am one of millions of people in Britain who will be diagnosed with cancer. It’s part of my mission to make sure that millions more can recover.

I was immensely proud last week to announce £650m in government support for our life sciences sector – one of the most innovative in the world.

Since 2021, British life sciences businesses have attracted well over £1bn of private investment. And over the last decade, we’ve seen an 80 per cent increase in patent applications; Europe’s highest.

Our universities and research parks are home to some of the world’s best scientists. But they are home to innovative entrepreneurs, too; people who are ready to spin that science out of the lab, onto the market, and into our lives.

If those scientists and entrepreneurs are to succeed, then we’ve got to do more to back our life sciences sector, and ensure it can stay right at the cutting-edge in decades to come.

Last week’s announcement shows that this government is doing exactly that.

We are delivering well-paid, high-skilled jobs for people in every corner of the country, with funding for life sciences manufacturing that will boost businesses from North Wales to Northumberland.

We’re not just growing the economy today. We are protecting ourselves from tomorrow’s pandemics.

The £38m we’re investing in the biomanufacturing capital fund will incentivise investment in a stronger supply chain for the vaccines we need, with every £1 we put generating up to £10 of private investment.

Our investment will matter most to the people who need science most; the patients in need of treatment, and the doctors and nurses treating them.

That’s why we are providing £121m to support clinical trials, speeding up the time it takes for life-saving drugs to get into our hospitals.

It’s why we’re investing £150m in the UK Biobank, one of the world’s leading population and genetic health studies.

This investment will improve research into in the all-too-common diseases which take lives daily.

On Thursday, I headed over Westminster Bridge to visit Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital.

There, Oxford Nanopore – one of our brilliant British scale-up success stories – is using its unique DNA sequencing technology to detect hidden infections and transform treatment. It reminded me of some of the lows of my own treatment.

But technology like Oxford Nanopore’s shows us the highs.

Life sciences at work in our NHS lights the way to what we can achieve with innovation; the many jobs we can create; and the many lives we can save.