MRC publishes Economic Impact Report 2010/11
4 January 2012
The Medical Research Council (MRC) has published its annual Economic Impact Report containing information on selected aspects of the MRC performance relevant to the Government's objectives for the UK science base. The report highlights the MRC’s contributions to the development of new medicines and technologies, improvements to clinical policies and practices, and how MRC research encourages inward investment to the UK. The report outlines the progress, productivity and quality of MRC-supported science, and shows comparable data for 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11 where possible.
Scientific highlights from this year’s report include the development by MRC scientists of a test for bowel cancer, Flexiscope, which cuts the risk of developing bowel cancer by a third. It is estimated that this quick method, which has been adopted by the UK National Screening Programme to be rolled-out over four years, will save around 3,000 lives a year.
Two new treatments, Humira® and Cimzia®, have also come to the fore in recent years as significant drug developments resulting from MRC research. Humira® is used to alleviate inflammation in autoimmune disease and is recommended by NICE for treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, moderate to severe chronic psoriasis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Since 2009 Humira® has been used in 80 countries in the treatment of 370,000 patients and is now estimated to be the world’s top earning pharmaceutical product. Cimzia® is a humanised monoclonal antibody, recommended by NICE for the treatment of adults with severe active rheumatoid arthritis.
The seven UK Research Councils, including MRC, have published Economic Impact Reports since 2005 as part of the performance management framework implemented by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). In addition, Research Councils UK (RCUK) has a complementary report detailing the various activities through which the Research Councils are working together to achieve greater impact.
Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts said:
“These reports demonstrate that the UK is a world leader in science and research. From the development of groundbreaking new treatments to studies that shape public policy and improve lives, the significant economic and societal impact of the UK research base is extremely impressive.”
The Medical Research Council Economic Impact Report 2010/11 can be accessed here
