Linking academia and industry

Linking academia and industry is a key objective that cuts across the Academy's activities and builds on our: independence; focus on research excellence across the spectrum of clinical and basic disciplines; and commitment to interdisciplinary working.

Addressing new health, scientific and economic challenges involves drawing on strengths from across sectors and requires organisations to collaborate to share expertise, skills and resources. Strong links between academia and industry are a key part of a vibrant 'innovation ecosystem'. In recent years the Academy has undertaken a range of activites to faciliate cross-sector engagement and foster a research environment that attracts and retains life sciences companies to the UK, including:

• Demonstrating the health and socio-economic benefits that are derived from medical research.
• Promoting the value of industry as a place for employment, secondment or collaboration.
• Raising awareness of new technologies and developments.
• Working to streamline regulation and governance.
• Providing a platform for discussion amongst industry and regulators.

In bringing together researchers, research funders and research users, the Academy provides a forum for taking forward national discussions on scientific opportunities, technology trends and the associated strategic choices for healthcare and other life-science sectors.

For further information about the Academy's work on linking academia and industry, please email robert.frost@acmedsci.ac.uk.