The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Life Sciences has launched to raise awareness and understanding of the valuable contribution the life sciences sector provides to the health and the wealth of the U.K.

Kit Malthouse, MP, chair of the APPG, said, “Life sciences is the quintessential, high-tech, innovative sector that we should prioritize for the 21st-century economy. In addition to its economic impact, at its heart are innovations and therapies that benefit patients and the public.”

Life Sciences U.K. (LSUK) is made up of four trade associations for the life sciences sector in the U.K.: Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI), Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), the BioIndustry Association (BIA) and the British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA).

“Collaborative working between industry and government is essential to create a national healthcare system that truly delivers not only the best possible outcomes for patients, but provides a fertile environment for U.K. businesses to advance medical technologies,” said Peter Ellingworth, CEO, ABHI.

Doris-Ann Williams, CEO, BIVDA, said, “For the U.K. to truly become a global leader in the life sciences, then effective engagement between policy makers and life sciences industry is essential. The APPG is a vital step towards this highly achievable goal.”

APPGs are informal cross-party groups that have no official status within Parliament. They are run by and for Members of the Commons and Lords, though many involve individuals and organizations from outside Parliament in their administration and activities.