**Funding announced for joint projects and clinical trials in update to “landmark” bilateral agreement**
Switzerland and the UK have agreed to update a “landmark” science and research agreement, announcing £16 million for joint projects and clinical trials.
On 9 December, Innovate UK and the Swiss innovation authority Innosuisse awarded £8m of joint funding to 11 UK-Swiss research projects, covering topics including knee and hip replacements and the use of quantum tech in anti-counterfeiting.
Another £8m will be awarded through a call for UK-Swiss clinical trials working on treatments and diagnoses for a range of diseases, the partners said. The clinical trials will be overseen by the research delivery arm of the Department of Health and Social Care, together with the National Institute for Health and Care Research and the Swiss National Science Foundation.
Lucy Chappell, chief scientific adviser at the DHSC and chief executive of the NIHR, said: “This approach of bilateral collaboration accelerates research progress, with the aim of getting effective treatments to patients faster.”
Building on a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on research and innovation two years ago, the UK and Switzerland will deepen ties in quantum and life sciences as well as clinical trials. They have also agreed to greater collaboration on space and artificial intelligence.
UK health minister Gillian Merron said: “This partnership marks a significant milestone in our mission to transform the UK into a life sciences superpower.”
**Bringing big thinkers together**
The £8m for joint projects takes the total amount awarded so far under the partnership to around £23m for 39 projects.
UK science minister Patrick Vallance said: “Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs happen simply by bringing big thinkers and innovators together. To unleash science as a force for good in the world, it is critical that we build deeper and broader ties with research powerhouses like Switzerland.”
Swiss federal councillor Guy Parmelin, head of the country’s research department, added: “I am delighted that the outstanding cooperation between Switzerland and the UK will be further strengthened in the coming years.”