Following the launch of UK-US Science and Technology Agreement in September 2017 – aimed at strengthening research collaboration between the UK and the US – UK Science Minister Sam Gyimah has visited the US and announced further progress with research partnerships in medical technology.The Minister confirmed that UK experts from the Life Sciences sector will visit Texas in November 2018 on a “fact-finding” mission, to investigate opportunities for innovation and to explore access to US markets for UK innovators.17% of investment in UK research and development is financed from abroad. In view of this, and given the UK’s imminent departure from the EU, the UK Government is committed to keeping the UK connected to scientific advances being made around the world.The recently agreed landmark ‘BioBridge’ collaboration between The Texas Medical Centre (TMC) and the UK Department for International Trade (DIT) is one example of such commitment.As part of this BioBridge collaboration, UK Life Sciences businesses will be able to be located at the TMC, where they will have access to advisors, investors and medical experts from both the TMC and DIT, enabling innovative individual projects and joint research in areas such as genomics and oncology.Three UK companies have already made use of the BioBridge collaboration and healthcare trusts in Oxford, Cambridge and Manchester are also in discussions with TMC institutions regarding the formulation of partnerships.Innovation within the Life Sciences sector is continually evolving however, as it is such a fiercely competitive industry, companies need to move fast to take products from promising ideas to market.The Life Sciences team at Mathys & Squire comprises Patent attorneys experienced in working with a diverse range of clients; from university technology transfer organisations to international corporations. With degrees in subjects ranging from natural sciences and biochemistry to neuroscience, biotechnology and microbial technology – the team is recognised as having some of the leading practitioners in their field. To learn more about our Life Sciences practice, please click here.To download a brief background about the practice, please click here. To discuss protecting and commercialising your intellectual property and innovation, please email Managing Associate, Bethany Gibbs, via [email protected].