Welsh Secretary has met key figures from the life sciences sector in
the latest in series of round table meetings to drive economic
growth.
Wales's Life Sciences industry is crucial to delivering sustained
economic growth, Welsh Secretary has told leaders from the industry.
The growing sector already contributes more than £2.6 billion to
the Welsh economy each year and supports more than 12,000 jobs
across more than 250 companies, according to Life Sciences Hub
Wales.
Life Sciences encompasses a wide range of businesses which
develop everything from healthcare products, such as
pharmaceuticals or medical devices, to companies that use living
organisms to solve challenges like making crops more resistant to
climate change.
The Welsh Secretary's discussion with key decision-makers from
several trail-blazing organisations took place on Thursday 16
January at Life Sciences Hub Wales in Cardiff and is the latest
in a series of roundtable meetings chaired by as part of her drive to deliver economic growth for
Wales. Ms Stevens has already met leaders from the Digital and
Tech industry, the Creative sector, and the Advanced
Manufacturing sector in Wales.
At the end of 2024 the Welsh Secretary launched the Welsh
Economic Growth Advisory Group to help shape UK Government
efforts to boost growth and put more money in people's pockets.
The group is tasked with informing the UK Government's new
Industrial Strategy to boost key Welsh industries and shape Welsh
priorities for the next Spending Review, both expected during
Spring 2025.
As well as understanding the importance of the Life Sciences
sector to the Welsh economy the Welsh Secretary also learned
about some of the cutting-edge work taking place in fields
including cancer treatment and genomics.
She visited TrakCel in Cardiff to learn how they use software to
facilitate the complex cell and gene therapy supply chains for
the life changing treatment of diseases such as cancer and sickle
cell.
At Cardiff Edge, a Life Science and Innovation cluster in
Coryton, Ms Stevens saw world-class clinical and research
laboratories at the Wales Genomic Health Centre. She heard from
some of Wales's leading experts in genomics about how their work
is increasing options for patients and improving their care.
Welsh Secretary said:
“My clear focus is on delivering the UK Government's Plan for
Change which will kickstart the economy and put more money in
people's pockets in Wales.
“We have a growing and thriving Life Sciences sector in Wales,
delivering a huge boost to our economy as well as contributing
research and technologies with the potential to change people's
lives.
“I am committed to ensuring that we do all we can to support our
ground-breaking companies to continue to grow, create well-paid
work and deliver results that make a real difference.”
Cari-Anne Quinn, Chief Executive of Life Sciences Hub Wales said:
“Wales' Life Sciences sector is driving innovation, supporting a
skilled workforce, and fostering strong collaborations that boost
economic growth.
“Boasting world-class facilities and a supportive environment for
innovation, Wales is the ideal place for global innovators to
thrive.
“Through advanced research and technologies like AI diagnostics,
businesses in Wales are creating high-quality jobs, improving
healthcare outcomes and helping to transform lives while
strengthening our economy.”
David Fluck, Executive Medical, Life Science and Precision
Medicine Director at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
said:
“We would like to thank the Secretary of State for her visit to
the Canolfan Iechyd Genomig Cymru today.
“As part of a wider cluster of life science organisations based
at Cardiff Edge, the work which takes place at this facility
plays a crucial role in Wales strengthening their position in the
field of precision medicine.
“Genomics presents groundbreaking opportunities for the health
care industry, and we look forward to continuing our work
alongside our partners to improve patient care and the wellbeing
of the wider population.”
