The Biomedical Catalyst was launched in 2012 as part of a wider package of measures to support the life sciences sector under the Government’s Industrial Strategy.

The programme made £240m of funding available to:

deliver growth to the UK life sciences sector
deliver innovative life sciences products and services more quickly and more effectively into healthcare
provide support to academically and commercially led R&D in a seamless, effective and efficient manner

The Medical Research Council and Innovate UK delivered the scheme in partnership, providing funding to translational research and industrial R&D projects at varying stages of technical and commercial development.

In November 2014 Ipsos MORI was commissioned to undertake an impact and process evaluation of the Biomedical Catalyst.

An interim study exploring both the effectiveness of processes employed to administer the programme and early signs of impact reported in January 2016.

This second and final report from the evaluation focuses on the longer-term impact of the programme in stimulating R&D investment and accelerating the development of biomedical technologies led by industry and academia.

Key conclusions include:

impact against objectives – successful programme in stimulating investment in the life science sectors and accelerating the development of healthcare technologies
leverage – efficient instrument for leveraging substantial additional resources into translational research and industrial R&D
value for money – offered strong value for money

Published 16 October 2019

Biomedical Catalyst impact evaluation

This publication was withdrawn on 31 January 2022

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