A study commissioned by three of the UK’s leading scientific institutions has demonstrated substantial financial and social benefits from investment in medical research.

Cancer Research UK (CRUK) launched a five-year plan which will see the charity spend around GBP 300 million a year on core areas of science in a bid to reduce cancer deaths, including greater investment in cancers where survival rates are poor.

The UK has brought in new rules it says will make it easier to get permissions to carry out clinical trials of medical devices, such as hip and knee replacements, pacemakers and stents.

The European Commission announces an overall community strategy to coordinate research, diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases.