Investment in In-Silico Regulatory Science could boost UK growth and patient health
Office of Health Economics's report highlights the potential health, economic and industry benefits of investing in the UK Centre of Excellence for In-Silico Regulatory Science and Innovation, provided adequate funding is secured.
A report published by the Office of Health Economics (OHE) on 21 October 2026 estimates that a fully funded UK Centre of Excellence for In-Silico Regulatory Science and Innovation (UK CEiRSI) could contribute £21.9 billion to the UK economy over its initial five-year implementation period. The analysis also projects £1.2 billion in NHS savings, £2.4 billion in population health gains and £325 million in industry savings, alongside potential reductions in animal testing.
UK CEiRSI aims to accelerate the adoption of in-silico technologies, including computer modelling and AI-driven simulations, in the development and regulation of medicines and medical devices. According to the report, wider adoption could support more efficient research and development, improve patient access to innovative treatments and help generate evidence for populations often under-represented in clinical trials. The analysis estimates that these approaches could deliver 37,282 additional quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) within five years.
The report identifies regulatory acceptance, skills gaps, legal and data-access challenges, and limited awareness as barriers to wider adoption. It highlights UK CEiRSI’s potential role in addressing these challenges through scientific collaboration and the development of regulatory approaches that support the use of computational evidence. The projected benefits are estimates based on the report’s modelling and depend on adequate funding and successful implementation.
The full report is available from the Office of Health Economics.
