The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has welcomed the proposal for a 'patent box' outlined by Chancellor Alastair Darling in his Pre-Budget Report.

The patent box is being introduced to encourage research and development within the UK from the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

In his speech, Mr Darling said he would bring in a ten per cent corporation tax rate on income which stems from patents in the UK.

Dr Richard Barker, Director-General of the ABPI, said: "The ABPI commends Government for taking a step that will bring advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing investment back to Britain.

"It is one of the most important outcomes of the work we have been doing with Government through the Office for Life Sciences, and we look forward to working with Government to finalise the design to maximise its impact on companies' investment decisions."

The move was one of the measures outlined in the Office for Life Sciences "Life Sciences Blueprint", published in July. It has also been welcomed by BioIndustry Association.

Source
Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry