Report

Late-stage R&D: business perspectives

To fulfil its science superpower, innovation, growth and green industrial revolution ambitions, the UK government must make the UK a more attractive environment for businesses to invest and conduct late-stage R&D in.

Understanding the activities that underpin latestage R&D and the motivations, incentives, resources and barriers, including policy levers at government’s disposal, will help identify what actions can be taken to ensure more late-stage R&D takes place in the UK.

This report uses real-world examples to illustrate how different businesses conduct late-stage R&D, the range
of activities and the resources they draw upon.

From interviews with engineering businesses, five key common resources essential for conducting and managing the risks associated with late-stage R&D were identified. Government can influence each of these
resources to encourage business investment in latestage R&D.