Key Summary
- Dr Melanie Ivarsson takes charge of major new health data body.
- The goal is to turn NHS future ready.
- Strong focus on privacy, safety and patient benefit.
Noted healthcare innovator Dr Melanie Ivarsson has been appointed as the CEO of the government’s new health data research body, the Health Data Research Service (HDRS), which is expected to be operational this year.
The HDRS, backed by up to £600 million in funding from the government and Wellcome, is a part of the government’s Plan for Change aiming to develop future-ready NHS that utilises data and technology to deliver the best care.
Dr Ivarsson’s appointment follows Baroness Blackwood being announced as HDRS chair in November, as the service, to be housed at the Wellcome Genome Campus in Cambridgeshire, is expected to start functioning from December this year.
Wellcome is building a range of new R&D laboratory and office spaces to expand the capacity of the current campus.
Dr Ivarsson has rich experience in healthcare innovation and industry, having led the clinical trials that produced one of the world’s first COVID-19 vaccines at Moderna.
She has also held senior roles at pharmaceutical firms Eli Lilly, Pfizer and Takeda and has a strong research background, conducting post-doctoral research at New York University in the US and Lund University in Sweden.
Health innovation minister Dr Zubir Ahmed said, “I am delighted to announce Melanie Ivarsson’s appointment. Her experience leading some of the most important discoveries in healthcare is exactly the sort of expertise we need leading our HDRS.”
“Having seen firsthand what we can achieve when health and care data is utilised for research, I’m excited to work across the four nations of the UK and with partners across the life sciences ecosystem to turn the HDRS ambition into reality,” said Dr Melanie Ivarsson as she expressed her joy on her new role.
HDRS will streamline processes by slashing red tape for approved researchers in both commercial and academic sectors to develop new medicines and therapies, while upholding data security, privacy and ethical oversight.
