One of the key roles of the BIA in representing the UK bioscience sector is to inform stakeholders of the benefits that bioscience can bring to everyday life, whether through the development of innovative new medicines.
The BIA communicates the benefits of bioscience to the public, media, parliament and government.
1. The benefits of the bioscience industry
The bioscience industry has made significant advances in our understanding of the way in which plants, animals and humans work, with direct benefits in many areas including healthcare, diagnostics, environmental and agricultural bioscience and a growing range of non-traditional industrial applications.
Variations in our genetic makeup are responsible for an estimated 5,000 hereditary disorders including Huntington’s disease, cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anaemia. Developments in bioscience (including the discovery of genes, new techniques and advances in current medical knowledge) could lead to treatments for presently untreatable conditions and potentially eliminate the need for organ donation.
Advances in bioscience will revolutionise medical treatment, moving from diagnostics and treatment to detection and prevention.
The information produced by the human genome has led to a significant step forward in our understanding of the way in which we understand and develop treatments for incurable genetic conditions. The human genome project has not only enabled us to identify the vital role that genes play in human disease and illness, but to accelerate these discoveries.
2. The bioscience industry in the UK
The UK bioscience industry is widely recognised as one of the most advanced in the world. Our innovative and entrepreneurial sector is the largest in Europe and second globally only to the US. There are approximately 455 dedicated bioscience businesses in the UK employing around 21,500, with revenues of around €4.5bn in 2004.
Britain’s entrepreneurial bioscience sector is the leader in Europe, accounting for 21% of all entrepreneurial bioscience companies and around half of public biotech companies in Europe in 2004.
The UK was the finance-raising leader within Europe, accounting for over 40% of European money raised in 2004. In addition, UK biotech companies spent €1.57bn on R&D in 2004.
There are currently 47 UK companies and five non-UK companies developing biopharmaceutical products in the UK. Of these 34 have products in preclinical trials and 30 have a product in clinical trials. There are 189 new drugs that were discovered and developed in the UK in preclinical or clinical trials or awaiting approval, more than 10% of the world total.
In Europe, the UK has almost twice as many products in development as its nearest competitor, Germany, with France and Switzerland in third and fourth positions.
Although the number of products in the UK clinical pipeline has declined in 2006, the pipeline has strengthened as products progress towards the market - trends that are mirrored globally.
It is vital that investment and careful regulation allow us to maintain our lead in this area.
The UK also has a developing industrial biotechnology sector. UK companies are using bioscience to address process challenges to speed the move to a bio-based economy from a fossil-based economy. In addition, chemicals, plastics and fuels that have traditionally been made using chemical processes are increasingly being made using more efficient and environmentally-friendly bio-catalysed processes.
3. Regulation
National and international regulation of all areas of bioscience must strike a balance between promoting innovation and addressing public concerns. The BIA is supportive of informed debate on all bioscience issues.
It is crucial that society and government clearly understand the issues and set the framework within which the bioindustry can develop effectively in the UK and abroad.
The BIA supports government committees on ethics and biotechnology and advocates the development and application of the biosciences within appropriate guidelines.
In addition to regulation of the sector, patenting plays an important role in encouraging innovation. Current European Directives on intellectual property ensure that the entrepreneurial incentive provided by the patenting system has been preserved.
4. The BIA's position
The BIA recognises the need for society to understand the implications of scientific advances and how this knowledge is being applied. It is supportive of informed, open debate with all interested groups – from industry and government to patient support groups.
The BIA is committed to ensuring that the enormous potential of developments in bioscience is realised, that our understanding of these developments and potential discoveries as a society is clear and that we work with regulators to manage them in a responsible way.
In September 2006, the BIA published an updated Code of Best Practice on Corporate and Financial Communications to ensure consistency in the way in which bioscience companies communicate information about new developments.
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