BIA responds to Prime Minister Theresa May’s Florence speech

Reacting to Prime Minister Theresa May’s Florence speech, BIA CEO Steve Bates, said: 

“The life sciences sector has always called for a significant transition period for Brexit, so we welcome today’s suggestion of a transitional implementation period as a sensible step forward.

"The two-year transition adds a further 730 days to the existing 552-day countdown to Brexit which is still not long for businesses in our sector to plan for the future. We continue to need clarity on the future relationship between the UK and EU as soon as possible.

“The negotiations need to ensure the UK “stays hand in hand with the EU” on medicines regulation, that tariffs (or other barriers) are not imposed where none exist, enable our businesses to speedily recruit and retain the talent they need, and enable collaborative science and funding mechanisms to continue. “

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Notes to Editors

Contact: Ed Sexton, BIA Media Relations Manager, 0207 630 2196 [email protected]

About the BIA

Established over 25 years ago at the infancy of biotechnology, the BioIndustry Association (BIA) is the trade association for innovative life sciences in the UK. Our goal is to secure the UK's position as a global hub and as the best location for innovative research and commercialisation, enabling our world-leading research base to deliver healthcare solutions that can truly make a difference to people's lives.