BIA blog

Unlocking the power of Virtual Reality to overcome anxiety and phobias

XR Therapeutics is a start-up company, spun out of Newcastle University, helping people to overcome their phobias or anxiety using Virtual Reality technology. We spoke with Penny Day, Head of Operations, about the role of virtual reality in mental health treatment, and how XR is making waves in this space.

CEO Update | 20 March 2023

The Budget last week had major wins for BIA members including changes to R&D tax credits rates for loss-making SMEs. Read our press release and Martin’s analysis blog. This is a major, major win for a BIA campaign and wouldn’t have happened without member engagement and perseverance. Many thanks to all who helped – this non dilutive government co-investment will make all the difference as you crowd in private sector investment.

Spring Budget analysis: Chancellor delivers a boost for biotech

The Chancellor has revealed an enhanced R&D tax relief rate for “R&D intensive SMEs” and delayed restrictions for claims on overseas activity following the BIA’s campaign. In a Spring Budget designed to show he has a steady hand on the tiller and a plan to put wind in the UK’s sails, the Chancellor’s Spring Budget was packed full of announcements for the life sciences sector, including a funding boost for the medicines regulator and investment zones around the UK.

You can't beat a beta-defensin

Meet Dr Jimi Wills. With over 20 year of experience as an academic scientist, working with diverse partners in wet and dry labs across sector, Jimi is now a Senior Software Engineer at Firefinch Software. Firefinch are a group of experienced software engineers and problem solvers, with a combined 50+ years in biotechnology, engineering and manufacturing. Jimi was part of a multidisciplinary collaboration that published a paper in Nature last month, evaluating the role of Human Beta Defensin 2 in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Learn about the findings in his blog!

 

Member News

Macomics and Ono Pharmaceutical partner to discover and develop macrophage-targeting antibody therapy for the treatment of cancer

Worldwide drug discovery collaboration agreement with Ono to develop new antibody drugs against a novel macrophage target of interest in immuno-oncology

Brainomix receives FDA clearance for its flagship stroke AI imaging software

The Oxford, UK headquartered company, long established as a market leader in Europe and a pioneer in the development of innovative stroke AI solutions, is now poised to take its transformative technology to US stroke centers

CF AMR Syndicate launches £3 million Collaborative Discovery Programme

Funding new antimicrobials to treat lung infections in people with Cystic Fibrosis

Sustaining skills to supercharge the UK life sciences sector

Medicines Discovery Catapult celebrates British Science Week 2023

 

Latest resources

Here's a selection of featured BIA publications. See Resources Hub  

BIA submission to Spring Budget 2023

BIA has submitted its representation to HM Treasury for the Spring Budget 2023. 

 

Press Releases

Chancellor gives boost to medical innovation and life sciences industry in Spring Budget

The UK’s Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, has announced a special higher R&D tax relief rate for the UK’s most innovative businesses in his Spring Budget today (15 March). The UK’s trade association for innovative life sciences and biotech, the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA), has warmly welcomed the announcement.

Statement on Silicon Valley Bank rescue package

Steve Bates OBE, CEO of the BIA, said on the sale of the Silicon Valley Bank UK to HSBC announced by the Bank of England, in consultation with the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), HM Treasury (HMT) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Pharma looks to UK for innovation as global economic uncertainty hits fundraising

As global macroeconomic uncertainty hit fundraising across all sectors, investment in UK biotech fell from the all-time highs seen in 2021, new analysis from the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA) and data and insights company Clarivate shows. However, global pharma and investors looked to UK innovation to strengthen their product pipelines, with UK biotechs being acquired at a premium and others achieving pivotal milestones in their development.

BIA announces new appointments to the BIA Board

The BioIndustry Association (BIA) is pleased to announce the members who have been elected to its Board of Directors and will begin their work this month. BIA members elect five Board Directors, which includes four Corporate and one Other member. The Board Directors were voted for by the BIA’s membership in the weeks leading up to the AGM in October. These members will join the BIA Board from 1 January 2023, for a three-year term, adding to the considerable industry knowledge that the BIA Board can draw on.

 


The BioIndustry Association (BIA) is the voice of the innovative life sciences and biotech industry, enabling and connecting the UK ecosystem so that businesses can start, grow and deliver world-changing innovation.

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policymakers, ensuring your voice is heard on the matters that are critical to the success of your organisation

with the UK ecosystem
through industry-leading events, expert committees and overseas missions

money with the BIA Business Solutions purchasing programme, helping you start, grow and deliver world-changing innovation