.png)
.png)
Latest news from BIA
BIA Update | 15 August 2022
With the August lull and many people taking well-earned breaks, at BIA we are forging ahead with planning new events and new directions for 2023. As BIA membership continues to grow and thrive we face the challenge of continuing to connect and engage effectively with ever larger numbers of member companies and their employees, and we’re looking to address this with additional capabilities and exciting new initiatives.
EngBio Innovator Spotlight: bit.bio/Meatable
UK companies are working across a diverse range of applications of engineering biology. Featured in the 'Power of Biology: The UK is engineering biology for global good' report, the following case study highlights bit.bio/Meatable and gives additional insight into how this transformative technology can be used across healthcare, industry and agriculture.
CEO Update | 8 August 2022
Summertime can be a quiet time but there has been a string of high-profile announcements within the UK sector to celebrate. Last week, RoslinCT announced that they have signed a business combination agreement with US advanced therapy CDMO Lykan Biosciences to form a global leading innovative advanced therapies CDMO. Read more on our engagement with the Labour Party and Biomedical Catalyst Round 2.
TechBio innovator spotlight: Faster, more accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer
Suspected prostate cancer cases need a biopsy, 80% of which result in complications. Improving diagnosis, using artificial intelligence with patient MRI scans, will reduce the risk of complications and speed up diagnosis.
Genomics drives UK life science success, new report finds
Genomics companies outperform their life science peers at attracting both public and private investment according to a new report. New data shows that UK genomics companies raised £1.9 billion of venture investment and £35.7 million in public grants since 2017, demonstrating the strength of this innovative sector.
UK R&D tax relief remains highly supportive of life sciences following BIA campaign
The UK’s R&D tax relief regime will continue to support innovative life sciences and biotech companies to conduct essential clinical trials and some pre-clinical work overseas following the publication of new draft legislation. However, some concerns remain, with further clarifications and guidance needed, says the sector’s trade association.
UK biotech leaders urge policy makers to boost sector as economic climate worsens
The UK biotech sector has continued to attract investment despite global economic headwinds impacting all sectors, new data published by the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA) and Clarivate shows today (30 June 2022). The data has been published as biotech leaders visit the Houses of Parliament to press policy makers to make the most of the UK’s competitive advantage to be at the forefront of global innovation in the 21st Century. The new data on equity investment in the UK biotech and life sciences sector between March and May 2022 shows £450m was raised, compared to £481m in the first quarter of 2022
UK life sciences sector response to COVID-19 key for Moderna investment
Steve Bates OBE, Chief Executive of the BioIndustry Association and former member of the UK Vaccine Taskforce in 2020 said: “UK innovators look forward to welcoming the Moderna team into our collaborative and capable community. The UK’s life science ecosystem’s innovation base, with Moderna’s new mRNA Innovation and Technology Centre and additional mRNA manufacturing centre stage, is now superbly placed to ensure the next generation of mRNA technologies, including next generation vaccines, are developed and manufactured for the globe from the UK."
Cancer researchers taking the MYC
Cancer researchers taking the MYC (pronounced Mick) is an oncogene – a gene that when deregulated can contribute to formation of cancer. Many things are known about the Myc protein produced from this gene: that it interacts with DNA to switch on/off many other genes (about 15% of all genes!), and in turn it orchestrates several (more than 10) cellular processes. But when there’s too much of it, it helps cancers to develop, and this is a key feature of more than half of all cancers in humans. But we still don’t know enough about it.
Transplant hope for minorities as researchers change kidney blood type
Kidney Research UK-funded researchers at the University of Cambridge have successfully altered the blood type on three deceased donor kidneys in a ground-breaking discovery that could have major implications for kidney patients. The project could increase the supply of kidneys available for transplant, particularly within ethnic minority groups who are less likely to be a match for the majority of donated kidneys.
Medicines Discovery Catapult and ZEISS Set Sights on Advancing Microscopy
Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC) and ZEISS have joined forces to improve drug discovery and early development of complex medicines by harnessing the power of advanced microscopy solutions.
Arecor granted European patents protecting proprietary formulations of high concentration Humira® biosimilar
Patents demonstrate strength of innovative ArestatTM technology and its potential in development of enhanced formulations of high value biologics Further strengthens Group’s extensive patent portfolio protecting its proprietary Arestat™ technology and proprietary products
Here's a selection of featured BIA publications. See Resources Hub
BIA submission to the Labour start-up review
The life sciences and biotech sector plays a significant part in furthering many of the Labour Party’s ambitions for the UK, including rebooting economic growth, providing high-wage jobs and levelling-up opportunities across all parts of the country, delivering Net Zero and improving the health of the nation.
BIA webinar recording: Upcoming changes to the R&D tax relief regime
Genomics Nation 2022: Key findings infographic
Genomics Nation 2022: Highlighting future opportunities for the UK genomics sector
