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Latest news from BIA
New report reveals strength of the UK’s thriving genomics sector
The BioIndustry Association (BIA), the Wellcome Sanger Institute and Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC) have today launched Genomics Nation, showcasing the strength, breadth and opportunity of the UK’s genomics sector for investors, patients and the UK economy.
New investors drawn to UK biotech as global appetite for innovation continues
New analysis shows that biotech shares on the London Stock Exchange continued to out-perform the wider market in the first half of 2021 as international investors were drawn to the UK’s strong science and high-quality companies.
BIA welcomes government’s new Life Sciences Sector Vision
The Life Sciences Sector Vision brings together the collective ambition of the Government and the sector for the UK to be the leading global location for the life sciences businesses to innovate, grow and deliver breakthroughs to patients and the public in all parts of the UK.
UK life sciences on the cusp of a golden age as £1.6 billion raised in just three months
New data from the BioIndustry Association (BIA) and Clarivate shows that the UK’s biotech and life sciences sector is on the cusp of a golden age driven by strong demand from global investors for UK innovation, with £1.56bn invested in the last quarter (March 2021 – May 2021). This is the highest total amount ever recorded for a quarter since the trade association began recording this data.
Macomics, the Macrophage-based Drug Discovery company, secures £4.24m expansion financing, and appoints CEO, CSO and VP Immunology
• Follow-on investment, led by Epidarex Capital, closes at £4.24m, following initial £3.2m Seed round in 2020; Caribou Property joins as new investor • Management appointments expand leadership team: Dr Steve Myatt, ex Azeria Therapeutics, to Chief Executive Officer; Dr Carola Ries, ex Roche, to Chief Scientific Officer; Co-founder Dr Luca Cassetta to move from his academic role at Edinburgh University to join as full-time VP Immunology • Funds will accelerate macrophage-based therapeutics R&D portfolio and target discovery capability; expansion of facilities in Edinburgh and Cambridge
Innovative gene therapy programme paves the way for new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases
An innovative gene therapy programme which could pave the way for novel treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, has been launched at the University of Sheffield in collaboration with the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult.
Cytiva and Pall Corporation invest 1.5 billion USD for capacity expansion
An ongoing strategic growth plan from Cytiva and Pall Corporation, part of the Danaher (NYSE: DHR) Corporation, will expand manufacturing capacity and services across geographies for global life sciences customers. The investment, already underway, includes new sites, expansion at existing factories, and is additional to previously announced investments. It follows five acquisitions made by the companies so far this year.
BPES celebrate launch of the new S.NEST by Cytena Bioprocess Solutions
Cytena Bioprocess Solutions have recently launched their next generation microbioreactor, the S.NEST. This exceptional instrument features a patented mixing technology which creates an optimal suspension culture environment, as well as real-time monitoring of pH and dissolved oxygen, four individually controlled incubation chambers and sophisticated analytical software.
Guest Blog | How to grow your biotech start-up
Biotech start-ups need substantial sums of money to fund their research and development activities. To attract investors and scale up their operations, founders must put some fundamental building blocks in place and avoid some common pitfalls.
CEO Update | 26 July 2021
The last week of Parliament before a summer recess often sees a raft of government announcements, as Ministers rush to get things into the public domain before heading off on holiday. Last week was a busy one with several key announcements affecting our sector, including updates on the National Security and Investment Act, the Innovative Medicines Fund, a new BEIS Innovation Strategy and a command paper on Northern Ireland. This was topped off for me by the misleading front page headline on Sunday suggesting “animal testing could end” due to a government review.
BIA blog | Government defines Synthetic Biology for National Security and Investment regime
The National Security and Investment Bill, which the BIA has been working on in recent months, received Royal Assent and became legislation on 29 April 2021. This new law gives the UK Government powers to intervene in and scrutinise certain business transactions to protect national security. Since becoming law, the BIA has been working with Government officials on the outstanding aspects of the regime, like the definitions of the sectors it would apply to and the guidance associated.
CEO update | 19 July 2021
This week sees the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in England and potentially a return to more ‘normal’ times. I’ve been reflecting on the mammoth task the life sciences sector was presented with almost 18 months ago in trying to develop and deliver a vaccine for COVID-19 at unprecedented speed, and how industry, academia and Government managed to come together so quickly and effectively to find solutions to a problem we didn’t fully understand yet.
Please find a selection of featured BIA publications below. To see our full publications library, click here.
Influencing and shaping our sector | BIA update: October 2019 - January 2020
This quarterly update gives an overview of key policy developments and the BIA’s continued engagement with policymakers, regulatory authorities and wider stakeholders on behalf of the UK life sciences sector, from October 2019 to January 2020.
Global and growing - UK biotech financing in 2019
New figures published today (Wednesday 22 January 2020) by the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA) and Informa Pharma Intelligence reveal that the UK biotech sector raised £1.3 billion in 2019.
UK life sciences: Catalysing investment and growth
This updated interim report sets out how the UK life sciences sector is driving investment and growth and makes the case for increased cost-effective public investment in the sector.
BIA biotech manifesto 2019
The United Kingdom (UK) will have a general election on Thursday, 12 December. The UK BioIndustry Association (BIA) has launched a biotech manifesto with its recommendations on how political parties can support the innovative UK life sciences sector.
