BIA meets FIRM in Japan

The BIA and FIRM have agreed to work together to enable Japanese companies in regenerative medicine and cell and gene therapy and related industry to collaborate with UK companies and vice versa. To improve collaboration, the BIA and FIRM are making available to each other a directory of members engaged in regenerative medicine, enabling global access to talent, expertise, education and partnerships.

Japan has a history of innovation in regenerative medicine and commitment to a future of global scientific excellence.  There is a strong track-record of partnership working in regenerative medicine between UK and Japanese companies. We hope that this shared directory will enable Japanese and UK companies to work cooperatively to solve problems and accelerate mutual commercial outcomes that generate health and wealth gains for our countries.

The BIA directory has been translated into Japanese and (along with the English version) can be found on our website here . At the ceremony of exchange, the BIA was represented by Interim Director of External Affairs, Nicky Edwards and the hosts FIRM were led by Ken-ichiro Hata, Representative Director, Chairman with  Yoshitsugu Shitaka, Representative Director, Vice Chairman, Kunihiko Suzuki, Director, Vice Chairman, Masayuki Nomura: International Affairs Committee Chair, Yoshie Tsurumaki, International Affairs Committee Vice Chair, Hiroko Ide, International Affairs Committee Vice Chair and Mayumi Ono, International Affairs Committee Member, Secretary.

Following the exchange, there was a discussion which focussed on: collaboration between innovative cell and gene therapy companies in the UK and Japan; the openness of the UK to the world after Brexit; and reimbursement models over long periods of time.

Cell and gene therapies are now at the forefront of medical science, achieving their potential to radically transform the treatment of many conditions, including cancers, SMA and macular degeneration. The UK has taken a leading role, both in Europe and globally, in developing new cell and gene therapies. We have 56 Advance Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) manufacturers currently headquartered in the UK along with 93 clinical trials live at the moment. As more and more new products make it market, we will see national and international systems adapting to meet the challenge of these new treatments, building 21^st century appraisal, distribution and reimbursement models for 21^st century medicines.

The UK is already well-placed to be an exemplar for how to develop and deliver cell and gene therapies, with the ATTC Network, the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult and central government support. The BIA is pleased to play a prominent role in the UK and around the world as an advocate for cell and gene therapy developers, working closely with international partner organisation such as FIRM to highlight the work being undertaken by UK companies, government bodies, charities and universities to bring cell and gene therapies to patients.

The exchange of directories between the BIA and FIRM is just one of the ways in which we are working to help our members find partnering opportunities around the world to strengthen the UK’s position as a global hub for innovative biotech.