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CEO Update - 29 April 2024
Election week
Much of the UK will go to the polls this Thursday in the biggest test of public opinion ahead of the UK general election. Ten key metro mayoral contests take place including in Tees Valley, Manchester, the West and East Midlands and London. The results will be announced over the weekend and give a new mandate to key figures in regions of the UK whilst also helping define if we will have a summer or autumn general election. In Scotland, despite no elections, the first minister resigned earlier today. Watch this space for an analysis coming next week.
It’s one reason why we’ve focused on long-established relationships with senior parliamentarians this quarter. From launching the Labour Party’s Life Science Sector Strategy in Stevenage in January to hosting Science Minister Andrew Griffith MP at our Gala Dinner, we continue representing the sector at the highest levels. Outside of the pre-election political spotlight, but no less important, the BIA has continued to engage with senior civil servants to make the innovative life science and biotech sector heard. From the National Technology Adviser to the MHRA and the IPO, we have continued to strengthen our stakeholder relationships. Read our latest report 'Influencing and shaping our sector'.
Getting set for SynBioBeta
It's great to see such a strong UK delegation heading to SynBioBeta's Global Synthetic Biology Conference in California next week. The UK's ability to put together its governmental, academic and industrial base on engineered biology is a competitive advantage which will be demonstrated in full effect there. 2024 is proving to be a breakout year for the profile and strength of this deep biotech community and, if you want to learn more, read the speech by Paul Freemont from a recent Downing Street reception.
EU Critical Medicines Alliance launched
Last week saw the launch of the EU Critical Medicines Alliance. The Commission has put out a statement, launched a website and published the full list of members, which includes EuropaBio (of which we are a full member) and several other organisations. As this process develops, we will monitor and engage – ensuring our ecosystem has the smoothest engagement on this thorniest of topics. As if no reminder is needed, this week is the week that post-Brexit border checks for many sectors are coming into force – whereas we have secured an important postponement for our sector.
US Biosecure explainer
Thank you to the many members who joined the BIA's webinar on the US Biosecure Act last week (watch the webinar recording). It was really interesting to see how companies are thinking about the implications of this US legislation which, if passed in the second half of the year, will impact biotech company strategy and venture capitalist thinking. What's clear is that the proposal still has some time to go and the details to be fleshed out. As with all business preparation ensuring diversity and security of suppliers, whether it be banks, contracted R&D services, or IT systems is increasingly at the forefront of biotech boards and senior management thinking.
DSIT new appointments
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has announced a new cohort of Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) and the appointment of its new Chief Scientific Adviser. Professor Christopher Johnson will join in July as the new Chief Scientific Adviser. UK Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor Dame Angela McLean DBE welcomed him as 'a leading researcher in cyber security for safety-critical computing systems who brings a wealth of expertise to government'.
DSIT also appointed Dominic Field, Liz Cohen, Gillian Leng (ex-NICE CEO) and Mark Poulton as new Non-Executive Directors to join its board and confirmed the re-appointment of Shonnel Malani as Lead Non-Executive Director alongside Melissa Di Donato, Jason Chin, Saul Klein, Bryan Ingleby and Vikas Shah who remain from the Start-Up Board. I’d welcome insights from BIA members if they work with the newly appointed NEDs and views on whether the DSIT Board has the insight needed to effectively support our life science sector.
Join 'Step up for RNID with the BIA' - our 2024 fundraising challenge
As Deaf Awareness Week 2024 (6-12 May) approaches rapidly, we have partnered with RNID, our charity partner, to provide valuable resources and initiatives aimed at fostering more inclusive workplaces within the biotech sector. From complimentary digital packs with engaging content and plaque featuring your company's name in BSL to free remote deaf awareness training for you and your team (limited spots available), see how you can get involved and help shape inclusive workplace culture.
Lastly, starting next Monday, BIA members are invited to take part in the 'Step Up for RNID with the BIA' challenge starting on 6 May, as part of Deaf Awareness Week. The challenge aims to connect the BIA's headquarters in London with hearing research locations worldwide. Assemble your team (up to 10 members), select a target destination (distances ranging from 200 km to 5,000 km) and prepare to commence your journey over the following four weeks (6-31 May). Learn more
As next Monday will be a Bank Holiday in the UK, the next edition of Newscast will go out on Tuesday 7 May.
Steve Bates OBE
CEO, BioIndustry Association