Welcome to the Media Centre

The BIA Media Centre is a resource space for journalists and members of the press who are looking for information and experts on key issues within the UK biotech and life sciences sector.

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. We work with our members and partners to champion innovation, attract and develop talent, drive investment, build global partnerships, influence policy, and engage the ecosystem.

In this Media Centre, you will find:

  • Press releases and statements on the latest news and developments in the UK biotech and life sciences sector.
  • Backgrounders on key issues, such as regulation, funding and intellectual property.
  • Experts for interviews on a range of topics.
  • A calendar of events, including industry conferences and trade shows.

  • The UK accounts for 35% of all life science start-ups created in Europe since 2012, according to data published by McKinsey.
  • Government figures show there are over 6,548 businesses in the UK life sciences industry, and approximately 70-80% are small and medium-sized enterprises. These businesses employ over 282,000 people and generated £94.2 billion of turnover in 2021. The number of businesses and the number of sites operated by these businesses have both seen an upward trend since 2009, with 23% more businesses and 32% more sites operating across the UK in 2021 compared to 2009.
  • Investment in UK life science start-ups and scale-ups as risen from £261 million in 2012 to £1.8 billion in 2022, but fluctuates significantly depending on global macro-economic factors. More UK-based investment is required to complement overseas capital.   
  • Medical innovation is driven by smaller companies, which represent 65% of the global drug development pipeline with an additional 7% being developed by them in partnership with larger firms, according to data published by IQVIA.

BIA was founded in 1989 and has over 500 members, including start-ups, SMEs, pharmaceutical companies, universities and charities. We are headquartered in Bloomsbury, London and are the leading voice in the UK life sciences sector, regularly consulted by the government on key policy issues.

About the BioIndustry Association (BIA)

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.

Helping biotech and life sciences sector to influence, connect and save.  www.bioindustry.org

 

 Latest press releases

 

Post-Brexit border paperwork and inspections postponed for life sciences sector

Importers of laboratory reagents and materials used in the manufacture of medicines in the UK’s life sciences sector have been given a six-month extension to make the necessary changes to their supply chains for new post-Brexit border paperwork and border inspections.

BIA responds to Spring Budget 2024: highlights for UK life sciences

Three highlights for UK life sciences: first, the new expert advisory panel for the HMRC is a smart way to maximise the efficiency of R&D tax relief support for life science innovators; secondly, Alan Marchington’s ICG winning the LIFTs scheme shows real movement to unlock pension funds for life sciences; thirdly, AstraZeneca’s investment in next-generation manufacturing in Speke and Cambridge shows the strength of our ecosystem.

Deep Biotech will deliver a more sustainable future, and BIA is its new voice

Deep Biotech encompasses innovative companies harnessing the power of engineering biology to tackle humanity's most pressing challenges, from environmental pollution to climate change. From cultivating meat without animals to crafting bio-based materials that replace harmful plastics, Deep Biotech offers a sustainable roadmap for a greener future. 

Professor Sir Mene Pangalos wins Lifetime Achievement Award at the BIA’s Gala Dinner

Mene led AstraZeneca's pharmaceutical discovery and early development through a key period of growth and innovation and was a driving force for scientific excellence and collaboration. Joining the company in 2010, Mene transformed AstraZeneca’s approach to R&D, fostering deeper academic and industry partnerships, pioneering Open Innovation programmes, and building a culture that values truth-seeking in science.

Resilient UK biotech sector lands £1.8 billion investment in 2023

New report highlights sector's strength, investor confidence and long-term returns. London-quoted biotechs also continue to outperform UK and US markets over the long term, having made substantial gains during the pandemic that have not been lost.   

BIA unveils new data: UK leads Europe in cell and gene therapy as sector makes significant strides  

The UK is cementing its position as a global leader in cell and gene therapy, according to a new report released today by the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA), in collaboration with Citeline.