Resources

The BioIndustry Association (BIA) has recognised the achievements of Dr Ruth McKernan CBE, neuroscientist, entrepreneur, investor and former Chair of the BIA Board, with the inaugural Chiswell Lifetime Achievement Award.

We’re excited to launch She Steers, NEDs in Biotech, a specialist Non-Executive Director (NED) board programme created for women across life sciences and biotech.

J.P. Morgan’s healthcare conference may be wrapped up, but it has set some tangible momentum and without doubt a more buoyant mood for global life sciences going into 2026.

This week JPM kicks off in San Francisco with BIA hosting a UK Reception. A significant week for BIA too with the long-awaited announcement of our new CEO.

In this blog, Blood Cancer UK reflects on a year of partnership with BIA — from raising vital funds and forging new connections in life sciences, to amplifying the voice of people affected by blood cancer across the UK.

The UK biotech financing numbers for Q3 are out, showing validation of UK assets but a sector under strain from prolonged global headwinds. Time to double down on investment in innovation as a driver for growth and deploy Industrial Strategy plans with urgency.

The BIA moves into a new era this week, amidst news from the US on tariffs for UK pharma, UK political party conferences underway and a change in leadership at GSK. It’s full steam ahead for BIA towards a busy Autumn, ensuring that the life science sector stays at the top of the government’s priority list and that our members are represented and connected.

This is my final CEO update in Newscast after 13 years at the BIA. I take up my new role as Executive Chair of the Office for Life Sciences next Monday. Before I do, I want to thank you - my loyal readers - for engaging with my musings over the years, and for your feedback that has improved this blog and my thinking.

In the last week, we have been hit by headlines that MSD plans to close its discovery research activities in London and that AstraZeneca is pausing investment due to the UK commercial environment and specifically in response to VPAG outcomes.

In this blog, Elisa Petris, Partner at Syncona Investment Management Limited, and Emma Johnson, Senior Investment Manager – Life Sciences at the British Business Bank, write in their capacity as Co-founders of Invest in Equity. They share why they launched the initiative, the urgency of improving gender diversity in life science investment, and how a more inclusive ecosystem can drive stronger returns and better outcomes for patients.

In this blog, Charlotte shares how her experience as a mentee on the BIA’s Women in Biotech mentoring programme helped her build confidence, embrace her leadership style, and navigate the challenges of a growing career in biotech. 

Alina O'Keeffe, Associate Director Marketing and Communications at BIA, attended BIA's recent Women in Biotech event in West London. It had one central finding: a more engaged Women in Biotech scene will engender a more dynamic sector for everyone.

NHS 10 Year Health Plan for England, a strategy for European Life Sciences and hope to see you at the “sunny” BIA Summer Party on Wednesday.

The Mansion House Accord fails to sparkle, but as the UK and EU reset relations, our focus turns to opportunities in deep biotech and the need for migration policy to support the talent our sector needs to thrive.

On 6 March 2025, just ahead of International Women’s Day, the BioIndustry Association (BIA) hosted the Women in Biotech Cambridge event—a vibrant gathering of trailblazing women shaping the life sciences landscape.

New Women in Biotech leadership report is first in comprehensively collecting and examining C-suite gender leadership data for UK biotech. The report identifies clear successes of female leadership at the same time as highlighting sustained challenges.  

As 2024 comes to a close, we’re proud to reflect on a year of championing the life sciences sector, from driving impactful policy changes to fostering connections across the UK and beyond. Dive into our key achievements, events, and milestones that shaped the year and set the stage for an exciting 2025.

As we engage as an Association in the development of the life science sector plan, the 10 year NHS plan and the UK’s industrial strategy this winter, this week I’ve been reflecting on what recent NHS announcements on adoption of innovation tell us.

PIR International recently partnered with Closed Loop Medicine in appointing Luba Greenwood as Non-Executive Chair