Strategic technologies

The 21st century is proving to be one of the most exciting and prolific periods of innovation in biosciences and healthcare. Advances across biology, technology, engineering and data science are converging to help create new, potentially life-changing solutions for individuals and societies across the globe.

BIA has identified areas of strategic importance in this new and exciting age of science. Choose an area to learn more, read case studies and see how R&D is already making an impact on people's lives.  

UK biotech companies are at the forefront of these innovative, converging disciplines. These companies are a key part of our membership. As the trade association for innovative life science companies in the UK, we provide a home for these groups through our Advisory Committees, working groups and networks.


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Genomics

The study of our genetic material, or DNA, is enabling truly personalised medicines, designed to effectively address particular diseases with as few side effects as possible. 

 
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TechBio

Biotech companies are using cutting-edge techniques from data-driven tech to transform drug discovery and patient care. We call this interface of biology and technology “techbio".

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EngBio

Combining engineering, biology and programming to create tools, processes, products and organisms that are greener, cleaner and more efficient. The areas of application for engineering biology are vast.

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Antimicrobial Resistance

Some harmful bacteria have developed ways to outsmart modern antibiotics and become resistant. Bacteria reproduce and evolve far faster than humans and most animals and they can share helpful DNA easily among each other, not just with their offspring. Genes that encode antibiotic resistance are passed around far and fast.

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Cell and Gene Therapy

As engineers and biologists join forces to build ever-more sophisticated gene-editing tools, new classes of medicines are emerging, including cell and gene therapies. These involve altering cells or genes, usually outside the body, to provide a patient-specific therapy that is re-injected into the patient.