BIA BioSolutions on the ground

In this blog, Linda Bedenik, our Head of Biosolutions and International Policy, and Maddie Cass, our Policy and Public Affairs Manager, reflect on the tireless work they have done, and will continue to do, to propel innovative biosolutions in the UK nationally and across Europe.

The launch of BIA BioSolutions has been an exciting achievement for everyone at the BioIndustry Association (BIA), but our work in the space did not start – nor does it end – there. Throughout March, Linda and Maddie have been championing UK biosolutions both at home and abroad:

Future-proofing Europe's biotechnology industrial policy

In Brussels, Linda joined the European Biosolutions Coalition for a high-profile roundtable on Europe’s biotechnology framework. We assessed the regulatory complexity and investment hurdles that remain barriers across Europe, and shared insights on how the UK is charging ahead through patient capital reforms and regulatory sandboxes.

Ribbon Bio

Linda also visited Ribbon Bio in Vienna for two days of talks and a tour of their impressive labs. She presented on the evolving policy landscape of gene synthesis screening, a topic of growing importance as we move from voluntary to potentially mandatory frameworks. Discussions and panels focused on the diverging views within the sector regarding the benefits and risks of such a shift, both in the UK and globally. Ensuring the BIA voice is present at these regional and international hubs remains central to our mission.

BIOKET

Maddie travelled to Switzerland to engage with the European bioeconomy community at BIOKET (Key Enabling Technologies). The event provided a valuable opportunity to raise the profile of BIA’s work in biosolutions, connect with large corporates and highlight the strength of the UK’s start-up ecosystem.

The current crisis unfolding in the Middle East, and its consequences on the energy market, underlined the pertinence of the event’s keynote message: biotechnology is  central to strengthening European strategic autonomy. There is growing recognition from both policy makers and wider industry that bio-based solutions can help insulate economies from supply chain and resource shocks, driving demand for bio-based products.

IBioIC

Linda took part in the action-packed IBioIC conference. The annual conference is the industry event of the year for the industrial biotechnology community in Scotland, attracting over 400 delegates from industry, research and academia, as well as policymakers, service providers and emerging client sectors. It was great to see so many BIA members featured on the main agenda, showcasing the incredible industrial biotechnology work happening across the UK.

Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein conference

Linda took part in the Food for thought – The value of the ecosystem panel at The Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein Annual Conference 2026, is the UK and Europe’s leading international forum dedicated to the science, technology, investment and policy shaping the future of sustainable protein. She highlighted the role of novel foods as part of the wider biorevolution, and how the recent pro-innovation policy developments in the space lay a promising path for biosolutions across other areas.

NML engineering biology day

Closer to home, Maddie headed to Guilford to visit The National Measurement Laboratory for their conference focused on accelerating responsible innovation in engineering biology. After a morning of diverse panel discussions, and a tour of the cutting-edge laboratories, Maddie shared the perspective of innovative SMEs during roundtable discussions on the standards and metrology needed to unlock advances in engineering biology,

Starting as we mean to go on

Ensuring BIA is present and heard at regional and international hubs is central to how we influence policy, drive economic growth and promote global sustainability on behalf of our members and the wider biosolutions sector.

We’re proud to have kicked off an exciting new chapter for both BIA and UK biotech and will continue to represent UK biosolutions on key issues. From gene synthesis screening to regulation, and from finance to international affairs, you can comfortably continue to do the innovative work our planet needs knowing your voice is heard in the places that matter.