17 April 2025

BIA partners with leading UK engineering biology innovators at SynBioBeta 2025

The BioIndustry Association (BIA) today announces the return of the UK Pavilion at SynBioBeta 2025. This dedicated space will unite leading UK engineering biology companies and ecosystem partners to highlight the UK’s world-class strengths in engineering biology.

Visitors to the UK Pavilion will meet pioneering UK businesses, explore cutting-edge developments in deep biotech, and hear directly from senior figures shaping the global bioeconomy - including keynote speaker the Rt Hon Lord David Willetts.

The UK: a global leader in engineering biology

The UK is second only to the US in research excellence and grant investment in engineering biology, ranking fifth globally for publications and fourth for their impact. With 1,162 companies operating in the field and a 180% increase in high-growth engineering biology firms since 2013, the UK ecosystem is unquestionably one of the best in the world.

Between 2018 and 2024, UK deep biotech companies raised £1.09 billion in private investment. From 2017 to 2022, the UK led Europe in both the number of biotech start-ups and the funding they attracted and a total of £5.2 billion was raised by UK engineering biology firms, placing the UK third globally, after only the US and China.

Featured companies at the SynBioBeta 2025 UK Pavilion:

Inspiralis
A global leader in DNA topology, Inspiralis supplies topoisomerase enzymes and screening services, powering vital genetic and synthetic biology research.
HERlab
At the intersection of biology and engineering, HERlab is developing adaptable diagnostic and therapeutic platforms that advance personalised healthcare.
Twig Bio
A sustainable biomanufacturing company replacing fossil-based inputs with bio-based alternatives to support a low-carbon, circular economy.
Ogibiotec
Delivering a scalable platform for synthetic biology-based product development, Ogi Bio enables faster routes to market for industrial and specialty applications.

Furthermore, we have three companies co-hosting the UK Pavilion this year. They are:

National Measurement Laboratory, the UK's Designated Institute for chemical and biological measurement.
NPL, the UK's National Metrology Institute (NMI), develops and maintains the national primary measurement standards.
SynbiCITE, the UK's national centre for the adoption and use of synthetic biology.

Launch of the Deep Biotech report

SynBioBeta 2025 will also mark the launch of the latest BIA’s Deep Biotech report - a comprehensive analysis of the trends, technologies, and investment patterns shaping the future of synthetic biology. Make sure to monitor this space for the latest updates.

Keynote speaker: the Rt Hon Lord David Willetts

Former Minister for Universities and Science and a champion of UK innovation, Lord Willetts - currently Chair of Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) - will share insights on the strategic role of engineering biology in the UK’s economic and scientific future. As a key architect of the UK’s modern science and innovation strategy, Lord Willetts has been instrumental in championing emerging technologies, and his perspective will highlight how engineering biology - spanning synthetic biology, biomanufacturing, and sustainable production - can drive growth and improve public health.

Join us at SynBioBeta 2025

Join us at the UK Pavilion to meet the innovators driving UK engineering biology forward. If you’re interested in attending, as a BIA member, you will receive a discount.

UK companies (up to Series A) looking to attend the conference are eligible for a significantly reduced rate ticket for staff of £1,160, giving you access to the full conference and exhibition. Please get in touch with me or George Caterer for the ticket code.

For further information, please contact Albert Maguire-King at [email protected] or 07874 617351