BIA update - 20 October 2025
Following a landmark TechBio Week, we reflect with some insights from our flagship conference on the transformative potential for growth of technological advances in the sector. We also share our latest influence activities - highlighted in our latest report, in our Autumn Budget submission and in our member representation across key forums.
TechBio UK: A transformational week of innovation
Our flagship TechBio UK conference last week was a great success, showcasing the vibrant innovation, collaboration, and talent driving the sector forward.
Jane Wall
Managing Director, BIA
High-impact keynotes from Chris Gibson (CEO of Recursion) and Professor Charlotte Deane (co-lead of OpenBind and Chair of EPSRC) set the tone. Chris provided a view of learnings from TechBio companies and a bigger picture view of historical patterns of technological advance and impact, while Charlotte closed the day with a powerful reminder of how open data, collaboration and AI modelling can accelerate discovery.
The energy throughout the day reinforced three key reflections that will guide our work: collaboration is critical for accelerating innovation; the UK has unique strengths in talent and infrastructure to compete internationally; and TechBio’s central role in Life Sciences Sector Plan and delivering an NHS fit for the future. The ecosystem is thriving and ready to lead the next decade of challenges.
TechBio's mainstream moment: Scale and global investment
Showcasing UK innovation at One Triton Square
The BIA team was delighted to attend 'Supercharging Innovation in AI, Data Science and Health Care' at One Triton Square, hosted by British Land and Royal London Asset Management, to mark the launch of their new 313,000 sq ft innovation hub.
A highlight was the fireside chat between Rosie Rodriguez (Relation) and Steve Bates, now Executive Chair of the Office for Life Sciences, who reflected on his time at the BIA and shared his optimism for the UK’s next innovation superpower moment. He spoke about the importance of collaboration, trusted partnerships, and spaces like One Triton Square in connecting talent, investment, and ideas across the ecosystem.
BIA appointment to HMRC R&D Tax Relief Expert Panel
The BIA is proud to announce that Chair of BIA Finance and Tax Advisory Committee (FTAC) Melissa Strange has been appointed to HMRC's R&D Tax Relief Expert Panel. Comprised of six experts, the panel will provide sector insights and guidance to support HMRC’s administration of R&D tax reliefs.
Melissa Strange, CFO, EnteroBiotix and Chair of BIA FTAC said:
I am delighted to be representing the BIA on HMRC's new R&D Tax Relief Expert Advisory Panel. As Chair of the BIA's Finance and Tax Advisory Committee, and through my own experience across the life sciences sector, I know how vital these reliefs are. I am looking forward to collaborating with HMRC to ensure the reliefs are working as needed for our sector.
R&D tax reliefs are essential to UK life sciences. particularly SMEs, and Melissa will use her extensive experience and BIA member input through FTAC to help ensure the reliefs are delivering for the sector.
Talk of investment heightens ahead of Budget
Interesting to see the announcements from government starting to flow ahead of the Autumn Budget with news of additional funding ahead of the Regional Investment Summit and we continue to follow the ongoing UK/US government negotiations.
As BIA have stressed in our Autumn Budget submission, getting the commercial environment right in the UK is a priority and life sciences has huge potential as an engine for growth - a difficult balance to strike with the purse strings tightening.
Our Autumn Budget submission
Last week we submitted response to the Autumn Budget. Our submission recognised the positive steps taken by government for the life sciences, such as designating the sector as a priority in the Industrial Strategy, stabilising R&D tax reliefs, and increasing funding to the British Business Bank and National Wealth Fund.
We know that the sector has the potential to be a major growth engine, but confidence in the UK as a destination for life science investment remains fragile due to the broader commercial environment and rising costs for business. We are asking government to demonstrate their full confidence in the sector: not risking high-potential assets for short-term savings, but by investing in growth.
Parliamentary and Scientific Committee on Chemical Engineering
Last week, in partnership with the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), Kate Barclay, BIA Skills Strategy Consultant, joined the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee panel discussion ‘Delivering the Industrial Strategy’.
Readout from Galleri trials
Meanwhile, it has been positive to see some great initial readouts on the Galleri blood test developed by Grail. Currently being trialled by the NHS, much will depend on the results of a three-year trial involving 140,000 NHS patients in England, to be published next year.
It was great to hear the story direct from Sir Harpal Kumar at the BIA’s Life Science Leadership Summit back in June, and so important that we advance early diagnosis if we are going to lighten the load on our health systems.
