CEO blog – 18 May 2026

^{Chris Molloy discusses Government engagement, the King’s Speech, health data, Isomorphic’s huge raise, the Start-up Festival and expanding BIA’s reach}

Dear Colleagues,

Despite the political uncertainty this week’s sector themes are clear: increasing investor confidence, sector support, but with the need for regulation and market access to keep pace.

From AI drug discovery to health data, and from getting start-ups fit for funding to improving European biosolutions policy, there is plenty for us all to build on, and build we must.

Here is a quick look at the week just gone and what comes next.

Changes in Government: BIA’s continued close engagement

Last week saw the resignations of both Wes Streeting and Zubir Ahmed from Government. Both ministers recognised the value of the Life Sciences sector to our national health. Through the Goals Programmes, Life Sciences Sector plan and foci on both health data (HDRS) and clinical trials, they leave a legacy of support for the sector.

The foundations we at BIA have laid down with Government have given us a solid start with new Health Secretary James Murray, whom we know from his previous role as Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

He has already visited BIA member Relation, which is a positive sign to the UK life sciences sector and a demonstration of that sustained sector support we campaign for.

King’s Speech sets out agenda for our sector

The King’s Speech was delivered on Wednesday. Despite the political uncertainty, the Speech itself set out a legislative agenda with clear relevance for our sector.

The NHS Modernisation Bill could prove especially important for data and adoption of new products, with the proposed Single Patient Record likely to shape how health data is used across care, research and innovation. And the Regulating for Growth Bill could support a more agile, innovation-friendly system overall. The European Partnership Bill may open opportunities too, which must be balanced with the UK’s growing pro-innovation regulatory progress. The later section of this blog shows where we have made inroads with Europe over the past week.

Kate Bingham echoes our vision for data

Adoption and market access, alongside increased use of consented health data were also the focus of Dame Kate Bingham’s piece in the Times. It echoes our vision for UK health data as a national strategic asset and goes on to celebrate the finance and trial positives we are starting to see. Crucially, it highlights the vital importance of UK market access. 

This is not only vital for patients and for market-ready pharma, but also for biotech. Patient access for rare diseases validates a route to a higher volume global market. For more common conditions it also gives the ‘pull incentive’ that is vital to justify future market value. BIA will continue to push for faster access to innovative UK medicines for patients here and in regulatory aligned countries. 

Celebrating continued sector fundraising: Isomorphic secures $2.1 billion raise

Moving onto financing, Last Tuesday, Isomorphic Labs announced a $2.1 billion Series B to scale its AI drug design engine, expand globally and push its pipeline towards the clinic.

This is a major vote of confidence – not just in one company, but in the UK’s strength at the intersection of AI and life sciences. It adds to the already rising and more widespread fundraising for UK companies and funds. Financing is still hard for many members – particularly in early-stage companies – but this is a strong reminder that good science with a growth ambition can attract strong backing.

Helping early-stage companies get fit to fund: See you at Start-up Festival

We are still losing viable early-stage biotechs every week across the UK and there is an urgent need for more funding for those with the right science, plan and people. So, we are inviting members to Thursday’s Start-up Festival on 21 May, headline sponsored by Merck, to get plugged into the right advice and be more fit to fund.

Now in its sixth year, the event brings together rising biotech leaders, advisors and investors for a day of practical sessions on growth, collaboration, IP, investment and leadership. Come hear from speakers including headliner Jack O'Meara, CEO of RNA medicine start-up Aerska. For early-stage companies, it’s a valuable chance to listen, learn, connect and build momentum.

I look forward to seeing many of you there.

BIA working with you across the Nation

Our event attendance isn’t stopping there. BIA Chair Shaun Grady and I are also looking forward to being in Belfast next week alongside HIRANI and the Academy of Medical Sciences. We will be listening to current and future BIA members at the event, using their voices to represent the national need to policymakers, funders and financiers. Register your interest today!

The European view of biosolutions

Finally, our Managing Director Jane Wall was in action at the European Biosolutions Coalition on a panel discussing what Europe and UK need to move the dial: momentum of consensus is building, but speed and regulatory innovation are now urgent in the context of intense global competition.

Last Monday ahead of the Summit, BIA’s Linda Bedenik and the European Biosolutions Coalition brought together expert UK and EU stakeholders to discuss GMO regulation in detail – how the current state is holding companies back, and the steps the UK has taken through the precision breeding act to push innovation forward.

The message was consistent: the system is too slow, too unclear and too outdated for modern biotech. With the EU Biotech Act II and wider EU–UK reset ahead, there is a real opportunity to push for regulation that is proportionate, aligned, pragmatic and innovation-enabling.