CEO blog – 22 June 2026

BIO 2026 | UK-China relations | EU biosolutions | TechBio X | Expanding overseas | BIA Summer Party

Dear Colleagues,

I write to you from the BIO Convention in a relatively cool San Diego where we are proudly representing the breadth of the UK to the world. This week and last capture the urgency of the agenda for UK life sciences across TechBio, biosolutions and health.

Keir Starmer’s resignation as Prime Minister is a timely reminder that the political leadership who write the laws and policies that affect our sector can change quickly. Whatever the shape of things to come, BIA’s role remains constant: ensuring successive governments understand the strategic importance of our sector.

And across the world – from China to Cambridge to here in California – the BIA team is ensuring the UK’s strengths are seen, understood and translated into partnerships, investment and opportunity.

Showcasing UK biotech in San Diego

Natalie Garrett and I are working the BIO conference to demonstrate our unique destination for world class biotech, investment, scientific and clinical services and R&D partnerships. We are pleased to say that Health Minister Preet Kaur Gill has travelled here to underscore Government’s support. As a global leader, the UK has been given a ‘Supersession’ on Wednesday where I will be moderating a public discussion between the Minister and Lawrence Tallon.

Meanwhile, BIA is strengthening links across allied trade associations at the annual gathering of the ICBA (International Council of Biotech Associations) to help our member companies access the insights and assets of a worldwide industry. We are also supporting regulatory diplomacy efforts of MHRA and the Access Consortium nations. Our UK reception then brings hundreds of travelling and internationally based Brits together alongside our global partners and collaborators.

Strengthening the UK-China relationship

Last week, our Managing Director Jane Wall spent the week in Shanghai and Suzhou, continuing BIA’s work to build strong and forward-looking international relationships for the UK biotech sector alongside the Department for Business and Trade and the MHRA.

The visit started with the UK Forum at CPHI China, where Jane showcased the UK life sciences innovation sector as a powerful launchpad for global partnership and innovation. The full-on week also included visits to Suzhou Industrial Park, BioBAY and Zhangjiang Pharma Valley, where she met companies, local government representatives and investors across the burgeoning Yangtze River Delta region to explore future collaboration.

Our objective is to understand and help members navigate the exponential advancement of the China biotech ecosystem, build the relationships that benefit our sector and ensure the UK captures value from a shifting global biotech order.

 

Europe follows UK in biosolutions

Last week the EU adopted its new framework for New Genomic Techniques – new rules that will allow precision-bred crops to be placed on the market and grown in fields in the EU from 2028.

This is a welcome development. It is, in many ways, the EU equivalent of the UK’s Precision Breeding Act. Precision breeding has the potential to support more resilient crops, more sustainable food production and stronger bio-based innovation.

The UK’s own Precision Breeding Act is already active and, in key respects, less burdensome than the emerging EU approach. Nonetheless, we should welcome progress in Brussels while making sure the UK keeps the flexibility to lead through a pro-innovation regulatory framework.

TechBio X and the UK’s health data vision for 2035

Last Thursday, we were at AstraZeneca’s facility in Cambridge for TechBio X, a headline anchor of Cambridge Wide Open Week – and the energy in the room was exactly what you would hope for from this community.

The day opened with the launch of our landmark data vision report. It sets out a clear North Star for the UK’s health data ecosystem: one that can securely unlock data to drive economic growth, transform the NHS and enable innovative companies to scale here in the UK.

Expanding your business overseas for biotech growth

Next Tuesday, our Finance and Tax Community continues its skills webinar series with a timely session on expanding overseas for biotech growth.

This member-only free webinar will cover the practicalities of international growth, including structuring overseas operations, understanding cross-border tax considerations and working effectively with international partners.

Join us at our Summer Party

Finally, a reminder that our Summer Party returns on 2 July at Inner Temple Gardens, London. Join over 400 colleagues from across the sector for an evening of cocktails, canapés and high-level networking in the heart of London.

Wherever you are in the world – and whatever the temperature – I and the BIA team wish you a productive week.