CEO Update - 1 September 2025
BIA appoints new chair and says thank you to Dr Daniel Mahony for his service
After nine years of service on the BIA’s Board, and four years of outstanding leadership as Chair, Dr Daniel Mahony will complete his term as Chair at the end of 2025. Following this, we are delighted to announce the appointment of Shaun Grady as the new Chair of BIA, effective from January 2026. Shaun will continue to be Chair of AstraZeneca UK. Shaun brings a wealth of experience in leadership, with a proven track record of advancing innovation and strengthening the life sciences sector. Shaun has sat on the BIA Board since January 2024, and we look forward to his leadership as he succeeds Daniel, who has played a pivotal role in steering BIA and supporting the UK life sciences ecosystem through a period of significant change.
Steve Bates OBE
CEO, BIA
Join Biomedical Catalyst webinar this Wednesday
BIA secured the Biomedical Catalyst funding programme back in 2012 and has been the leading advocate for the continuation of this vital grant funding programme over the years, which delivers nearly £5 of public and business value for each £1 invested. I’m therefore pleased to see the next round of Innovate UK's Biomedical Catalyst Accelerators programme opening soon.
You can find out more in a webinar on Wednesday, 3 September 2025, from 10-11 AM. I highly recommend attending if you want to understand how the programme can help your business build capacity and connect with investors. The Catalyst is open to all areas of life sciences. This webinar can help you better understand how to make the most of what's on offer.
PULSE: new case studies and applications open
Applications are now open for PULSE 2026, BIA’s free three-day leadership and entrepreneurship programme for emerging life sciences entrepreneurs. Developed alongside the Francis Crick Institute, PULSE gives aspiring founders and first-time CEOs practical, expert advice, which allows them to grow and succeed. Also, be sure to read the latest PULSE report, which shines a spotlight on two innovative spinouts – Marra Bio and ConsoneAI, both of which have successfully secured funding to advance their groundbreaking research. These case studies outline the significance of the program in demonstrating the impact of PULSE in helping UK biotech innovators secure funding and scale their businesses.
BIO delegation visits London
I'm looking forward to meeting colleagues from the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) this Wednesday in Westminster. I hope the event will lead to strengthened collaboration between the US and UK biotech sectors.
Blood Cancer UK marks Blood Cancer Awareness Month
Finally, I would like to mention Blood Cancer UK, our Charity Partnership of the year, as they celebrate Blood Cancer Awareness Month. Their new campaign, What it Takes, illuminates what life is like for those with blood cancer and seeks to illustrate both what it takes away from those with it but also what it takes to beat it. I would be grateful if you could amplify this great campaign through your channels and help those with blood cancer in so doing. If you are interested in becoming next year's Charity Partnership, you can apply now. Applications close September 7.
Commenting on UK government affairs, Dr Martin Turner observed the following:
Dr Martin Turner
What does your role at BIA involve?
Martin leads the BIA's policy and public affairs team, overseeing all of the BIA's policy development work, Advisory Committees and engagement with government and other stakeholders. He also supports the BIA Chair, Dan Mahony, in his role as the Government's Life Sciences Investment Envoy and leads BIA's investor relations. He is chief editor of BIA's finance reports and a regular commentator on the life sciences sector in the national media.
Previous experience & achievements
Outside BIA, Martin serves on the Advisory Board of the Cambridge University Science Policy Exchange (CUSPE). He has over fifteen years experience in policy and public affairs and has worked at the Royal Society, the Campaign for Science and Engineering, and the Association of Medical Research Charities. He holds a PhD in molecular biology from the University of Sheffield.
BIA response to the Business & Trade Committee
This week, BIA submitted our response to the Business & Trade Committee’s inquiry on UK trade with the US, India and EU. In our submission, we highlighted the importance of global partnerships for the life sciences sector, stressing that trade agreements are essential to reduce tariffs, align regulations, protect intellectual property, and support innovation and R&D. Successful and effective agreements will depend on clear government objectives, robust implementation, and ongoing monitoring to keep UK life sciences competitive on the world stage
Innovation for bladder cancer patients coincides with a new government-backed RNA Biofoundry in Darlington
NHS England’s announcement that a breakthrough new treatment will almost double survival for patients with advanced bladder cancer is emblematic of why working in this field is so rewarding. When technology progresses and innovation moves forward, patients and society as a whole benefits. This news illustrates the power of our sector to change lives for the better and serves as a reminder of why capital needs to be allocated so that amazing ideas can be translated into amazing realities.
This is not the only win of the week, as, in separate news which nonetheless reinforces the dynamism of the UK ecosystem, there is government backing for a new RNA Biofoundry in Darlington. This £29.6 million facility will dramatically increase the speed at which developments are seen in therapies for cancer and dementia. This is a welcome example of the kind of infrastructure BIA has long called for, with discoveries made here being utilised here through the development of treatment for patients across the NHS.
