28 February 2022

CEO Update | 28 February 2022

The BIA is looking forward to getting back on the road and seeing members in person. This week we head to Alderley Park for our first Women in Biotech event of the year, and next week we will be holding our first regional event of 2022 in Oxford.

Rare Disease Day 2022

Today is Rare Disease Day, an international awareness day for those living with a rare disease and the BIA is shining a light on the challenges involved in developing drugs for rare diseases. Do keep an eye on our Twitter and LinkedIn for posts throughout the day, or follow #RareDiseasesDay2022.

There are around 7,000 known rare diseases. Despite this, only 5% of rare diseases have a single licensed treatment. As a result, many people living with rare diseases die prematurely or live with debilitating symptoms. This places huge burdens on caregivers, families, and society.

Rapid scientific advancements are enabling the life sciences sector to develop new life-changing and potentially curative treatments for rare and ultra-rare diseases (otherwise known as orphan and ultra-orphan medicines). Developing a drug for any condition is a long and expensive process, but for rare diseases, the situation is even more difficult. The BIA has created a video explaining the difficulties of creating treatments for rare diseases.

New leadership of the Medicines Manufacturing Industry Partnership

Brian Henry of Pfizer and Stephen Ward of the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult have been appointed Chair and Vice-Chair of the Medicines Manufacturing Industry Partnership (MMIP). The MMIP is an Expert Group of the Life Sciences Council, the UK’s most senior life sciences governance body, and is jointly managed by the BIA, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry and the Office for Life Sciences. It aims to help make the UK an attractive place for industry investment in manufacturing, boost UK exports, provide highly skilled jobs and contribute to the UK economy.

Ian McCubbin receives his CBE

Many congratulations to Ian McCubbin on receiving his CBE from his highness the Duke of Cambridge. Ian was a pivotal player in the UK’s response to COVID-19, chairing the BIA’s COVID-19 Vaccine Manufacturing Taskforce to support Oxford University’s and Imperial College London’s vaccine candidates. Ian also joined the Vaccine Manufacturing Taskforce as Vaccine Manufacturing lead, to support the Government’s understanding of manufacturing and scaling up COVID-19 vaccines at pace. Ian has written a short blog about his Investiture ceremony and passes on a special message from Prince William to those involved in manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines, I am sure the whole community will join me in congratulating Ian on his achievement.

Eye Bio

Staying with Vaccine Taskforce alumni, it was great to see in the Financial Times last week comments from Dame Kate Bingham, on how the UK regulator nimbleness during the COVID-19 pandemic is attracting new biotech companies to the UK. In the interview Kate announced her latest investment into Eye Bio, a company focused on tackling blindness and which she will chair.

Government’s Biological Security Strategy

The BIA is seeking the views of members as it develops its response to the consultation on the UK Government’s Biological Security Strategy. The consultation will be assessing the threats and opportunities relating to UK biosecurity, including the crucial role of the UK biotech sector. If you would like to input into the BIA’s response to the consultation then please contact Rosie Lindup by Friday 4 March.