BioIndustry Association Release: Welcomes the Appointment of UK MEP as Rapporteur on Clinical Trials Rethink

10 October 2012 -- The BioIndustry Association (BIA) today welcomed the appointment of UK MEP Glenis Willmott as the rapporteur for the European Parliament on the proposed Clinical Trials Regulation.

Steve Bates, BIA Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"Glenis understand the concerns of the UK life science sector and has a strong track record of supporting medical research that can lead to life saving treatments. She understands how the existing rules have played a part in the number of clinical trials in Europe falling over recent years. So, I am delighted that she will be steering this crucial piece of legislation through the European Parliament.

"The proposed Regulation will save time, money and paperwork for companies wishing to run clinical trials across Europe, thus making it easier to develop innovative medicines for patients. Making Europe a globally attractive place to do clinical trials is essential to sustaining and creating high value life science jobs."

For further information, please contact Robert Winder, Head of Communications, rwinder@bioindustry.org, 020 7630 2191; mobile 07825 942 934.

Glenis Wilmott MEP is the Leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party and MEP for the East Midlands. http://www.gleniswillmott.eu

The European Commission legislative proposal for a Regulation on clinical trials for medicinal products: http://ec.europa.eu/health/files/clinicaltrials/2012_07/proposal/2012_07_proposal_en.pdf

The regulation of clinical trials has been a key regulatory priority for the BIA for many years. Christiane Abouzeid, BIA Head of Regulatory Affairs, holds a leadership role for the sector in this area as chair of the clinical trials working group of EuropaBio, the European Association for Bioindustries.

BioIndustry Association

Founded over 20 years ago at the infancy of biotechnology, the BioIndustry Association (BIA) is the trade association for innovative enterprises involved in UK bioscience. Members include emerging and more established bioscience companies; pharmaceutical companies; academic, research and philanthropic organisations; and service providers to the bioscience sector. The BIA represents the interests of its members to a broad section of stakeholders, from government and regulators to patient groups and the media. Our goal is to secure the UK's position as a global hub and as the best location for innovative research and commercialisation, enabling our world-leading research base to deliver healthcare solutions that can truly make a difference to people's lives. For further information, please go to www.bioindustry.org

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