The BioIndustry Association (BIA) announced at its AGM this week the launch of a Fledgling Club for early stage bioscience companies.
The Fledgling Club was established following research by the BIA earlier this year that identified the need for a service tailored to new and recently established bioscience companies. Fledgling companies face a number of challenges in their early years, which include appointing the right people, finding and maintaining funding and securing an IP position.
The BIA Fledgling Club will support, nurture and assist the new emerging companies of today to become UK success stories of tomorrow. The range of services offered by the BIA is tailored to meet the needs of Fledgling Club members and includes mentoring and advice on communications strategy and regulatory affairs.
‘We recognise and understand the issues faced by early-stage companies, in particular the challenges of the current funding environment,’ said Aisling Burnand, BIA Chief Executive. ‘The goal of the Fledgling Club is to help create a sustainable bioscience industry in the UK. The Fledgling Club will further strengthen the BIA offering to support bioscience companies at all levels of development.’
To support the Fledgling Club, the BIA is establishing a fledgling company Advisory Committee, chaired by Catherine Beech, Chief Executive of Aitua Ltd. The Advisory Committee members will act as mentors for Fledgling Club members and be the external champions for this new BIA club. Dr Beech commented, ‘I am delighted to be in position to use my expertise in supporting the early stage bioscience companies which are essential for the economic prosperity of the UK.’
In addition, the BIA has launched its Women in Biotech initiative to ensure there is a strong network for women in the UK bioscience sector. The inaugural Women in Biotech event will take place on 6th December 2007, with an keynote address from Louise Makin, Chief Executive of BTG plc. This is the first in a series of networks that the BIA will launch over the next year.
For further information, please contact Francetta Carr, Media Relations Manager, 020 7565 7196; mobile 07711 010 820.
BioIndustry Association Established in 1989, the BIA (BioIndustry Association) exists to encourage and promote a financially sound and thriving bioscience sector within the UK economy and concentrates its efforts on emerging enterprise and the related interests of companies with whom such enterprise trades.
With over 300 members, the BIA supports a wide range of sectors, majoring on the human health benefits of the technology and represents the interests of these innovative companies to a broad section of stakeholders from patient groups to politicians, advancing its members interests both within the UK and internationally to create a healthy UK bioscience sector which benefits society. For further information, please go to: www.bioindustry.org
