31 January 2013 -- Today, more than 30 senior executives from BioIndustry Association (BIA) member companies will be holding almost 30 meetings with Ministers, shadow Ministers, peers, senior civil servants and other policymakers to discuss the key issues for the UK’s bioscience sector in 2013.
The biotech executives will discuss the current state of bioscience in the UK, the BIA’s Citizens’ Innovation Funds proposal and the progress with the government’s Strategy for UK Life Sciences as well as hold focussed meetings to discuss the UK tax regime and the future of manufacturing.
These meetings are part of the BIA’s thirteenth annual Parliament Day which provides an opportunity for policymakers to gain feedback from senior figures involved in running innovative UK businesses on current policy and to discuss the measures that the sector believes are necessary to build a globally competitive industry.
Steve Bates, BIA Chief Executive Officer, said:
“Today’s meetings in Westminster and Whitehall provide a chance for Chief Executives and leading industry figures from both large and small bioscience companies to meet with key policymakers and discuss the sector and its contribution to UK jobs and growth as well as improved patient outcomes.
“The UK medical biotech sector is growing and turnover increased 5% to almost £4bn and had almost 26,000 employees last year.
“The Biomedical Catalyst, changes to R&D tax credits and the Patent Box have been well received and are leveraging additional private finance helping biotech companies grow faster.
“We will continue to promote our Citizens’ Innovation Funds proposal which we believe would unlock the patriotic potential of the British public to support innovative businesses, such as those in the life sciences.”
The BIA is pleased to note that one of its member companies, PolyTherics, is expanding its operations at the London Bioscience Innovation Centre (LBIC) in response to rapidly increasing interest in its technologies.
Steve Bates said:
“PolyTherics’ decision to double its space in London demonstrates the vibrancy of the UK scene; as the Investors Chronicle said this week - Biotech is back.”
For further information, please contact Robert Winder, Head of Communications, rwinder@bioindustry.org, 020 7630 2191; mobile 07825 942 934.
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
