20 October 2010 -- The BioIndustry Association (BIA) today commented on the government’s Spending Review announcements impacting the bioscience sector which include:
- Protection for science and health research budgets
- Maintaining funding for the UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation
Nigel Gaymond, BIA Chief Executive, said:
“Today’s news demonstrates that the government understands the importance of research and innovation in securing the UK’s economic recovery.”
“A real-terms cut still poses significant challenges, but we acknowledge the commitment of Ministers to ensuring a stable scientific research base in the UK. We now need to review the detail to ensure this reflects the needs of the bioscience industry.”
“The UK has world-class science and a wealth of exceptional talent. We hope that the protected funding will enable the UK to maintain both its outstanding academic medical research, and those programmes which have a direct impact on the bioscience industry, such as the National Institute of Health Research, the Medical Research Council and the Technology Strategy Board funding.”
“The forthcoming Growth White Paper, the consultation on R&D tax credits and the taxation of intellectual property will be critical in determining the government’s future course and its impact on industry.”
“The BIA will continue to work closely with Ministers and its industry colleagues in the ABPI, BIVDA and ABHI to ensure that the Office for Life Sciences can deliver the best possible environment to support UK life sciences, and the development of new treatments for patients.”
For further information, please contact Francetta Carr, Director of Communications on 020 7565 7196, or Robert Winder, Communications Manager, 020 7565 7193; mobile 07825 942 934.
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 250 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
Snapshot of biotech sector
- The combined annual turnover for the industry is £4.2 billion representing 30% of the total European turnover. (BIS, 2009)
- The UK industry has 240 new products in development – 20% of the European total. (Ernst & Young, 2010)
- 99% of UK bioscience companies are SMEs employing between 0-50 people. (BIS, 2009)
- Britain’s scientists are the most successful in the world. We are 1% of the world’s population, but we undertake 5% of the world’s science, 8% share of all scientific publications and over 9% of all citations. (UKTI, 2007)
Other life sciences trade bodies working with the Office for Life Sciences:
ABHI: Association of British Healthcare Industries www.abhi.org.uk
ABPI: The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry www.abpi.org.uk
BIVDA: British In Vitro Diagnostics Association www.bivda.co.uk
