The BIA has partnered with the US-based Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) to leverage the $250 million purchasing power of over 2,700 organisations for both BIA members and UK-based members of BIO.
Initially, members can access BIA-negotiated discounts and favourable terms from VWR International for laboratory supplies and equipment. Additional suppliers will be added to the BIA business solutions programme in the near future.
Glyn Edwards, BIA Interim Chief Executive, said:
"I am delighted that the BIA is the first organisation to offer the BIO Business Solutions cost-savings programme outside North America. The BIA has brought its power as the national bioscience trade association to bear so that all bioscience companies in the UK now have the opportunity to access the significant savings this programme provides. This purchasing programme aligns with the BIA's objective of providing sector-leading support to the bioscience industry in the UK.
"We believe that for our core members - the biotech SMEs with fewer than 20 staff - this programme could save more than their BIA membership fee."
Alan Eisenberg, BIO Executive Vice President, Emerging Companies and Business Development, stated:
"As the world's largest biotechnology trade association that serves and represents the biotechnology industry worldwide, we are excited to expand our very successful programme in the United States to the UK market. Our collaboration with the BioIndustry Association benefits a broad range of life science companies in the rapidly growing UK market."
For further information, please contact Robert Winder, Head of Communications, rwinder@bioindustry.org, 020 7630 2191; mobile 07825 942 934.
BIA business solutions programme: http://bit.ly/biabusiness
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
