07 October 2014, Manchester – Bionow, the BioIndustry Association (BIA), BioPartner and One Nucleus (ON) today announce the formation of United Life Sciences, a strategic partnership representing over 1000 life science and healthcare members across the UK and internationally. The aim of the partnership is to work together on a range of matters that directly benefit members including Bionow’s members in the north of the UK and the wider UK sector. Today the partnership also publishes the Life Sciences Manifesto 2015 – 2020 which is being launched at the BIA’s UK Bioscience Forum in London. Led by the BIA, the four organisations have worked closely together on the Manifesto to pinpoint the key issues for the sector and make policy recommendations to government. Its three core messages to policy makers are:
• retain focus on strategically important technologies such as regenerative medicine and synthetic biology, which hold great potential to benefit the UK economy;
• ensure a supportive tax and finance environment through continuing policies such as the Biomedical Catalyst, R&D Tax Credits and the Patent Box; and
• support new flexible routes to licensing, evaluation, uptake and reimbursement of cutting edge medicines and treatments to facilitate swift patient access. A centrally funded and reimbursed Early Access to Medicines Scheme and full utilisation of the European Medicine Agency’s Adaptive Licensing pilot will be required to achieve this aim.
Going forward United Life Sciences will:
• Hold a series of UK roadshows to enable early stage companies access capital, understand the evolving policy landscape and grow their businesses;
• Promote and provide discounts for members on each other’s events; and
• Work together to provide a combined approach at large international events.
The group has been working closely together informally for two years, and has already hosted several joint events both in the UK and overseas. The partnership will also be seeking new ways to collaborate with others in the sector.
Announcing the new partnership, Harriet Fear, Chief Executive Officer of One Nucleus, said: “Collaboration and partnership based on mutual respect and trust are the key hallmarks of successful organisations in bioscience and United Life Sciences works in this way too - it’s in my DNA to support the UK after 21 years of serving my country as a diplomat. Collaboration, as so many of our members are aware, is vitally important”.
Dr Geoff Davison, Chief Executive Officer of Bionow, said: “By working together we avoid duplication of effort, recognising that all our members are stretched in terms of their time and resources, plus it recognises the strengths and expertise of each of the four organisations. The partnership is totally focused upon and driven by the needs of the sector and representing over 1000 businesses means the group has international critical mass and clout.”
Steve Bates, Chief Executive Officer of the BIA, said: “Through this collaboration, all four organisations are fully committed to providing a united front and critically, one voice, to the government via the lobbying and advocacy work that the BIA undertakes for the sector.”
Lin Bateson, Executive Director of Biopartner UK, said: “Linking up to provide a combined approach will help to focus international attention on UK bioscience expertise to encourage growth, inward investment, and much-needed funding.”
Notes to Editors
• The Manifesto will be launched at the UK Bioscience Forum event, the BIA will be tweeting from the event using the hash tag #UKBSF
• The report has been launched during European Biotech week. Further information is available at http://www.biotechweek.org/
Links
• The UK Life Sciences Manifesto 2015-20 can be downloaded at http://bia.me/Manifesto2015-20
Background information:
BioIndustry Association
Founded 25 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 and twitter.com/BIA_UK
Bionow
Bionow is the life-sciences membership organisation for the North of England and supports business growth, competitiveness and innovation within the biomedical and life science sectors. Bionow’s mission is to provide the tools and support for organisations within the biomedical and life sciences sector in the North of England to become amongst the most competitive in the industry.
As part of the programme of support that Bionow delivers we host a number of key events in the life sciences calendar and over the coming months we have an outstanding calendar of activities, including BioCap 2014 the only specialist life science investment and showcase conference in the North of England, BioInfect 2014 setting the global anti-infectives agenda and the prestigious Bionow Annual Awards Dinner. For more information visit www.bionow.co.uk
BioPartner UK
BioPartner UK is an accredited trade organisation (ATO) that promotes international partnering for trade, investment and collaborations with UK life science companies. They bring an international perspective to the round table group, facilitating access to overseas markets for our members and those of the partner organisations.
One of BioPartner’s main roles is to promote UK expertise at key international conferences: having managed 3 UK delegations in 2014, preparations are currently underway for the UK Pavilion at Bio-Europe in Frankfurt.
BioPartner UK gives new and growing UK companies an edge when going international; managing applications for UK Trade & Investment’s ‘TAP’ grants that offset the cost of attending some events, and brokering discounts with event organisers for UK delegates. Working closely with United Life Sciences partners, we promote UK bioscience as a whole, as well as individual companies on our UK Exhibition Stands and online directories, and via social media.
Do catch up with them at forthcoming UK events including the BIA’s UK Bioscience Forum and Genesis, and find out about grants and discounts available to offset your costs when travelling overseas; or visit their website:
www.biopartner.co.uk
One Nucleus
Established in May 2010, One Nucleus is the result of the merger of ERBI and London Biotechnology Network. One Nucleus is a not-for-profit membership organisation for international life science and healthcare companies and the largest of its kind in Europe. The company is based in Cambridge UK and London, at the heart of Europe’s largest cluster. The 470 members include pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and diagnostic companies and associated technical and commercial Service Providers.
You can find out more at: http://www.onenucleus.com/
ENDS
For further press information please contact: Vanessa Wright, The Scott Partnership, 1, Whiteside, Station Road, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, CW4 8AA, United Kingdom Tel: + 44 1477 539539 Fax: +44 1477 539539 Email to: bionow@scottpr.com
Helen Williams, Events and Marketing Manager, Bionow: + 44 7714 168020 Email to: helen.williams@bionow.co.uk
Pamela Learmonth, Director of Public Affairs and Communications, BioIndustry Association
Email: plearmonth@bioindustry.org
Phone: 020 7630 2188
Mobile: 07500 014604
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