BIA joins European Biosolutions Coalition

The UK Bioindustry Association (BIA) has today joined the European Biosolutions Coalition, adding UK representation to this influential group.

The European Biosolutions Coalition is an initiative established by several industry organisations to elevate the prominence of biosolutions on the European agenda.

Announcing the tie-up at the BIA’s regional focus event at the Technology and Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Steve Bates, CEO of the BIA, said “Joining the European Biosolutions Coalition enables us to strategically develop our deep biotech community and its agenda through collaboration with like-minded partners in Europe. We know that a clear and science-led regulatory framework is vital to build a sustainable bioeconomy and share the Coalition’s objective to achieve this. This framework should promote innovation and ensure efficient market access for the resulting products."

Sofie Carsten Neilson, Director of the European Biosolutions Coalition, said “The UK has been a shining example of ambitious visions for the Biosolutions industry and its potential to enhance Europe’s sustainability, resilience and competitiveness. I am very pleased that the leading British association the Bioindustry Association (BIA) has decided to join the European Biosolutions Coalition We look very much forward to collaborating with BIA.”

Steve added “The new Westminster parliament and government are ideally placed to drive a science-led regulatory agenda for deep biotech. These companies are creating the innovations today that will grow our economy in the next few years.

“The regulation of future biotechnology is an economic growth agenda shared by Westminster and Brussels. By joining the coalition, we will raise the prominence of biosolutions in both Brussels and Westminster and provide a valuable link between the two.

“The biosolutions agenda is an ideal fit for Labour’s planned Office of Regulatory reform, as it is a significant opportunity for the UK. Enabling science-led regulation will be a competitive economic advantage for countries who seize the opportunity.”

 How we use the power of biology to protect crops and help ensure food security, create sources of energy without the need for fossil fuels, make textiles and packaging from enzymes instead of harmful petrochemicals or resource-intensive cotton, cultivate meat without farming animals, and develop enzymes to turn plastic waste into everyday chemicals is a vital discussion for the incoming UK Government and European Commission seeking economic growth.”

Notes to Editors

Labour’s manifesto says “Labour will create a new Regulatory Innovation Office, bringing together existing functions across government. This office will help regulators update regulation, speed up approval timelines, and co-ordinate issues that span existing boundaries.” 

Labour's shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves indicated in the election campaign that chemicals regulations would be an area where an incoming Labour government would be amenable to discussion with the EU.

The purpose of the European Biosolutions Coalition is to highlight the importance of streamlining the regulatory framework for biosolutions, in the EU and member states. 

The BIA has coined the term ‘Deep Biotech’ to capture companies working in this biotech space. Read the report

Since its foundation in 1996 the BIA has been a member of EuropaBio, the European Association for Bioindustries, Europe's largest and most influential biotech industry group. BIA EuropaBio membership continues in harmony with our new membership of the biosolutions coalition.