Blogs

Amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, the UK life sciences ecosystem is keeping calm and carrying on.

In this blog, Dr Emma Lawrence, Head of data tech policy and public affairs at BIA, writes about the UK government's recent £600 million initiative to launch a Health Data Research Service which aims to revolutionize access to NHS data and tackle longstanding governance and technical hurdles.

Change is happening fast for our sector at the moment, and I expect to see big calls from the UK government as it responds to global events this week.

Andrew Merrison from FI Group shares his knowledge about the new rule changes HMRC has put in place concerning overseas costs about biotech.

Will James and Robyn Trigg from Osborne Clarke look at how the UPC's practice and procedure has developed since it began operations in June 2023.

President Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement on April 2 could disrupt biotech, with BIO’s survey showing 90% of U.S. biotech firms relying on imports for FDA-approved products. In addition, news from the mRNA vaccine progress, new lab spaces and Innovate UK’s new leadership.

In this blog, BIA member Brainomix, following its series C round, answers questions on the company's origins and future trajectory.

It’s Spring Statement week and we have a webinar on what it means for the sector this Friday; also in this blog - why VPAG needs sorting and a new Series C raise for a BIA member, Brainomix.

Emerson partners with biopharmaceutical companies to drive innovation, efficiency, and compliance in life sciences manufacturing through cutting-edge automation and process expertise.

In this blog, BIA CEO Steve Bates OBE gives his take on the announcement that the UK government is consulting on introducing a new law to raise the Statutory Scheme payment rate for newer branded medicines from 15.5% to 32.2% of subject companies' NHS sales revenues in the second half of 2025.

Following a number of ‘firsts’ for Stablepharma during 2024, we spoke with Ozgur Tuncer, CEO and Executive Director about a year that has accelerated the commercialisation of the world’s first fridge-free vaccine, SPVX02, for the prevention of Tetanus and Diphtheria.

A big raise as next generation biotech leaders gather, NHS England is abolished, and global trade disputes touch on our industry.

On 6 March 2025, just ahead of International Women’s Day, the BioIndustry Association (BIA) hosted the Women in Biotech Cambridge event—a vibrant gathering of trailblazing women shaping the life sciences landscape.

This week, BIA was invited by the Foreign Secretary to represent UK life sciences in Japan. In Parliament, we're championing a robust industrial strategy. Our new report provides the data and real life experience on womens’ leadership in our sector, while a former Board BIA member joins Duran Duran (sort of).

Last week was a big one for UK life sciences, from the BIA Committee Summit shaping our sector’s future to major leadership changes at UKRI and NHS England. In this week’s update, I explore what these developments mean for our industry, alongside breakthroughs in AI, investment, and accessibility in healthcare.

In this blog, Albert Maguire - King, Media and Communications Executive at the BIA, outlines how the #BIGIMPACT campaign is utilising AI, data science, and tech talent to drive breakthroughs in biotech—ensuring the UK remains at the cutting edge of healthcare and scientific progress.

Rare Disease Day marks an important occasion to raise awareness of rare diseases and the need for action to support people and families living with these conditions.

In this week’s blog, HM Treasury considers ISA changes to enable tax support for growth, a new engineering biology regulatory group gives the UK a strategic edge and a key MHRA webinar on ILAP is upcoming.

David Cooper, UK Project Pursuit at new BIA member Emerson, answers questions about the company.

Dr Danuta Jeziorska outlines that the UK has a unique opportunity to lead in genomics and AI-driven precision medicine, but a critical early-stage funding gap—particularly for drug target discovery companies—threatens its global competitiveness.