Welcome to the Media Centre

The BIA Media Centre is a resource space for journalists and members of the press who are looking for information and experts on key issues within the UK biotech and life sciences sector.

The BioIndustry Association (BIA) is the voice of the innovative life sciences and biotech industry, enabling and connecting the UK ecosystem so that businesses can start, grow and deliver world-changing innovation. We work with our members and partners to champion innovation, attract and develop talent, drive investment, build global partnerships, influence policy, and engage the ecosystem.

In this Media Centre, you will find:

  • Press releases and statements on the latest news and developments in the UK biotech and life sciences sector.
  • Backgrounders on key issues, such as regulation, funding and intellectual property.
  • Experts for interviews on a range of topics.
  • A calendar of events, including industry conferences and trade shows.

  • The UK accounts for 35% of all life science start-ups created in Europe since 2012, according to data published by McKinsey.
  • Government figures show there are over 6,548 businesses in the UK life sciences industry, and approximately 70-80% are small and medium-sized enterprises. These businesses employ over 282,000 people and generated £94.2 billion of turnover in 2021. The number of businesses and the number of sites operated by these businesses have both seen an upward trend since 2009, with 23% more businesses and 32% more sites operating across the UK in 2021 compared to 2009.
  • Investment in UK life science start-ups and scale-ups as risen from £261 million in 2012 to £1.8 billion in 2022, but fluctuates significantly depending on global macro-economic factors. More UK-based investment is required to complement overseas capital.   
  • Medical innovation is driven by smaller companies, which represent 65% of the global drug development pipeline with an additional 7% being developed by them in partnership with larger firms, according to data published by IQVIA.

BIA was founded in 1989 and has over 500 members, including start-ups, SMEs, pharmaceutical companies, universities and charities. We are headquartered in Bloomsbury, London and are the leading voice in the UK life sciences sector, regularly consulted by the government on key policy issues.

About the BioIndustry Association (BIA)

The BioIndustry Association (BIA) is the voice of the innovative life sciences and biotech industry, enabling and connecting the UK ecosystem so that businesses can start, grow and deliver world-changing innovation.

Helping biotech and life sciences sector to influence, connect and save.  www.bioindustry.org

 

 Latest press releases

 

BIA joins European Biosolutions Coalition

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.

New boost for TechBio companies seeking investment

The Francis Crick Institute’s start-up accelerator KQ Labs and the UK Bioindustry Association (BIA) have launched a new programme to support growing companies working at the interface of biology and data technologies.

State of the Discovery Nation report reveals the extent of sector's perfect storm

New report 'State of the Discovery Nation: Fostering a Dynamic, Sustainable Medicines Discovery Sector’ says the sector must work together to de-risk funding in medicines discovery and attract more investors.

BIA teams up with top UK engineering biology stakeholders to champion the UK at SynBioBeta 2024

BIA is gearing up for a prominent presence at SynBioBeta 2024, the world's leading conference for engineering biology. The BIA is leading a coalition of UK stakeholders to showcase the dynamism and innovation of the UK's engineering biology companies from 6-9 May in San Jose, California.

Post-Brexit border paperwork and inspections postponed for life sciences sector

Importers of laboratory reagents and materials used in the manufacture of medicines in the UK’s life sciences sector have been given a six-month extension to make the necessary changes to their supply chains for new post-Brexit border paperwork and border inspections.

BIA responds to Spring Budget 2024: highlights for UK life sciences

Three highlights for UK life sciences: first, the new expert advisory panel for the HMRC is a smart way to maximise the efficiency of R&D tax relief support for life science innovators; secondly, Alan Marchington’s ICG winning the LIFTs scheme shows real movement to unlock pension funds for life sciences; thirdly, AstraZeneca’s investment in next-generation manufacturing in Speke and Cambridge shows the strength of our ecosystem.

Resources and reports 

BIA webinar recording: The General Election

The UK general election has been called for Thursday 4 July. As parliament shuts down and the government goes quiet, each party will set out its economic vision for the country.

BIA and RNID webinar recording: Preparing for clinical trials in a novel therapeutic area

Join Mehul Patel and the panel on case studies of their experiences in novel hearing loss clinical trials.

 

Upcoming events 
Event listing image Glasgow Reg 2024.png

BIA regional focus: Glasgow

Technology and Innovation Centre
The New Government Webinar event listing card.png

BIA Webinar: The new Government

Online
Summer party 2024 - website event listing banner (002).png

BIA Summer Party 2024

The Langham Hotel, London
WiB Manchester Website Listing Image 2024.png

Women in Biotech - Manchester

KPMG Manchester