What is TechBio?
The life sciences sector is evolving. Biotech companies are using cutting-edge techniques from data-driven tech and AI to transform drug discovery and patient care. We call this interface of biology and technology 'TechBio'.
These companies combine insights from both sectors to draw from a wealth of data, including clinical, genomic and molecular. Their innovations will allow the healthcare system to deliver personalised healthcare to more patients, more quickly, and at a lower cost.
The UK is uniquely placed to harness this combination of strengths in technology and the life sciences; join us as we lead the techbio policy revolution.
TechBio policy priority: access to data
Given its central importance to TechBio companies, data access is a key policy priority for the BIA. We’re focusing on the governance and contracting associated with data access, as well as the technical side of data standards and environments. Read our recent policy work in this space:
Health impacts of data access
The aim of analysing health data is to improve our health and well-being. Data collected for a variety of reasons, including during routine care, can be used again for research and innovation. Industry plays a key part in medical research; discovering new treatments and ways to diagnose disease. Innovators in the industry must adhere to high standards of ethical and legal governance as well as data protection in order to access health data. We are showcasing the impact of health data access through our industry case studies. These examples outline health benefits made possible through industry accessing health data.
Data, AI and Genomics Advisory Committee (DAGAC)
The BIA’s Data, AI and Genomics Advisory Committee (DAGAC) leads the BIA’s techbio policy development, drawing on the expertise and experience of thought leaders from across technology in life sciences. The committee helps shape the regulatory, policy and business environment for this vital subsector, seeking to make the UK the best place to start and scale Techbio companies, by improving the landscape for data, AI, genomics and precision medicine.
The committee's policy priorities are to ensure that the UK has the best environment for precision and preventative medicine. This includes focusing on the key pillars of health data, Artificial intelligence and functional genomics. The committee works with key stakeholders to improve the process of applying for and accessing health data in the UK. It champions the transformative potential of functional genomics and monitors the regulation of AI to ensure it doesn’t stifle innovation. Finally, the group works the BIA’s rare disease industry group to improve the precision and preventative medicine landscape in the UK.
Chair and Vice Chair
Steve Gardner
Steve is a serial technology entrepreneur with over 30 years’ experience developing and commercializing ground-breaking data science and informatics in the healthcare, life sciences and agri-food sectors. Never afraid to innovate, Steve has an established track record in building world-class companies, teams and products working at senior levels in the UK, EU and US for Fortune 500 and start-up companies. He is a former Global Director of Research Informatics for Astra A/B and has consulted with drug discovery and safety teams in over 20 biopharma companies.
Danuta Jeziorska
Danuta is a deep tech entrepreneur and CEO & Co-Founder of Nucleome Therapeutics, with more than 16 years of experience working in the field, Danuta has deep expertise in gene regulation, transcription, epigenetics, 3D genome analysis and bioinformatics. In acknowledgement of her achievements at Nucleome, Danuta was recently recognised as an outstanding leader in the biotech sector by leading scientific journal Nature Biotechnology. She currently sits on the BIA’s Genomics Advisory Committee, holds an Honorary position at the University of Oxford, has a PhD in Systems Biology and a BSc in Biotechnology. Prior to Nucleome she founded Innovation Forum Oxford, for which she was recognised as one of the top Movers and Shakers in BioBusiness in 2018.
Committee members
Upcoming TechBio events
TechBio resources
We have published three TechBio reports:
TechBio: Transforming drug discovery and patient care
TechBio explainer booklet gives an introduction to the exciting BIA member companies that are working at the interface of biotechnology and technology and shows how data-driven life sciences are making an impact on drug discovery and patient care.
TechBio 2.0: Unlocking data, transforming biology
Explore the next generation of data-driven life science companies that use cutting-edge technologies such as machine learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform drug discovery and deliver better outcomes for patients.
TechBio 2023: UK driving the AI revolution
The latest report highlighting the thriving UK TechBio sector, with a growing number of companies pioneering groundbreaking products and services, seamlessly integrating biotechnology and technology.