7 February 2024

Deep Biotech will deliver a more sustainable future, and BIA is its new voice

The BioIndustry Association (BIA) today unveils its groundbreaking report, "Deep Biotech: Disruptive innovation for global sustainability", marking a defining moment in the UK’s science superpower ambitions. This comprehensive report not only sheds light on Deep Biotech's transformative potential but also positions the BIA as the leading voice representing innovative start-ups, scale-ups and established companies working in Deep Biotech.

Deep Biotech encompasses innovative companies harnessing the power of engineering biology to tackle humanity's most pressing challenges, from environmental pollution to climate change. From cultivating meat without animals to crafting bio-based materials that replace harmful plastics, Deep Biotech offers a sustainable roadmap for a greener future.

"We're not simply witnessing a biotech boom benefitting healthcare in the UK, the impact of this cutting-edge science runs much deeper" emphasises Steve Bates OBE, CEO of the BIA. "We're on the cusp of a biorevolution powered by Deep Biotech, and the BIA is at the forefront, as a key player in shaping the future of Deep Biotech and championing its disruptive potential."

The BIA's Deep Biotech report serves as an invaluable new resource for companies and policymakers, delving into:

The revolutionary power of Deep Biotech: Unlocking its transformative applications improving sustainability across various sectors, from energy and materials to food and the environment.
Inspiring case studies:  Highlighting cutting-edge companies pioneering Deep Biotech solutions, from sustainable biofuels to lab-grown meat, including Moa Technology, Solena Materials, Phycobloom, Quest Meat and Epoch Biodesign.
Challenges and opportunities: Addressing the regulatory, economic, and public acceptance hurdles Deep Biotech faces and outlining defining priorities and directions of its development to overcome them.

"This report is a call to action," declares Bates. "We invite policymakers, investors, and the public to join us in harnessing the immense power of Deep Biotech. Together, we can build a more sustainable, healthier future for generations to come."

Andrew Griffith, UK Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, said:

“Protecting our environment is one of the most significant challenges that we face today. This report highlights the promising solutions that biotech offers, from converting waste into useful fuel to replacing plastics with bio-based degradable materials.

“The UK Government is backing our life sciences entrepreneurs who are working to make these solutions a reality, and through our engineering biology vision, we are supporting world-class research and development that will lead us to a more sustainable future.”

The BIA is committed to nurturing the Deep Biotech ecosystem. Through thought leadership, advocacy, and industry events, the BIA will deliver new programmes of work in 2024 to empower Deep Biotech companies to thrive and scale, paving the way for a bio-powered future.

Read the 'Deep Biotech: Disruptive innovation for global sustainability' report at deepbiotech.org