Influencing and shaping our sector | BIA update: July - October 2020

The BioIndustry Association (BIA)’s ongoing engagement enables our members’ voices to be heard at the highest levels. This quarterly update gives an overview of key policy developments and the BIA’s continued engagement with policymakers, regulatory authorities and wider stakeholders on behalf of the UK life sciences sector, from July to October 2020.

COVID-19 has continued to dominate the BIA’s influence activities in the third quarter of 2020 through our work with the Government’s Vaccine Taskforce, regulators and industry partners. The pandemic has put the life sciences sector into sharp focus and BIA data reveals that UK biotech has raised a record £1 billion in equity finance this quarter. To encourage more generalist investors to invest in the sector, we have published a report to help demystify biotech and inspire investors to look more deeply at the opportunity the sector offers. As many parts of the economy are struggling, we are making the case for increased public investment in the sector ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review.