The BIA’s new committee on Data, AI and genomics

In this blog, Dr Emma Lawrence, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager, BIA, shares more about the launch of our new inaugural Data, AI and Genomics Advisory Committee, a key initiative to support the growing techbio community in the UK.

On Monday 16 September, we held the inaugural Data, AI and Genomics Advisory Committee meeting at Victoria House in London. This is the consolidation of years of work from the BIA to build a strong genomics and techbio community. This new committee will be the voice of the most cutting-edge technologies in the life sciences today.

Speaking about the committee, the chair, Dr Steve Gardner, CEO of PrecisionLife said:

I’m delighted to launch this new BIA committee which will focus on the key enablers of precision and preventative medicine: functional genomics, health data and AI. Together this group of thought leaders are working at the cutting edge of innovation to support and shape the right policy environment for techbio in the UK.

The inaugural meeting featured a presentation by Adam Lewandowski, Deputy Chief Scientist, UK Biobank. Adam provided an update on recent data access policy changes and future projects on proteomics and brain health. It was a great opportunity for UK Biobank to hear the UK SME perspective.

We look forward to supporting UK Biobank with more information on industry’s perspective following this meeting.

The future focus of the group was then discussed. Key areas of activity will include data access, AI, and multi-omics in addition to precision medicine. These activities will build on the work the BIA has previously done to showcase genomics, champion data access and support innovation in AI. These were highlighted as key enablers of precision and preventative medicine, an important shift in healthcare. The committee were keen to collaborate with other BIA groups on topics such as access to medicines. The group will now develop a program of work to focus on for the next year.

We were particularly pleased to welcome Jiva.ai, Cardiatec and Isomorphic Labs to the committee.

Melissa Davis, Director of Computational Biology at Isomorphic Labs said:

I am delighted to join the BIA Committee on Data, AI and Genomics. We are all committed to driving innovation and setting our sector up for success. This committee will be a strong voice for our industry in the UK, strengthening the regulatory, policy and business environments that enable cutting-edge companies to thrive.

Following the meeting members enjoyed a celebratory drink in the lobby of Victoria House. We are really excited to be working with this dynamic group of innovators and look forward to the next meeting in December.

Contact Dr Emma Lawrence to find out more.