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How the BIO International Convention allows the United Kingdom to show it's open for business
The annual BIO International conference is large. Very large, with around 20,000 leaders from the global biotech ecosystem in attendance. So it's no surprise that for years, the UK's Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and its partner, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, have hosted a UK Pavilion featuring UK innovators in the biotech industry, research and development.
"BIO is a big conference; it's important for us to be there to show the UK is open for business as every country you can think of is represented,' says Karl Davison, senior business development manager at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), one of the organizations on the UK Pavillion.
The UK Pavilion isn't just open for business. It's a one-stop shop, making it as easy as possible for potential U.S. and global partners to make fruitful UK connections and gain insight across UK biotech's broad ecosystem of innovation and resources.
"Our collaboration with the DBT on the UK Pavilion is central to our global engagement strategy,' says James Richards, Ph.D., NIHR's head of business development. 'It allows international companies to access a uniquely streamlined experience: in a single, highly productive meeting, they can speak to UK experts on regulation, life sciences policy, how to set up a commercial base in the UK — and with the NIHR about our world-class research infrastructure. Together, we can provide a comprehensive introduction to the UK's life sciences ecosystem."
Making connections
Since 2015, 39 export partnerships, totalling nearly $300 million, have resulted from DBT support at the yearly BIO Conference. So, companies like hVIVO, a full-service Contract Research Organization and a global leader in human challenge trials, will be returning to the UK Pavilion with DBT, as will Merxin Ltd, a UK biotech research company specializing in dry powder and soft mist inhalers.
"We had an extraordinary run last year at BIO International in San Diego," says Philippe Rogueda, chief business officer and chief operating officer at Merxin Ltd. "BIO is one of the most exciting events for new molecule therapies investment in North America, probably in the world. We met about 250 people and had 40 arranged meetings with a range of companies, which were in different stages of clinical development, as well as investors. Being part of the UK Pavilion with the UK Department of Business and Trade is great; there is a real benefit to having a physical presence at BIO."
William Ward, business development manager at Merxin Ltd, adds: "You get the chance to meet some of these really innovative, emerging biotechs as well as big pharmas at BIO, and the risk appetite is there. Last year, we had several conversations with companies who maybe hadn't considered inhalation as their typical route of administration but were very keen to understand how they could utilize Merxin's devices to advance their therapies. That type of mindset and innovation is where some great partnerships can be formed."
The benefits go both ways. "The ability to have face-to-face conversations makes for an impactful conference,' says Davison. 'Sometimes companies don't realize how much we can do to support them and, if we can provide them with a golden nugget of information, it makes the UK a stronger prospect for their next clinical trial."
The UK-U.S. partnership: Greater together
With its world-leading research institutions, innovative biotech companies, and commitment to science and technology advancement, the UK has a strong offer, including:
The UK tech sector is one of only three nations valued at over $1 trillion, making it the third largest tech ecosystem in the world behind only the U.S. and China
In 2023, UK startups raised the most venture capital in Europe
The UK is home to four of the top 10 global universities for life sciences and medicine and leverages the expertise of the National Health Service (NHS), which offers an unmatched wealth of health data for innovative research
The UK ranks third globally for elite artificial intelligence (AI) talent, number of AI startups, inward investment into AI and government readiness for AI adoption — with a sector valued at $92 billion.
As global leaders in science and technology, the U.S. and UK make natural partners in R&D. In fact, more than 10% of U.S. foreign R&D investment goes into the UK, the largest share of any country where U.S. businesses invest in research and innovation.
And following the landmark economic deal between the U.S. and UK earlier this year, the UK is working toward building a broad and deep a UK-U.S. science and technology partnership through which these science-rich nations will collaborate in biotech and life sciences, as well as quantum computing, nuclear fusion, and aerospace.
If you're a U.S. investor or company that would like to learn more about how partnering with UK biotech can grow your business, stop by the UK Pavilion at BIO (Hall A, stand 765), or contact a DBT sector specialist near you who can connect you with UK suppliers and investment opportunities. Email us to learn more.
The UK's Department for Business and Trade is an economic growth department. We ensure fair, competitive markets at home, secure access to new markets abroad, and support businesses to invest, export, and grow. Our priorities are the Industrial Strategy, Make Work Pay, the Trade Strategy and the Plan for Small Business.
