Overview

Biotechnology is the application of knowledge about living organisms, and their components, to industrial products and processes. The UK has companies actively developing and exploiting biotechnology across the whole breadth of its application: from pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, through speciality chemicals, food and agriculture, to the environment. The UK leads in Europe in the industrial exploitation of biotechnology.

The UK boasts an excellent science base, with favourable economic and political conditions, and a clear and fair regulatory regime. The UK currently has 395 specialist biotechnology companies, estimated to employ more than 18,700 people. A further 450 companies are involved in broader bioscience related activities.

  Government Sponsorship of the Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals Sector

Biotechnology

The Department of Trade and Industry’s objective is to increase competitiveness and scientific excellence in order to generate higher levels of sustainable growth and productivity in a modern economy.

The Bioscience Unit takes the lead role within the UK Government in championing the commercial exploitation of biotechnology by UK industry, working to ensure that government, European and international measures affecting UK biotechnology take full account of the implications for competitiveness. The Unit focuses on four key areas: research and development policy, and technology transfer; the regulatory environment and intellectual property rights; the financing and development of small firms; and competitiveness issues of the key biotechnology subsectors. The Unit’s Ibio website provides a range of information for the biotechnology sector.

For further information from the Bioscience Unit, please contact:

Bioscience Unit
Department of Trade and Industry
151 Buckingham Palace Road
London SW1W 9SS
Tel: 020 7215 5000
Fax: 020 7215 1379

For information and advice on Biotechnology related programmes and research from the Office of Science and Technology, please contact the following:

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Councils (BBSRC)
Tel: 01793 413200
Fax: 01793 413201

Medical Research Council (MRC)

Tel: 020 7636 5422
Fax: 020 7436 6179

Biosciences/Medical and Chemicals/Materials LINK Programme
Office of Science and Technology
link.ost@gtnet.gov.uk  

Helpline: 020 7215 0053 (Answerphone)
Fax: 020 7215 0054

Cross-Departmental Science Issues in Biotechnology and Health

Richard Pitts
Tel: 020 7215 3907

For information and advice on Biotechnology related programmes and research from the Department of Health, please contact the following:

Human Genetics
Tel: 020 7972 4017
Fax: 020 7972 4196

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
Tel: 020 7377 5077
Fax: 020 7377 1871

e-mail: admin@hfea.gov.uk

Vaccines
Tel: 020 7972 4488
Fax: 020 7972 4468

Novel Foods including
Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes Joint Food Standards and Safety Group
Tel: 020 7238 6380 / 020 7238 6381
Fax: 020 7238 6382

Research and Development Division
Tel: 020 7972 5612
Fax: 020 7972 5665

Medical Devices Agency
Tel: 020 7972 8123
Fax: 020 7972 8111

Pharmaceuticals
The Department of Health (DoH) is the sponsoring department for the pharmaceuticals industry. The DoH undertakes to: provide a point of contact which can be used to exchange information with industry, for consultation and negotiation; represent critically industries' view on both general and specific economic trade or other related issues such as research and education in the UK, European or international dimensions; and help to get any necessary regulation right and ensure that there is a proper balance between industry needs and public protection and health interests. The DoH works closely with the DTI and relevant trade associations.

For further information and advice please contact:

Pharmaceuticals
Department of Health
Tel: 020 7210 5356

Under an Act of Parliament in 2000, three bodies were set up to look at different aspects biotechnology and how it affects society and the environment. These bodies are:

Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission (AEBC)

The Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission was set up with a remit to provide the UK Government and Devolved Administrations with independent, strategic advice on developments in biotechnology and their implications for agriculture and the environment. It will look at the broad picture taking ethical and social issues into account as well as the science.

Tel: 020 7215 6508
Fax: 020 7215 0313
e-mail: aebc@dti.gsi.gov.uk

Human Genetics Commission (HGC)

The Human Genetics Commission advises on how new developments in human genetics will impact on people and health care.

Tel: 020 7972 1518
Fax: 020 7972 1717
E-mail: hgc@doh.gsi.gov.uk 

Foods Standards Agency

The Food Standards Agency is an independent food safety watchdog set up to protect the public's health and consumer interests in relation to food.

Tel: 020 7276 8000

e-mail: helpline@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk

 Schemes and Initiatives

Government Schemes and Initiatives

Detailed below are schemes and initiatives run by the Government in the Biotechnology sector:

i-bio 

Provides an easy way to access a wide range of information on UK biotechnology. Whatever you're looking for, this government-led site can provide you with a rapid and comprehensive breakdown of relevant material and where to find it.

UK Biotechnology Regulatory Atlas

The UK Biotechnology Regulatory Atlas is a rapid retrieval system, which complements i-bio - it has been modelled on the regulatory architecture of biotechnology, and, in addition to signposting laws and official guidance, provides explanations and commentaries, which are regularly updated.

BIO-WISE
Working in partnership with you, your business associations and the UK's biotechnology industry to show how biotechnology can improve your company's competitive position.

Biotechnology Clusters
A team led by Lord Sainsbury, Minister for Science, reporting on biotechnology clusters.

Biotechnology Mentoring and Incubator Challenge
The overall aim of the BMI is to stimulate the creation and growth of high quality biotechnology companies in the UK. The Challenge is supported by a fund of up to £5 million and currently supports 8 projects around Britain. (Closed to new projects)

Biotechnology Exploitation Platform Challenge
BEP Challenge aims to anchor the benefits of publicly funded bioscience research in the UK by encouraging syndicates of universities, academic institutions and intermediaries with complementary bioscience research to work together. (Closed to new projects)

Genome Valley
The economic potential and strategic importance of biotechnology in the UK.

LINK Scheme

The LINK scheme is the Government's principal mechanism for promoting partnership in pre-competitive research between industry and the research base. It aims to stimulate innovation, wealth creation and improve the quality of life. The scheme offers an opportunity to engage with some of the best and most creative minds in the country, to tackle new scientific and technological challenges so that industry can go on to develop innovative and commercially successful products, processes and services. LINK covers a wide range of technology and product areas from food and bio-sciences, through engineering to electronics and communications. Current biotech programmes are:

Sustainable Technologies Initiative LINK Programme - The overall aim of the programme is to support the development of new, more sustainable technologies to help UK business meet the sustainability challenge.  

Health Technology Devices Programme - This programme aims to stimulate and promote collaborative research aimed at the development of advanced technologies with potential, ultimately, to lead on to the development of new medical devices and healthcare technologies that are capable of exploitation by the healthcare industries yielding improved benefit to patients and a more robust UK medical devices sector.  

Bioremediation – The main aim of this programme is to help provide UK industry with the multidiscipliary capability necessary to enable the commercial application of bioscience for the clean-up of contaminated land, air and water.  

Applied Genomics - The main goal of this new LINK programme is to support the development of platform technologies that will enable UK healthcare companies to harness and exploit the output of genome sequencing projects and developments in genomics.  

Genetic and Environmental Interactions in Health - This LINK programme aims to develop collaborations between academia and industry in genetics, molecular/genetic epidemiology, pharmacogenetics and complementary disciplines and technologies.

Research Councils UK

Research Councils UK (RCUK) is a strategic partnership set up to champion science, engineering and technology supported by the seven UK Research Councils. Through RCUK, the Research Councils are working together to create a common framework for research, training and knowledge transfer. In doing this RCUK will work alongside OST to further support for the UK’s best academic researchers and deliver the best investment for society. 

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is the leading funding agency for academic research and training in the biosciences at universities and institutes throughout the UK.

Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (ESRC) 

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is the UK Government’s leading funding agency for research and training in engineering and the physical sciences.

They invest more than £400 million a year in world-class research that forms the basis for future economic development in the UK and leads to improvements in everyone’s health, personal well-being and lifestyle. EPSRC also actively promotes public awareness of science and engineering.

Medical Research Council (MRC)

The UK Medical Research Council (MRC) promotes research into all areas of medical and related science with the aims of improving the health and quality of life of the UK public and contributing to the wealth of the nation.

Natural Environment Council (NERC)

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) provides independent research and training in the environmental sciences. Their mission is to gather and apply knowledge, improve understanding and predict the behaviour of the natural environment and its resources.

REGIONAL INTIATIVES

Detailed below are regional schemes and initiatives in the Biotechnology sector:

Bioscience Yorkshire
Tel: 01904 435 104
Fax: 01904 435 135

Bioscience Yorkshire is the fast growing bioscience cluster being developed by Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency for Yorkshire & Humber, in conjunction with its partners across the region. The bioscience community here employs over 10,000 people, and this is predicted to grow by over 10% in the next five years. A significant proportion of this growth is predicted to be associated with small, entrepreneurial drug discovery & development companies and CROs (contract research organisations).

Significant strengths of the bioscience cluster include Plant Biotech; Tissue Engineering; Genomics; Contract Research; Bio-remediation; Bioinformatics and; Drug Discovery

For further information on our cluster strategy and how it may benefit your company, as well as links to centres of excellence and all of our sub-regional partners,including companies, please visit www.bioscience-yorkshire.com

Eastern Region Biotechnology Initiative (ERBI)
Tel: 01223 421 977
Fax: 01223 421 978

ERBI has been established to promote links between companies of all sizes involved in biotechnology in the East of England and to strengthen their links with the first class science base in the region. It will also build up the capabilities of new and embryonic firms.

New and emerging bioscience start-ups, suppliers and contractors are the intended target groups for the initiative, but the aim is also to involve and engage larger established firms as well as key service providers in financial, legal and management areas.

Oxfordshire BioScience Network 
Tel: 01865 483 449
Fax: 01865 484 478

The Oxfordshire Bioscience Network is a unique public-private partnership, managed by Oxford Brookes University, promoting biotechnology business and research enterprise across Oxfordshire.

The Network provides a range of services to facilitate networking and communication, providing a gateway service that partners industry, academia, and research service providers to ensure continued sector growth and sustainability.

Southern Bioscience (website: www.southern-bioscience.org.uk)
Tel: 01483 713 342
Fax: 01483 771 507

Southern Bioscience is a networking group for the Biotech sector based in the South of England. It represents a broad range of organisations within the Biotechnology sector whose focus is on high technology, science based products in the areas of pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, instrumentation, environmental, agriculture and food biotechnology.

Bionow

Tel: 01925 400 100

Fax: 01925 400 400

Bionow has been established to encourage and nurture this growth through creating an active, progressive community based on the region's academic success and strong presence of international pharmaceutical and biotech companies and supporting service companies.

London Biotechnology Network 

Tel:020 7665 1405

Fax: 020 7665 1501

The London Biotechnology Network is a regional support organisation, supported by London's science and business community through London First It was formed in response to the need for a co-ordinated approach to bioscience development in London.

It is the largest regional biotechnology organisation in the UK with some 550-member organisations. London's biotechnology sector is largely derived from the enormous amount of research activity centred around the large concentration of medical schools, teaching hospitals and medical research organisations. London is indisputably the financial capital of Europe and access to funding is a major attraction for biotechnology companies.

Biotechnology in the North West

Manchester Innovation Ltd (MIL)

Tel:    0161 606 7200

Fax:    0161 606 7300

e-mail : jan.hilton@maninv.com

MIL has offices in and manages its own purpose-built biotechnology incubator building.  Located in the heart of the growing biomedical corridor, the Manchester Incubator Building is viewed as a major component of the growing biotechnology cluster in the North West.  The Manchester Incubator Building, with 16 turnkey laboratories and full supporting infrastructure, is ideal for University spin-outs, external start-ups, and satellite units from pharmaceutical and healthcare companies.

Specialist staff in MIL have relevant commercial experience in marketing, licensing, patenting and finance. 

MIL also manages the Genetics Innovation Network (GIN): a HEIF funded project, and the 3Bs Project (Building Biotech Businesses) :  a BMI Challenge project.

MIL is wholly owned by the University of Manchester and aims to commercialise the outputs of research from all departments of The University.  

Specific Export Help for the Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals Sector

UK Trade & Investment UK
UK Trade & Investment is the Government Organisation that brings together the work of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) in support of British trade and investment overseas.

Other Sector Contacts

Listed below is a selection of organisations that can offer assistance to companies in this sector.
A more extensive list of Trade Associations in this sector can be found at the Trade Association Forum web site.

Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI)
Tel: 020 7930 3477
Fax: 020 7747 1416

BioIndustry Association (BIA)
Tel: 020 7565 7190
Fax: 020 7565 7191

British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA)
Tel: 020 7957 4633
Fax: 0171 957 4644
E-mail: bivda@compuserve.com

Cranfield Biotechnology Centre
Tel: 01234 754339
Fax: 01234 752401

The National Pharmaceutical Association (NPA)
Tel: 01727 832161
Fax: 01727 840858

National Prescribing Centre
Tel: 0151 794 8134
Fax: 0151 794 8139 / 8144

PharMed
Tel: 01527 592880
Fax: 01527 592881

Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Tel: 020 7735 9141
Fax: 020 7735 7629
e-mail: enquiries@rpsgb.org.uk

General Business Support, Schemes and Initiatives

DTI Business Support
This page lists many of the initiatives that the DTI and other parts of Government currently operate. Included on this page are links with various support schemes and initiatives.

DTI Information Age
This page lists many of the initiatives that the DTI and other parts of Government currently operate. Included on this page are links with schemes and initiatives offering guidance and advice relating to new technology and fast access to information.

DTI International Trade and Investment
This page offers a comprehensive menu of links to sites offering support to exporters (through UK Trade & Investment), investors in the UK and importers into the UK.

Companies House
From this site, you can link to a wide range of Government sites and Professional Bodies that can provide general guidance and support for all UK companies.

The Trade Association Forum
The Trade Association Forum helps associations to deliver best practice to members.

Small Business Service
The Small Business Service operate a number of schemes and initiatives that are designed to help small businesses in a variety of ways. Further information found on their website.

Regulatory Guidance

The UK Biotechnology Regulatory Atlas is modelled on the regulatory architecture of biotechnology, and, in addition to signposting laws and official guidance, provides explanations and commentaries.

DTI Regulatory Guidance provides general guidance from the DTI and also links to other relevant DTI web pages.

The Direct Access Government website provides guidance issued by other Government Departments.