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10 November 2017Biotechnology

LSIPR 50 2017: Steve Bates—Dreaming big for UK bioscience

From working as senior director at Genzyme to advising the UK government, Steve Bates has had a varied career, and he’s certainly no stranger to influencing public policy.

Since 2012, he’s settled into the role of CEO of the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA), a trade body founded more than 20 years ago at the infancy of biotechnology.

Bates has been involved in major BIA campaigns for improved access to finance, the extension of the UK Biomedical Catalyst (BMC), anti-microbial resistance and the opportunity the sector presents to long-term investors.

“The BIA was instrumental in securing the launch of the BMC and has made its continuation a key campaign focus since 2013,” explains Bates.

The BMC, a government-supported scheme, provides grants at varying stages of technical and commercial development of healthcare technologies, to ensure that emerging disruptive technologies in disease prevention, earlier diagnosis and tailored treatments are delivered to market, according to the UK government.

Bates adds that he was delighted when the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, announced in October last year that the scheme was to be extended for four years with £100 million ($124 million) of funding.

“The bioscience sector requires a sustained funding ladder where promising innovations and companies have the most optimal environment from start-up to liquidity,” says Bates, adding that the BMC scheme has proved to be an integral rung on that ladder.

Consistent campaigning by the BIA and its members ensured that this key source of early-stage funding for UK bioscience companies will continue to support the “development of new life-changing medical treatments, diagnostics and devices, and underpin economic growth for the future”.

Wider view

As CEO, Bates represent the interests of the BIA’s members and the broader sector, working closely with government at both the UK and European levels, to improve policies, funding and taxation.

Bates has previously worked in biotech—as senior director at Genzyme UK and Ireland—and at the highest levels of UK government, as special adviser to former UK Home Secretary John Reid during his time in then Prime Minister Tony Blair’s government for more than 15 years.

But why did Bates join the biotech industry in the first place?

“The chance to combine a sector I am passionate about with my skillset in advocacy and policy was a great fit for me, especially when given the chance to lead and build a great team,” he answers.

His inspiration was Paul Drayson, who was a junior minister in the Ministry of Defence, and to whom Bates was a special adviser.

Drayson was minister of science in the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills until May 2010.

“He is an inspirational leader and was a great science minister. All my chairs at the BIA—Tim Edwards, Ed Hodgkin and Jane Osbourn—have provided great counsel and advice,” he adds.

Bates is also a founding member of United Life Sciences (ULS), a strategic partnership representing more than 1,000 life sciences and healthcare member companies across the UK and internationally.

The ULS collaboration prioritises its members and the wider UK life sciences sector, according to Bates.

Between 2012 and 2014, ULS worked informally on a range of activities, including the creation and publication of a UK life sciences manifesto.

A changing landscape

The year 2016 was one of major political changes with the UK’s vote to leave the EU and the appointment of Donald Trump as US president. But there is plenty more to come in 2017.

Brexit creates opportunities and challenges for the UK such as “funding science and innovation, the interoperability of international regulation, and the attractiveness of the UK for global talent”, says Bates.

The BIA is working with the UK government to address these key issues, emphasising the importance of minimising “disruption” to existing regulation where this would have an impact on patients’ access to new medicines.

Also on the agenda are safeguarding patient safety and public health, and promoting
the attractiveness of the UK as a global life sciences hub.

The BIA represents more than 300 organisations: start-ups, emerging and more established companies; academic, research and philanthropic organisations; and service providers to the bioscience sector.

"the BIA is ready to support and steer its members and the wider UK life sciences system in a post-Brexit world."

“Engagement with our membership is key,” says Bates. “Having access to this wealth of expertise and experience is vital to understanding the key issues facing UK companies.”

Acting as a conduit between industry and government, the association ensures that industry expertise is made available to help shape UK policy.

Although no-one is sure what the impact of Brexit will be, the BIA is ready to support and steer its members and the wider UK life sciences system in a post-Brexit world.

Bates says: “We are already engaged in the government’s industrial strategy through our work with the life sciences group chaired by Sir John Bell, and creating a sector deal is a real opportunity to achieve the BIA’s vision for the UK to become home to the third biggest global biotech cluster by 2025.”

He adds that the industrial strategy should capitalise on the UK’s strong fundamentals that underpin the BIA’s vision.

This should help attract investment to the UK, stimulate the growth of the domestic industry, deliver effective and efficient healthcare for future generations, and demonstrate that the UK is open for business.

For the future, Bates’ personal aim is to support the UK to build on its existing success.

“The UK biotech sector is already the clear leader in Europe, with the foundations and the ambition to establish itself as the third global biotech cluster in the coming years,” he claims.

“I’d love to see a couple of BIA member companies grow to be leading global players in the next few years and see their research transform health outcomes in the decade ahead.”