A group of leading Cambridge biotech entrepreneurs and investors have co-authored a letter in today’s Times with colleagues to highlight the promising future for their industry in the UK.

They praise the government for its support and welcome last week’s Budget incentives for investment, including tax breaks for scientific spin-outs and start-ups. But, like biotech entrepreneur Sir Christopher Evans, comment on the challenges within our regulatory processes, though firmly believe the atmosphere in the life sciences sector is much more positive than many have been led to believe.

One of the co-signatures is Dr Andy Richards, chairman of Abcodia, an innovative molecular diagnostics company I work with which has exclusive IP commercialisation rights to a biobank at UCL with 5 million serum samples.

Here is the letter:

Life sciences

Sir, As innovators, entrepreneurs and investors in the life sciences we welcome the Government’s support for this high-growth sector. Our industry comprises more than 5,000 companies employing more than 70,000 people and with a combined value of more than £50 billion in market cap. We believe the UK has the research base, entrepreneurial skills and venture finance necessary to be a leading hub of global biomedicine. Many of the world’s drugs, devices and diagnostics have been discovered here.
However, the growing time, cost and regulatory burden on developing new drugs are big challenges. For our companies to continue to invest in the UK we need sustained state investment in basic science, well-funded universities, strong infrastructure and an NHS open to supporting research and buying innovative treatments. Fortunately, that is exactly what this Government has committed to.
Some talk as if the UK’s bio-pharma sector is in decline. It is not. Increasing investor confidence and well-informed government policies are combining to boost growth. The comprehensive Life Sciences Strategy and NHS reforms, the introduction of the Patent Box to support UK intellectual property and a £180 million Biomedical Catalyst Fund represent real commitment.
Implementing the policies is of course vital, but these policies, with last week’s Budget incentives for investment including tax breaks for scientific spin-outs, start-ups, EIS investors as well as a reduction in Corporation Tax and the 50p tax rate, are having a positive impact on investment and growth.
Last week GSK announced a £500 million investment in the UK in advanced biomedical manufacturing. Four major new venture funds investing in UK life science companies were also launched last month. These announcements are fantastic news for the UK and are driven in no small part by signs of long-term government commitment. We hope this is just the beginning.
Chris Brinsmead and 
Don Cowling, Merck Serono

Tim Edwards, Cellzome

Dr Jonathan Milner, Abcam

Kate Bingham, SV Life Sciences

Hermann Hauser, Amadeus Capital Partners

Dr Andy Richards, Abcodia, Altacor, Ixico  and Novacta

Clive Dix, Crescendo, Convergence

Glyn Edwards,BIA

Professor S. P. Jackson, Mission Therapeutics

Kevin Johnson, Index Venture Management

John Brown