The region’s biotechnology cluster continues to act as a magnet for new inquiries from overseas investors – and trigger fresh export success for the UK.
East of England International has specialists in charge of both elements of this two-way strategy – inward investment and overseas trade.
Nicola Rogers took on the role as dedicated inward investment lead for Life Sciences at EEI 10 months ago. This involves handling all international enquiries, inward delegations and hosting partnering missions from the various British Embassies and Consulates.
She works closely with Chris Ilsley, who looks after regional companies looking to enter new markets overseas. They work together with network groups such as ERBI, IRC, i10 and Cambridge Network to identify appropriate companies for potential collaborations and to showcase the region’s expertise.
On the inward investment side, Nicola reports that the number of enquiries for Life Sciences is very positive: “I’m excited to be able to work on such a diverse portfolio of companies and introduce the astounding scientific capabilities of the region,” she says.
“Each proposal can vary in its complexity and is often required in very short timescales. So when we submit detailed therapeutic research, it’s thanks to our research team and the tremendous support from regional stakeholders that we can provide a comprehensive offering.”
The enquiries come from a broad geographic mix. Nicola says: “North America is naturally a core focus for us and much of our activity is centred around the East, West Coast and Canadian Life Sciences clusters. My current projects are mainly from the US but I’m also working with customers from Taiwan, Japan, India, through to the Nordics and Scandics.
“The attractiveness for companies and benefits for them investing, in whatever form this may take, is the people.
“ It never ceases to amaze me to see the level of innovation and creativity happening across the region.
“For a company coming in, knowing they can move into one of the science or business parks and be embedded amongst global brand names; recruit first-class teams and have the tremendous support of the networks to get the business up and running in a short space of time, makes the decision that much easier.
“Our targeted approach, together with the start of a dedicated Life Sciences communications plan, are already seeing dividends.
“I’ve had numerous requests from international audiences to visit the region for partnering opportunities across biotech, e-health and a dedicated US Life Sciences press tour, so we’ll be busy approaching companies to take part in each of those.”
Chris Ilsley will also be globetrotting this year as he promotes East of England biotechnology to a worldwide audience.
Local biotechs are invited to take advantage of UKTI’s showcase at Bio 2008 in San Diego in June. Chris will also be happy to set up meetings for East of England companies attending Bio with international contemporaries attending.
An exciting mission for Japan is planned for September-October time. Japanese pharma is having a major influence on this region with Sosei and Takeda having made acquisitions followed up by substantial investment in Cambridge cluster biotechs.
Ilsley believes many more collaborations could be secured through building an even closer long-term relationship between this region and Japan.
More partnerships with Chinese TCM companies also looks certain following Xiangxue’s recent commitment to a Cambridge base.
There are also further trade opportunities closer to home. France has a burgeoning biotech cluster and has made it clear that it wants to engage with the East of England more profoundly this year through several initiatives.
EEI‘s mission to leverage more Life Sciences trade & investment for the region has clearly been bolstered by the Government’s new marketing strategy for promoting the UK’s expertise in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.
This new strategy is about bringing together Government and business to give the UK’s Life Science sectors the loudest possible voice on the world stage, Lord Digby Jones said at the launch of the initiative.
He said: “A global centre of Life Science creativity, the UK punches well above its weight in these sectors. In investment terms, we lead in Europe and we are second only to the US. The pharmaceutical industry alone contributed over £12billion to UK exports in 2006.
“But to stay ahead we need to exploit the opportunities that new technologies are offering. Global competition in the Life Science sectors is intense and growing and we need to ensure we are among the first to make in-roads into emerging markets like China and India.
“This new marketing strategy is a catalyst for selling and promoting the UK Life Science sectors in a new and exciting way to a global audience. It has been created with full industry involvement and its implementation will continue to involve strong business support and direction.
“By working together we hope to create an exciting and inspiring platform for the Life Science industries – one which is coherent, professional and joined up.’’
News 
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Delicious
Digg
NewsVine
Reddit
Technorati