Nordic Life Science 1
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS ane Osbourn, chair of the UK’s B
IA agreed, adding that studying the transformation from a person’s healthy to disease state will be crucial: “The UK’s Biobank has had initial success in this area and the missing part of jigsaw is now to engage earlier with wellperps (her term) and gather data earlier.” Finally, in a neat full circle to Pam’s opening remark, Paul Stoffels of J&J stressed that it was not all about biologics and since access to them was currently restricted to only the richest societies, the industry also must retain small molecules and stay relevant for the world. Despite my best efforts, I only managed a couple of other therapeutic area sessions, but can confirm they were equally challenging. Overall, I hope BIO-Europe continues to invest in the programme – that industry publications such as Biocentury, Scrip, Bioworld, Fierce and others continue to flourish is a sure sign that there is an appetite for informed comment and analysis. Good panels, fireside chats and keynotes at conferences provide the perfect complement. Furthermore, compared to other industries I’ve worked in, we do have a wealth of people prepared to share their experience and insights honestly and modestly. I also believe exhibits play an important role. Walking the halls, I got a real feel for the global nature of biotech and opportunities on offer – from new precision medicine players close to home such as Lithuania to the growing attraction of Australia for clinical trials from the increasing influence of Asia to the continued attraction of the US. Lithuania is starting to reap the benefits of a concerted promotional drive over the last five years, according to Monika Glinskyte. “We have had to explain the backstory of why Lithuania, referring back to the Soviet heritage of biotech and medtech research, but now have a strong group of international companies such as ThermoFisher, Hollister, Teva and MOOG to complement our research base. This in turn has already led to a flourishing crop of eight start-ups. Now we believe we are on the global biotech map and being here has been integral to that success.” Australia was represented by a State of Victoria booth because as assistant trade and investment manager Ellen Walsh explains Melbourne is a major life sciences hub with over seven universities including Monash. “The key attraction we believe is how easy it is do clinical trials – on average three months with no review to set up and coming some 60% cheaper than US at current dollar rate. We’ve been getting customers from all over – the US, Korea, Europe, India – and the trend has continued here.”