buylotrogold

DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY P/98/521                                               30 June 1998 MANUFACTURING BOOST FOR UK'S BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES A new initiative to highlight the opportunity and strategic importance of manufacturing for UK  biotechnology industries was launched today by John Battle, Minister for Science, Energy and Industry. Mr Battle said the UK biotechnology industry, with estimated sales of some #4 billion, was at a cross roads. He said: The UK's current European lead in biotechnology is built upon scientific and technological  excellence, from the pioneering work establishing the structure of DNA - the foundation of  modern biotechnology - to the development of new therapeutic treatments for conditions such  as cystic fibrosis and Parkinson's disease.  I want to see that lead sustained and extended by  building a strong UK manufacturing _base_ in biotechnology. Through the launch of the Manufacturing for Biotechnology (Mf initiative I am determined  that we should help biotechnology companies make the most of their manufacturing potential. Biotechnology SMEs are a key source of competitive advantage.  The UK has some 250 such firms (a quarter of the European total) with particular strengths in biopharmaceuticals. But  industry is in a state of transition. Over the next few years the first successful biotechnology products will reach the market. The challenge facing these companies is how to maximise the benefits of years spent in the  R&D phase of their evolution and prepare the ground for the UK to develop a presence in the  market for biotechnology manufacturing. But despite the significance of these challenges, biotechnology SMEs in general are not well prepared. The current low level of awareness could leave companies vulnerable in a number of fast moving areas such as regulatory compliance, cost containment and new manufacturing techniques.  We will be focusing on these areas in the conferences and workshops planned under the MfB initiative. The speed of change in this technically demanding area will place an increasing emphasis on training and the acquisition of new skills. But if these needs are not addressed there is a very real risk that they will act as a real break on growth. That is why the provision of training grants to biotechnology SMEs will form a major part of the MfB initiative. It is also important that companies are able to access specialist technical advice on technical issues. The building of information networks will therefore be an early priority. I want companies to make the most of  this opportunity.  I also want to ensure we can help companies meet their future needs by building up a better understanding of the future manufacturing needs and capacity of the industry. This data and the other outputs of this initiative will help to inform our future approach in this area . Notes to Editors: 1.     The Manufacturing for Biotechnology (Mf initiative is a two year awareness  programme aimed at biotechnology SMEs.  It aims to build up a supportive network which  helps companies take informed decisions about their manufacturing needs so that they can  maximise the benefits of years spent in the R&D phase of their evolution.  It will also have a  key intelligence role in assessing company manufacturing needs and how these might be met by  contract manufacturers.  The outputs of the two year programme will inform the DTI's future  policy in this area. 2.    The main support measures of MfB initiative are: -     best practice dissemination, workshop/training programme -     information brokering -     training grants for biotechnology SMEs -     help for SMEs to assess contract manufacturers -     promotion of cutting-edge research programmes in bioprocessing # = pounds sterling