First-ever 'biopartnering' conference successfully unites U.S. and U.K. firms - BioPartnering '93 held Sept 27-30, 1993 in London, United Kingdom

The first-ever U.S.-U.K. BioPartnering '93 conference and matchmaker provided a "trans-Atlantic marketplace" for 46 U.S. biotechnology companies that came to meet with an impressive group of potential U.K. and other EC commercial partners in the bio-pharmaceutical industry. Organized under the direction of Minister-Counsellor for Commercial Affairs, Kenneth Moorefield, this event was a landmark success, showcasing the creative talents and trade promotion expertise of the Commerce Department's U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (US&FCS) staff in London.

BioPartnering '93, held Sept. 27-30 in London, was organized by the US&FCS office, located in the American Embassy. The US&FCS efforts were backed by American and U.K. private sector co-sponsors and the U.K. Department of Trade and Industry. Numerous meetings, bringing together U.S. and U.K. corporate executives, expanded and fortified the strategic alliance between the United States and United Kingdom, two major players in this key high-technology sector.

Over 160 delegates joined the conference phase of this event for a comprehensive review of the latest industry developments, combined with an in-depth analysis of political, legal, and regulatory issues in the bio-pharmaceutical sector. The conference provided the first trans-Atlantic forum on this scale for direct business networking/business exchanges between companies from every sector of the bio-tech/pharmaceutical sector infrastructure in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries of the EC. Full press coverage was provided by Business Week magazine, the BBC, The Financial Times of London, and other key news organizations.

BioPartnering '93 was officially opened by U.S. Ambassador Raymond G.H. Seitz. Timothy Sainsbury, the U.K. Secretary of State for Industry, in the U.K. keynote address, emphasized to the American representatives the hospitable trade and investment climate in the United Kingdom, noting that Britain's regulatory and pricing policies will continue to ensure a stable climate for innovation and enhanced competitiveness in world markets. The U.S. keynote address was presented by James Turner, staff director of the Technology, Environment, and Aviation subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives. Turner's remarks assessed the positive direction the Congress and the Clinton Administration will take in support of public/private partnership in advanced technology development.

The many prearranged company-to-company meetings were the key to the success of BioPartnering '93, according to the U.S. attendees. Participants reported that BioPartnering '93 not only created an important channel for commercial cooperation between American business and government, but also forged promising new links between the United States and the European Community in the bio-pharmaceutical sector.

Of great interest to the U.S. participants were the comments of Industry Minister Sainsbury on the marketing and regulatory climate in the United Kingdom and the European Community. In his presentation, Sainsbury noted that the United Kingdom offers an ideal entry point for American biotechnology companies looking for a way into the European Community, and the ever-expanding Europe beyond. Europe, he declared, is a major market for bio-technology products and processes, rivaling the United States in size. By the year 2000, the market is expected to reach $85 billion, with a large portion of the future market projected to be in new and improved pharmaceuticals.

Market expansion will develop from the EC's Single Market initiative that now makes the European Community's 360 million consumers accessible through single-point product licensing approval. Uniform, EC-wide regulations and, ultimately, unified patent protection will further level the European Community playing field and contribute to growth of the U.K. and EC markets.

Industry Minister Sainsbury assured the bio-tech business community that the British government is working to establish fair, proportionate, and effective regulation, and seeking to establish rules that will not impose unnecessary legislative or administrative burdens on business. He noted Britain has all the components to be at the forefront of a "revolution" under way in biotechnology. Moreover, he indicated, the deep trade and investment relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States provides the basis upon which the two economies can forge an even stronger strategic alliance in biopharmaceuticals.

The US&FCS in London has prepared an in-depth research report on the U.K. bio-pharmaceutical market to assist American companies that want to enter the market or further develop their presence. The study, "Biotechnology in the Pharmaceutical Sector," was prepared by Gloria Coats, the US&FCS specialist in the London Embassy who covers the entire biotechnology sector. The report provides an incisive and current survey of the bio-pharmaceutical market, with specific attention on the best sales prospects, the regulatory climate, and key market contacts.

This invaluable report can be obtained by contacting the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, American Embassy, PSC 801, Box 33, FPO AE 09498-4033 (Attention: Gloria Coats), fax 011-44-71-408-8020; or by contacting the Commerce Department United Kingdom Desk Officer, tel. (202) 482-3748.

COPYRIGHT 1993 U.S. Government Printing Office
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