Is this the U.K.’s moment for biotech? A BioCentury podcast

Takeaways from the inaugural Grand Rounds — Europe

Is this the U.K.’s moment to capitalize on its biotech ecosystem? That was one of the primary themes discussed at the debut Grand Rounds — Europe conference last week in Cambridge, U.K.

James Sabry of BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ:BMRN) and Michelle Jones of Astex Pharmaceuticals Inc. joined BioCentury’s analysts on a special edition of the BioCentury This Week podcast recorded live at the event to discuss their key takeaways from the two-day conference.

The meeting took place at a complex moment for the U.K. Though the region’s scientific prowess and human data resources are stronger than ever, its ecosystem was recently dealt a series of body blows as a trio of pharmas indicated they were cooling on continued investments in the region.

Among the keynotes, panels and fireside chats, the podcast crew discussed a lively on-stage debate between Steve Bates, CEO of U.K. biotech association BIA, and Jérôme van Biervliet, managing director of Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), on the strength of the U.K.’s life sciences R&D — alone or with its EU neighbors.  

The theme continued in a fireside chat featuring Patrick Vallance, U.K. minister of state for science, research and innovation, in conversation with Kate Bingham, managing partner at SV Health Investors. In the session, Vallance outlined his view of how to get beyond the current stalemate and stop pharmas from carrying out their threats to disinvest in the U.K. Vallance and Bingham also explored initiatives positioning life sciences as a pillar of economic growth for the country.

Diving into the meeting’s major science themes, the analysts discuss what’s next for DNA damage repair pathway targets, both inside and outside of cancer; whether obesity should be recast as a brain disease; and the cutting edge of small molecule design.