I'm preparing a speech on medical product PR. Does anyone have any questions that would be good for me to address?

Internationalisation is essential for survival for UK Life Science companies. Innovative approaches to deal-making as well as the competence to operate globally are at the heart of success for many companies, but barriers exist. Finance is a main issue and lack of capital is a long-term issue, often being a driver to internationalise. The US may be a source of venture capital but American VC clusters remain largely self-contained, and funding of UK companies is an exception. Continental Europe has seen the biggest growth in new venture companies. Global pharma has been identified as a source of deal revenue, investor exit and corporate venturing. However Pharma companies are now looking towards pre-competitive agreements, only turning early-stage drugs into commercial programmes once they show a high probability of success. This is possibly an opportunity for companies offering contract research services – an area of growth for the UK superclusters. Whichever route a company takes to internationalisation, network contacts and support provide a vital step when exploring new market territory.

I was recently at the BioPartner Annual Dinner, at which several companies commented on how US universities allow time for the maturing of technologies that they have nurtured. whilst UK universities are pressurised by the finance framework, into making to narrow a market valuation and then having to internationalise to soon. Other pressures to internationalise to soon were considered to be due to the poor adoption rates for technology in the home market

High levels of indebtedness, credit constraints and forthcoming fiscal austerity raise the likelihood that UK domestic demand will remain relatively weak over the next few years. As such, it raises the question of where UK economic growth will come from. In my article, I look at the UK manufacturing sector and how manufacturers have become more innovative and more entrepreneurial. Looking ahead, we are optimistic that the UK can improve its export performance. To date, companies have seemingly held back from passing on the fall in the exchange rate through lower prices, preferring instead to bolster their profit margins as they seek to repair their balance sheets. Over time, however, we suspect the fall in the exchange rate, in both nominal and real terms, will start to have a more pronounced impact on the UK’s export performance. Such a strategic shift is likely to be aided by policy, with the new coalition government indicating that it also believes the opportunity for growth lies in an expansion of exports, particularly to emerging Asia. To capitalise on this opportunity, however, it is imperative that the UK continues to invest in those high-value added industries in which it has a comparative advantage.

The BBC's recent article about Otto Bock Healthcare's mind-control arm, touches on the availability of advanced prosthetics on the NHS, and those available to UK troops. BBC News - Otto Bock Healthcare's mind-control arm. You have to wonder to what extent innovation like this is being stifled in the UK due to lack of resource.

The introduction of the 10% Patent Box is welcome news for companies such as mine who are investing heavily in R&D. It also supports the concept of keeping the innovation in the UK. The only real concern we have about this scheme is waiting until 2011, especially after the successful drive of the Office of Life Science and their recent launch to deliver the blueprint- what’s the rational and where’s the investment short term?

What about the small, innovative companies who struggle to have the resource to actually file patents? Couldn’t the Government also do something to support the patent application process, or is this only a bill for big industry?

Funding for start-up companies with innovations past the concept stage but some way from commercial reward, commonly called ‘the valley of death’, is still sparse. Funding for pure research is readily available. Funding for expansion of an established commercial entity with a sound business plan and track record is relatively easy to find but the bit in the middle is where we all are losing valuable initiatives. Even the VC community is loath to invest, or if they do, they will stifle the creative spark in their quest for a quick return.

Universities and higher education institutions have a lot of IP trapped in their empires which is potentially quite lucrative – how do we help them understand that by working with us clever SMEs who are skilled and experienced in the commercialisation process, we all will benefit?

Given the financial status of the UK, one of the only arenas that has experienced growth is the Biotech market and it has been shown that investment in Biotech, gives much higher returns that other sectors. However this needs to stay as a focus as if the UK does not continue to invest and concentrate on new products, we risk this strong position. Continued development in UK innovation and NHS involvement with UK companies should be seen as a win-win situation and needs to be given increased focus and drive from all levels. The UK seems to get bogged down in red tape for implementing products and services that may make total common sense. All parties need to look at ways in which these can be used as they may increase patient outcomes and therefore overall costs in the long run. There are obviously areas in which we need stringent Regulation but there are also areas where if the product does not need to be regulated so thoroughly.

Our experience from the BioEntrepreneur School is that overseas graduates in the UK are much more interested in setting up their own companies than our home grown graduates.

Why is it so difficult to get funding for early stage life science technology businesses? Does the classic model of VC funding and exit by floatation or trade sale still work?

SME organisations within the pharmaceutical market are a prolific source of innovation and new ideas, fuelling the work of many large companies.
With varied levels of funding and resource they are not often recognised for the contribution they make as a well-spring of innovation.

The Voices of Industry campaign demonstrates the willingness for each of the areas within Life Sciences (pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, healthcare and medical device technologies) to work together to ensure this vital sector is recognised at all levels.

The ABPI is happy to support this campaign and would like to encourage all of its members to participate

(Principal Analyst - Healthcare Editor at Clinica-Scrip) The IVDs sector in the UK needs a long-term commitment to the early health model. A simply structured, well worded commitment to promoting, using and monitoring use of these technologies will result in benefits all round - to patients, to the healthcare system, and thus to the government. Too little is invested in this vital segment from the UK healthcare budget.
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The BIA applauds this campaign. The chronic lack of access to capital is a challenge that unites all SMEs. These are particularly tough times for SMEs involved in crucial life sciences research, with viable enterprises still struggling to obtain the follow-on investment they need to be able to grow their businesses into the success stories of the future. Industry needs to send out a clear, united message on how to deal with this problem and get investment moving again. The package of work under discussion at the new Office for Life Sciences must be implemented to make a difference.