UK bids to retain biotech leadership

16 April 1999

UK bids to retain biotech leadership

THE UK government plans to appoint a team of top academics and business people charged with retaining Britains leadership in biotechnology.

Lord Sainsbury, the science minister, will conduct a two-month review of the sector, in partnership with Chris Evans, the biotech entrepreneur, and four other leading biotechnologists.

The initiative has been prompted by the concern that Germany is rapidly becoming a threat to Britains position in the sector.

Some academics have claimed Britain could be left behind scientifically because of what they regard as propaganda and ill-founded public concern.

• Financial Times 16/04/99 page 18