3rd November 2009

Over one third of the English delegation set to attend a UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) Trade Mission reception in Los Angeles in early November are from Nottingham, according to national delegation organisers Medilink East Midlands. The reception on Tuesday 10th November, timed to coincide with the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) annual meeting, will be hosted by British Consul Dame Barbara Hay and will enable the Nottingham-based companies to open sales opportunities in the world’s largest pharmaceutical market.

Among those travelling to Los Angeles are Nottingham-based companies Critical Pharmaceuticals, Design Cognition, Food and Drug Analytical Services (FDAS), Molecular Profiles, Pharmaceutical Development Services (PDS) and R5 Pharmaceuticals. Given that the UK is ranked as having the strongest research base in the world behind only the US¹ and that five of the world’s top 20 bestselling pharmaceuticals were developed in the UK², the visitors are set to make a significant impact on the Mission.

The companies will be helped by the UKTI team to meet potential customers, suppliers and partners, discuss funding with investors and learn more about trading with the US. First-timers Design Cognition will be showcasing their specialist packaging design and product development capabilities.

Chief Executive Chris Penfold says: “We are on a fact-finding mission, looking to learn as much as possible about the US market and assessing where and how we can add value for US pharmaceutical companies looking to export, through our understanding of the pharmaceutical packaging requirements and regulations of global markets.”

Chris’s company is working closely with Pharmaceutical Development Services (PDS) Limited, also based in BioCity but now boasting an office in South Carolina. “Making a move into the US requires a great deal of market as well as regulatory intelligence,” says MD Michael Gamlen. “Close working relationships & collaboration are key to success and our respective consultancy services dovetail perfectly to add potential value for US companies, and both our organisations have benefited from continuing support from UKTI, Medilink East Midlands and the Healthcare and Bioscience iNet.”

Medilink East Midlands have worked closely with UKTI and the British Consulate in LA to recruit a very strong UK delegation this year, more than doubling the number of companies participating. The response from Nottingham has been phenomenal. The Healthcare and Bioscience iNet will take up the baton by helping to lead the mission with UKTI colleagues in London and Los Angeles.

Dr Ian Barr, Director of the emda-funded Healthcare and Bioscience iNet says: “This is the fourth Mission that the East Midlands has helped lead and the growth in interest from British companies reflects both the importance of the event and the strength of pharmaceutical R&D in the UK as a whole and particularly in Nottingham.”

Brian Hickmott, UKTI’s International Trade Adviser for Life Sciences in the East Midlands says: “Organising networking events linked to key industry meetings like AAPS is just one of the ways in which UKTI can add value for the companies participating and ensuring that they get to meet the right people for their business.”

AAPS runs from 8-12 November giving plenty of time for the Nottingham contingent to network with over 10,000 other delegates representing pharmaceutical companies and organisations in the USA and the rest of the world. This year’s conference will present the latest issues, innovations, market achievements and policy developments in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.

ENDS

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Media contacts:
Healthcare and Bioscience iNet
Louise Third, Integra Communications: +44 (0)115 912 4350 / 07773 288342

UKTI East Midlands
Simon Grandidge, UKTI East Midlands: +44 (0) 1332 826426

UKTI National
Susan Grieve, UKTI Press Office: + 44 (0) 20 7215 4644

Notes:
¹(Source: Evidence 2007) http://www.ukinvest.gov.uk/Information-sheets/4016065/en-GB.html
²http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file40397.pdf

The Healthcare and Bioscience iNet helps people in the sector, particularly in East Midlands’ businesses and universities, to develop new technologies, processes, products and services in order to build a healthy economy.
Innovation is a key strategic priority for East Midlands Development Agency (emda). Four sector specific Innovation Networks (iNets), including Healthcare and Bioscience, have been established to help turn innovative ideas in to business opportunities.
The iNet concept was developed by emda and East Midlands Innovation (the Regional Science and Industry Council) to bring together businesses, colleges, universities, public sector representatives and individuals with a shared interest in a market or the technology that underpins it.
A key aim of iNet is to provide a sector-specific focus that enables organisations to exchange knowledge and form collaborations to exploit new ideas.
The Healthcare and Bioscience iNet is based at BioCity in Nottingham, a renowned life science industry centre of excellence but it covers the whole region.

Medilink EM was established by emda in 2000 and formed a limited by Guarantee Company in February 2004. Medilink EM is the networking organisation for the healthcare and bioscience sector in the East Midlands, encompassing medical technologies, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Membership benefits include specific healthcare support in marketing, regulatory affairs, clinical evaluation and procurement, access to training and networking events, international conference and exhibition support, and use of sophisticated research tools.

Medilink EM’s diverse membership base includes large healthcare companies such as AstraZeneca in Loughborough, medium size companies including Pennine Healthcare in Derby and smaller companies like Hospital Aids in Northampton. Membership is also drawn from the region’s broader healthcare community including service companies, the universities, and the NHS.

MedilinkEM is also part of a national network of similar organisations, Medilink UK, which is driving national healthcare strategy through its links with central government.

UK Trade & Investment is the government organisation that provides integrated support services for UK companies engaged in overseas trade and foreign enterprises seeking to locate in the UK. It brings together the work of teams in British embassies and FCO posts overseas and government departments across Whitehall. In England, international trade support is coordinated by nine International Trade Directors working in partnership with each Regional Development Agency. UK Trade & Investment services are delivered locally through a network of International Trade Teams. The devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements for local delivery of services. For more information visit the website www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk or http://www.emids.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/

About emda
East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is one of nine Regional Development Agencies in England, set up in 1999 to bring a regional focus to economic development. Ten years on, independent evaluation shows emda has:
• Had a significant impact on the region’s economy
• Generated economic benefits that substantially outweigh its overall costs
• Put back over £9 of economic output (or GVA) into the regional economy for every £1 it spends
• Produced more than £1 billion in economic benefits per year
• A wider impact on people, places and businesses in the East Midlands that cannot be captured by figures alone.

emda is committed to supporting the region through the current downturn and has put in place a range of measures to provide real help during these challenging times.
Over the long term, emda’s aim is to deliver the 2006 Regional Economic Strategy (RES) by working in partnership with public, private and voluntary organisations. The RES highlights the themes of productivity, sustainability and equality and sets out key priorities until 2020 to ensure the vision for ‘a flourishing region’ can be achieved. For more details visit www.emda.org.uk