THE importance of the life sciences sector to the Welsh economy has been underlined by Lesley Griffiths, Deputy Minister for Science, Innovation and Skills.
 

The Deputy Minister was speaking at the BioWales event where she told delegates the Welsh Assembly Government is determined to do everything it can to ensure that trend continues and that the role and goal of the Government is to help.
 

There are currently more than 300 companies in the bioscience sector in Wales, employing over 15,000 people and contributing more than £1.3bn to the Welsh economy.
 

BioWales is the signature life science event for the Welsh health and bioscience sector. It highlights the major R&D activity areas in Welsh industry, academia and the NHS and features a conference programme, an exhibition and one-to-one technology brokerage meetings to discuss potential collaborations, licensing and manufacturing deals.
 

Under WAG’s economic renewal policy, it is identified as one of six key sectors where targeted intervention can secure competitive advantage and a growing market share.
 

Lesley Griffiths said: “In Wales, the sector has firm foundations within, and links to, universities and we can rightly claim areas of world-class performance with particular strengths and expertise in wound healing, medical devices and technology, diagnostics and clinical trials.

“There is tremendous potential for commercialising the first-class work going on in Welsh universities and companies. Key to these groundbreaking developments is strong collaboration.

“The work of the National Institute for Social Care and Health Research (NISCHR) demonstrates what can be achieved with a joined-up approach – providing a unique opportunity to improve translation of research into ideas and products for patients, efficiencies for the NHS and commercial viability for industry.”

Sir Christopher Evans, one of the UK’s most successful biotechnology entrepreneurs, is chairing the Welsh life sciences sector panel, a private sector team supporting a dedicated life sciences team in the Assembly Government.

Welcoming his support, she said the new panel has a clear remit – to use private sector success to help identify the best opportunities for business growth