Steve Bates
CEO,
BioIndustry Association (BIA)
Since his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the BioIndustry Association in 2012, Steve Bates has led major BIA campaigns for, amongst other things, improved access to finance, the refilling of the Biomedical Catalyst, anti-microbial resistance and the opportunity the sector presents to generalist long term investors.
Steve champions the adaptive pathway approach to the licensing of new drugs, the need for Early Access and is particularly proud of the working relationship the BIA has established with the UK’s leading medical research charities.
A founder member of United Life Sciences, a strategic partnership representing over 1000 life science and healthcare member companies across the UK and internationally, Steve attends the UK’s Ministerial Industry Strategy Group, and sits on The Royal Society’s Science, Industry & Translation Committee.
Beyond the UK Steve is a member of EuropaBio’s Board and its National Association Council and is a founder member and Vice-Chair of the International Council of Biotech Associations.
An expert and regular commentator on the sector in the media and at industry-leading conferences, Steve has worked both in biotech (as Senior Director at Genzyme UK and Ireland) and at the highest levels of UK government (as Special Advisor to John Reid, MP, during his time in Tony Blair’s government) for over 15 years.
In the 2016 New Year’s Honours List Steve was awarded an OBE for his services to Innovation.