News

Last month, Amber Tong, Senior Editor at Endpoints, chaired a panel of Europe's leading VC investors during the Anglonordic life science conference where they were asked 'What Are The Hot Investment Areas?' Amber was joined by a fantastic panel consisting of Hakan Goker, Deborah Harland, Nanna Lüneborg, and Stephan Christgau. The discussion was extremely captivating, the investors spoke about a range of things including how the pandemic has impacted their business, the essential components to building a successful biotech, and the current hot markets for investment. Watch the panel discussion again here.

In May 2020 Kate Bingham was appointed Chair of the UK Vaccine Taskforce, reporting to the Prime Minister to lead UK efforts to find and manufacture a COVID-19 vaccine. This was a six month engagement which Kate stepped down from in December 2020. On December 8th 2020 the UK kicked off its vaccination programme, the first Western country to do so. In recognition of the world-beating and extraordinary success of the UK’s vaccination programme, Kate has been included on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List and awarded a well deserved damehood for her services to the procurement, manufacture and distribution [...]

PIR International recently hosted a panel of Biotech industry experts on the topic of ‘Building your Board’ during the 17th Anglonordic life science conference, doing a deep dive on all things necessary to set-up a successful Board for all stages of growth. As anticipated, it was expertly hosted by Maureen Coleman. Maureen was joined by a superb panel of Eva-Lotta Allen, Edwin Moses, Patrick Vink and Melanie Lee. The discussion was tremendously insightful, providing healthy debate and conversation around all aspects of Board composition, diversity, structure, culture and much more. The utilisation of independent board members, why and when [...]

The changes to IR35 legislation are fast approaching, coming into effect in the UK private sector, which includes the Biotech and Life Science industry, at the start of the new tax year on the 6th April 2021. These changes are designed to collect Income Tax and National Insurance and reduce tax avoidance by contractors, who are believed to be “disguised employees”. Those affected by the changes to IR35 are: Workers who provide their services through an intermediary. Businesses who receive services from a worker through an intermediary. Agencies providing workers’ services as an intermediary. The UK Biotech and Life [...]

About PIR International PIR International has a long and established reputation in the provision of seasoned interim professionals. As a result, since 2005, we have been trusted by Life Science companies to deliver technical and leadership expertise to support their success; start a new venture; bridge a skill gap; deliver a critical scientific or commercial milestone, and to develop and mentor high potential aspiring leaders. About Chris An example of one of these seasoned interim professionals is Medical Director, Chris Lee. PIR International has enjoyed collaborating with Chris over a number of years. During this time he has utilised [...]

As part of PIR International’s planned expansion, its leadership team are pleased to announce the opening of its European office in The Netherlands and the incorporation of PIR International BV. PIR International will use this presence to further its already established relationships across Europe, in key biotechnology and life science hubs, in serving its growing customer base. The opening of the legal entity, PIR International BV, in Amsterdam seeks to ground PIR International firmly in Europe in acknowledgement of the importance of international collaboration and relationships that form the bedrock of the biotechnology and investor community. PIR International’s Managing Partner, [...]

Registration is open for the 17th Annual Anglonordic Life Science Conference taking place on 26th May 2021 at the County Hall, London. Anglonordic is the only life science conference in the UK that is exclusively for European investors and R&D companies from the Nordics and the UK to connect with each other. With an established format of panel discussions, parallel technology and biotech investment rooms, plus 1:1 meetings, this one and a half day London conference provides exceptional value. Networking begins on the evening before the conference at an exclusive reception at The Danish Ambassador's Residence in London. Investors with [...]

The outbreak of Coronavirus means that many of us are now working from home. Although working from home has its perks, over time it can start to have a damaging effect on our mental health. It can make us feel isolated, unproductive, unmotivated, and stressed. To help combat these feelings, here are 5 tips from us to protect your mental wellbeing while working from home. 1.      Set up routine and structure for your workday and stick to it Without a proper schedule the lines between work and personal time can get blurred. Set a routine as if you are going [...]

The world's focus on healthcare and leadership has never been greater. COVID-19 has led us to place higher value on our health, and question what makes a good leader, in times of crisis and in securing our future. The Life Sciences industry is somewhat unique, in that it has the power to influence both. For those working in it, it is a challenging industry with high expectations. To manage a growing ageing population and continuously evolving healthcare needs, the life sciences industry needs innovative, high performing, happy and healthy leaders. These leaders will be at the forefront of improving global [...]

PIR International approached a range of BioLeaders for their thoughts on the current pandemic; with the benefit of their sector experience, their comments offer insights for the industry and policy makers; and practical thoughts on what individual companies are doing to ensure operational protocols are adjusted to continue to meet milestones. Namir Hassan, CEO of Zelluna Immunotherapy ‘This too shall pass; like other pandemics in history we will get to the other side of this one. The world is changing, and so too are our interactions with it. This global re-invention has benefits, though clearly the tragic loss of life [...]