News

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 [...]

The Board of PIR International are delighted to welcome Peter Keen to our Advisory Committee. An experienced public and private company Non-Executive Director, Peter has sat on over 30 boards during his career. He is currently a Non-Executive Director of Endomagnetics Ltd, a company improving cancer surgery outcomes; and the medical charity LifeArc which has assets significantly in excess of £1bn following the monetisation of the leading cancer drug Keytruda. Recent Directorships include SpringWorks Therapeutics Inc, a rare disease company that successfully listed on NASDAQ in September 2019, the Biotechnology Growth Trust plc, a £400m investment trust investing in 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. David Roblin, Chair of Translation Medicine at the Francis Crick Institute ‘…Our sector’s role is to innovate. Never has our work been more important. I would ask colleagues to be impatient with themselves but patient with physicians on the front line; they have a huge amount to cope with [...]

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. Jason Mellad, CEO of Start Codon ‘Historically, I feel that the Life Sciences industry has placed great focus on oncology therapeutics and tackling inherited or lifestyle diseases that are highly prevalent in wealthier nations. Too often infectious diseases have been viewed as a problem largely confined to developing nations [...]