The last quarter has been a busy one for our network, and I am delighted to see so many positive news stories, particularly given the ongoing challenges faced by everyone in the current economic climate. It’s an ongoing testament to the determination and innovation of the biotech community that this is a bumper edition full of stories of awards, funding and investment wins, successful projects, and new facilities and collaborations.

In other good news, I am sure you will join me in extending a warm welcome to our new members, Scientific Bioprocessing Inc, Eco Cascade, SHORE, and Cambond, who have joined us during the last quarter.

It's been an equally busy quarter for the IBioIC team. Our Projects team are currently assessing applications to the latest round of Feasibility Funding which closed on 9 February, as well as ramping up activity on new projects which have started over the quarter.  Our Bioeconomy Cluster Builder activity facilitated over 250 interactions between events and meetings, and our Skills team hosted award winning communications professional Dr Jamie Gallagher in January for a learning event on engagement, impact, and evaluation.  In all, IBioIC activity generated 72 pieces of news coverage between November and January.

Many of you will be joining IBioIC in Glasgow next month for our 9th Annual Conference, where you will have the opportunity to meet some of the individuals and organisations represented in this edition, and I would urge you to make use of the 1-1 partnering facility to reach out to the people you will hear from as you read on.

Early Bird conference tickets have now closed, but standard tickets remain available until 10 March. We are delighted to welcome high profile speakers including Mark Beaumont, champion cyclist and EoS Advisory partner and USDA-Rural Development’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service’s Deputy Administrator Mark Brodziski as plenary speakers.

This year’s conference agenda is strongly focused on delivering useful learning across the breadth of industrial biotechnology whilst ensuring there is ample networking time, including a much more informal approach to the conference dinner. The IBioIC team has worked hard to deliver a conference that will generate practical benefits for all, and I look forward to seeing you there.

 Mark