News

Avecia president named as government sector advisory group chair.

Date: 03/01/2007

Dr Kevin Cox, president of Avecia Biologics, one of the UK’s leading biotech companies, has been appointed as chair of UK Trade & Investment’s Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals Sector Advisory Group.

UK Trade & Investment is the government organisation dedicated to helping UK businesses to export and grow overseas and encourage inward investment into the UK. Dr Cox’s appointment is a sign of the importance of the advanced bio and pharma sectors.



The UK leads Europe in the industrial exploitation of biotechnology and companies in the sector account for almost three-quarters of Europe’s publicly quoted biotechnology companies.

In the last year, Avecia has expanded its workforce in the North East to 500 with the employment of 50 new staff at its Tees Valley operation in Billingham.

Avecia works with companies in the US, Europe and Japan to develop biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes to treat diseases such as cancer, Hepatitis C, and blood disorders.

Dr Cox said: “Helping companies to market advanced products abroad is vitally important, particularly for high technology SMEs. The UK is second only to the US in the strength and depth of capabilities in biotech and pharmaceuticals, and we can boast an extensive development infrastructure to aid companies wishing to invest in the UK. Biopharmaceutical development accounts for thousands of jobs and, while still a relatively small industry, it is growing at a very high rate.”

He added: “The Government’s focus on this aspect of Britain’s capability is vitally important and it is a privilege to be asked to lead this important UK Trade & Investment sector group.”

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