Bionow Northwest Development Agency PO Box 37 Renaissance House Centre Park Warrington Cheshire WA1 1XB Tel: +44 (0)1925 400 100 Fax: +44 (0)1925 400 400 e-mail: bionow@nwda.co.uk www.bionow.co.uk www.nwda.co.uk
Northwest Biotechnology Finance Advisory Service (NWBFAS)
Contents Page Introduction
2
Support available
2
Company eligibility
3
How to apply
3
Additional Information
4
Expert Partners Introduction
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• Addleshaw Goddard
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• Altium Capital
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• Armstrong Craven
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• DWF Solicitors
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• Eversheds
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• Halliwell Landau
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• Pannone & Partners
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Regional Business Adviser (RBA) Project
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RBA Role in NWBFAS
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Bionow
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Northwest Biotechnology Company Map
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Application form
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SCOTLAND
Edinburgh Glasgow
Liverpool
Manchester
Birmingham
WALES
ENGLAND
London
Introduction The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Northwest Development Agency (NWDA) are providing the Northwest Biotechnology Finance Advisory Service (NWBFAS) to enable early stage and small companies in the biotechnology industry to improve their business development and growth.
Business Development projects that may be considered for funding include:
The NWBFAS provides grant funding to eligible companies to pay for professional advice and expertise for business development. The Regional Business Advisers (RBA) for Biotechnology will also support the NWBFAS (although there are certain geographic restrictions to the RBA service).
• Business Planning
• Raising venture capital or other funding • Intellectual Property protection and enforcement • Corporate advice • Senior Management Team recruitment
To provide the level of business development support that the NWBFAS demands, a panel of professional industry experienced Partners has been formed. Each of these “Expert Partners” are available to discuss with you the nature of your business development requirements and advise you on how to maximise the
NWBFAS funding. They will also enhance the value of your project by a contribution of their time free of charge. Please note that you are not obliged to use any of the Expert Partners but you will have to provide details of your chosen consultant’s credentials as outlined on page 3. If your company is working towards raising venture capital then you will also have the opportunity to take a “reality check” sponsored by Altium Capital. This booklet is intended to provide all the information needed to access the service, however you may submit further questions, by email, to Bionow, the NWDA’s biotechnology cluster group at bionow@nwda.co.uk.
Support available be made up of a grant from the NWBFAS, a contribution of time from an Expert Partner (who will deliver the project), and a cash contribution from your company.
The NWBFAS has a fund of £100,000 to provide a business development grant to approximately 20 companies before the end of January 2006 to pay for expertise and advice. The grants are available to 13 companies before 31st March 2005 and to a further 7 companies from 1st April 2005 to 31st January 2006. The project cost will
Grant available from DTI/NWDA Contribution from Expert Partner
The Expert Partners have agreed to a contribution of work up to a value of £2,000 (see example one). However, this
% Contribution
Example One
Example Two
62.5
£5,000
£3,750
25
£2,000
£1,500
Your contribution
12.5
£1,000
£750
Total
100
£8,000
£6,000
is on a case-by-case basis and should be discussed directly with the Expert Partner. If you choose to use a consultant who is not an Expert Partner, either the consultant of your choice or your company must make up the 25% contribution. If the grant required is less than £5,000 then contributions should be altered on a pro rata basis according to the percentages given in the table (see example two). The Expert Partners are available to discuss the nature of your business development requirements and advise you on how to maximise the NWBFAS funding.
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Company eligibility To be eligible for this grant support your company must: • Be a Small or Medium sized Enterprise (SME). To conform to SME status your company must: 1.
Employ less than 250 full time equivalent employees
2.
Have a turnover of less than c40million, or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding c27million
3.
Have not more than 25% of the capital or voting rights owned by an enterprise which itself is not an SME unless: a) The enterprise is held by public investment corporations, venture capital companies or institutional investors, provided no control is exercised either individually or jointly
b)
The capital is spread in such a way that it is not possible to determine by whom it is held and if the enterprise declares that it can legitimately presume that it is not owned as to 25% or more by one enterprise, or jointly by several enterprises, falling outside the definitions of an SME
• Be located in one of the five counties of the Northwest of England: Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire or Merseyside. • Be part of the Biotechnology industry, i.e. “A company that derives the majority of its revenue from the use or application of biological material, systems or information to provide products or services”. • Not exceed the De minimis limits for grant funding. This ruling declares that no company may take up a grant award
or in-kind support from the state to a value that exceeds a ceiling of c100,000 in a rolling three-year period. • Show that the project will provide an opportunity that would not exist without the input of the expert support offered and the grant proposed. It must also demonstrate value for money. • Be able to show that the project proposed is distinct from current activities in your company. • Be a Registered Company in the UK. The NWBFAS will be administered by the NWDA (Bionow) in collaboration with the Regional Business Advisers (RBAs). As part of your business development, it may be appropriate for you to meet with an RBA to ensure that maximum value is gained from the NWBFAS. For further information on the RBAs please see page 12.
How to apply If you feel this scheme will provide you with the support you need and you match the eligibility then an application from your company is welcomed. Application is via the form at the back of this booklet. The diagram illustrates the process: Consider the development project that will provide maximum value for your company (a meeting with an RBA may aid you at this point).
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Identify and meet with an Expert Partner to outline the support required. Agree project deliverables, deadlines, project costs and Expert Partner contribution.
Submit the original application form plus a copy of the quote (including project outline) proposed by Expert Partner.
The NWDA will process the application and respond, normally within ten working days.
If approved – Proceed to contract with Expert Partner. Forward copy of contract or agreed action plan to the NWDA. *A copy of the NWDA grant claim form will be included with the approval letter, please retain for later use.
If declined – Further applications for alternative projects may be submitted if funds are available.
On completion of project, submit a paid invoice to the NWDA with the grant claim form.
Additional information • Application forms can be downloaded from the Bionow website – www.bionow.co.uk. However, a signed hard copy of the application form must be submitted (photocopies are not acceptable). • Grants will be awarded on a first come first served basis to 13 companies who fulfil the eligibility criteria and provide a suitable application before 31st March 2005 and then to a further 7 companies between 1st April 2005 and 31st January 2006. Approved applications received after the allocation of grants to the first 13 companies will be carried over to 1st April 2005.
• Suitable applications must show the project deliverables provide value for money. • Applications will be considered in isolation. Companies may submit more than one project provided it is a distinct project. • The evaluation panel will comprise employees of the NWDA and its advisers. • Application forms may be submitted for projects that are delivered by a consultant other than the Expert Partners. This consultant must be able to fulfil the criteria shown below.
• Altium Capital will provide a “reality check” at no extra cost to companies who are working towards raising venture capital. This service is provided as extra support and will not count as part of the project cost in the NWBFAS. To discuss this option please contact an RBA or Bionow. • The NWDA will endeavour, to the best of its ability, to provide a decision to completed applications within ten working days. • All information supplied will be treated as commercial-in-confidence.
Expert Partners introduction As your company’s needs are unique, each project supported by the NWBFAS will be bespoke. It is important that you discuss your requirements with an appropriate Expert Partner. Each of the Expert Partners listed here have supported the NWBFAS from its conception. The organisations have committed to providing an enhanced service to companies awarded a grant from the NWBFAS. This service will be in the form of extra work up to the value of £2,000, provided by the Expert Partner free of charge. Applications to the NWBFAS can only be processed if complete and accompanied
by a quote for the full project cost. The quote must make clear the value of the contribution from the Expert Partner as part of the project cost. Therefore discussions with the Expert Partner must take place before an application can be submitted. You may want to take independent guidance before approaching any of the Expert Partners. In this case it may be appropriate to contact a Regional Business Adviser (RBA) who may be able to help you decide on the best course of action. However, it is not a requirement of the NWBFAS that you meet with an RBA. For further information on the RBAs project and the role of the RBAs in the NWBFAS, please see the appropriate section in this booklet.
If you feel that none of the Expert Partners who are listed here have the expertise to help you move your business forward, or you have already identified an alternative consultant, then you may submit an application in conjunction with an alternative organisation. In this situation the consultant you intend to use must provide evidence of at least two of the following: 1. Work at an international level in the biotechnology industry 2. Membership of the National Business Link Consultants Database 3. Copy of Professional Indemnity Insurance plus references from three clients.
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Addleshaw Goddard The Firm Addleshaw Goddard is a national law firm with offices of equal strength in the key regional centres of London, Leeds and Manchester. With a fee income of some £130 million for the year 2002/03, a workforce of 173 partners, over 500 fee earners and a total firm-wide complement of more than 1,250 people, the firm is excellently placed both on a regional and national level to deliver focused client services through five practice groups (Commercial, Corporate, Finance and Litigation, Employment and Property) located in our four strong offices. In addition the firm has a wide international network of 'preferred firms' around the world to help enhance the delivery of our services on an international level. Sector Experience The firm has a significant range of experience in providing legal services in the biotechnology sector. During 2002 and 2003 we have worked extensively with the NWDA to help deliver the unique and prestigious National Biomanufacturing Centre project, a £30-million biotechnological and biopharmaceutical facility to be based in Speke, Merseyside, with the anticipated creation of some 1,000 new jobs locally. In addition, we currently advise a range of biotechnology companies such as Cyprotex, F2G, Renovo and others (including those working in important areas of medical research and innovation) in relation to corporate, commercial and intellectual property matters and venture capital projects. Whilst we are well-placed to work with businesses that have achieved success in the sector, we also provide valuable advice, including business “surgeries”, specifically tailored towards the assistance and development of fledgling
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and start-up companies in the biotechnology sector, as well as across other sectors of industry. This includes those arising from the Manchester Business School Incubator and Campus Ventures. In addition we also regularly advise venture capitalists that recognise the emergence of the biotechnology sector and are investing into it. We are continuing to develop our expertise and our biotechnology client base, which we see as a continuing process. We believe that our expertise in the biotechnology sector places us in a strong position to be able to help support Bionow in developing the emerging biotechnology enterprise cluster in the Northwest. In November 2003 we underlined our keenness to do this by sponsoring the Bionow 2003 award for the Northwest Biotechnology Start-up of the Year, won by Senexis Limited. Expertise Available Our practice areas are highly regarded in offering recognised expertise, a service capability that is second to none, and which has significant critical mass. We have bench strengths unlike many other firms. We aim to use this platform to deliver new levels of service and add greater business value to clients. At Addleshaw Goddard we will continue to develop our commitment to our clients through our client care programmes and, in so doing, enhance our reputation among our clients for commerciality, proactivity and responsiveness. This commitment to our clients remains paramount. The following can be contacted in relation to any aspect of our biotechnology work:
Neil Woolhouse Partner Tel: 0113 209 2289
Jim Tully Partner Tel: 0161 934 6646
Christopher Brennan Associate Tel: 0161 934 6679 100 Barbirolli Square Manchester Greater Manchester M2 3AB www.addleshawgoddard.com
Altium Capital The Firm Altium Capital, formerly the corporate finance arm of Apax Partners, is a leading European investment banking group operating through a network of owned and affiliated offices. Altium Capital provides a wide range of services including advice on deal structuring, merger and acquisition transactions, as well as disposals and fundraisings for both public and private companies. We aim to advise on all aspects of corporate strategy, including raising capital through each stage of a company’s development. This can include debt and equity fundraisings as well as IPO sponsorship. Sector Experience Altium Capital has significant experience in providing investment banking solutions to healthcare and lifescience companies. In recent years we have developed an inhouse lifescience capability and worked extensively on developing links with local companies and university technology transfer agencies. Consequently, we have a strong team who have a deep understanding of the lifescience sector. This, coupled with our imaginative deal origination, advice and professional transaction management, makes us a leading advisor in the sector. Recently, Altium Capital has advised on a number of private equity investments and is continuing to develop its sector expertise.
In addition, we work closely with Code Securities, a newly formed banking and securities division focused exclusively on lifesciences. Code Securities was founded by Chris Collins, the former head of WestLB Panmure’s Lifesciences Group. Code Securities has the largest and most experienced team in Europe dedicated to the lifesciences and medtech sectors, and was created through the recruitment of highly ranked specialists from the major investment banking firms in London, to complement the core of the WestLB Panmure team. Completed Transactions: Recent transactions completed by Altium Capital include the £20 million placing and admission to the official list of Integrated Dental Holdings plc, the £3.5 million and £4 million private placements of Cambridge Sensors Ltd and Oxford Biosensors Ltd, as well as the sale of Transform Medical Group Ltd to Covenant Healthcare Ltd.
Phil Adams Managing Director Email: phil.adams@altiumcapital-m.co.uk
Joe Smith Managing Director Email: joe.smith@altiumcapital-m.co.uk
Adrian Reed Associate Email: adrian.reed@altiumcapital-m.co.uk Altium Capital 5 Ralli Court West Riverside Manchester M3 5FT Tel: 0161 831 9133 Website: www.altiumcapital.co.uk
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Armstrong Craven The Firm Armstrong Craven is a business consultancy specialising in the provision of a wide range of bespoke research services to help businesses successfully grow. Our client base ranges from professional service firms, to small to medium sized businesses and large multi-national corporations. We have a team of over 30 researchers and 10 information specialists ready to respond to client requests for information and research. The range of experience and resources at Armstrong Craven enables us to provide added value information services that in turn, enable businesses to meet their objectives.
Expertise Available Services of interest can include:
Sector Experience Since 1997, Armstrong Craven has had a dedicated Healthcare practice, providing these services to all areas of the healthcare sector including biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical, medical devices, diagnostics, outsourcing organisations, healthcare providers and venture capital companies.
Management Referencing Using a third party for management due diligence brings objectivity and ensures that there are no surprises post appointment or post completion of a deal or investment.
Armstrong Craven is an active member of Bionow and other regional biotechnology bodies, including MerseyBio and bioscience initiatives in Yorkshire. We are delighted to be part of the NWBFAS.
Executive Research We draw on over 13 years of experience in providing executive research services to a wide range of clients to find the best available candidates for specified vacancies. Customer Referencing Our experienced research team can obtain objective feedback from current and potential customers, either for client companies or Professional Advisors as part of the pre-transaction commercial due diligence process.
Market Intelligence This service is used to help develop business plans, to increase market knowledge and competitive advantage, and/or to help successfully develop existing or penetrate new markets. General Business Information When you need to know who, where, when, why or how much, our Business Information team can provide clients with published company, market and people information across a wide range of sectors. Lead Generation A combination of research and business information is used to proactively target companies that meet client’s criteria. This service can be used for the purpose of mergers, acquisitions, MBI/MBO’s or for generating sales leads.
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Jane Kirk Director of Business Development janek@armstrongcraven.com
Rachel Davis Head of Healthcare racheld@armstrongcraven.com Trident II Trident Business Park Styal Road Manchester M22 5WN Tel: 0161 493 1700 Fax: 0161 493 1701 www.armstrongcraven.com
DWF Solicitors The Firm DWF (the trading name of Davies Wallis Foyster), through its work with successful and growing businesses – has become one of the fastest growing law firms in the UK. Described by Legal 500 as “a regional heavyweight”, the firm comprises over 350 legal staff (including 56 partners) and a total of over 600 staff across its Liverpool, Manchester and Warrington offices. Sector Experience The DWF Science Group delivers a complete menu of legal services for biotechnology businesses. These services cover: Asset Finance Banking Business Recovery Commercial Agreements Competition Construction Corporate Debt Management Employee Incentive Planning Employment Law Food Law Health, Safety & Environment Insurance Intellectual Property Internet & Technology Pensions Planning Property Wealthcare
DWF is involved with the NWBFAS as we have genuine expertise and experience in accessing finance for science-based businesses on favourable terms and we wish to continue expanding our client base in this area of work. We are an active member of Bionow – the NWDA’s biotechnology cluster group – and we deliver direct support to the businesses based at MerseyBio, Merseyside’s biotechnology incubator organisation. In addition, DWF has representation on the Merseyside Life Sciences Steering Group. Nationally, DWF is a Business Affiliate Member of the UK Science Park Association (UKSPA) and has rare expertise in accessing public and private finance to protect and exploit science innovation – from initial proof of concept funding to full-scale development capital. Expertise Available Legal services are delivered by people with genuine experience in the industry, who can quickly get to the heart of the matter and help businesses extract unbeatable value from their legal budget. Through our network of business contacts, we can also leverage in a whole range of other advice and support to help biotechnology businesses achieve their ambitions. Further information about the DWF Science Group can be found at www.dwf.co.uk.
Jeremy Swift Partner Email: jeremy.swift@dwf.co.uk 37 Peter Street Manchester M2 5GB Tel: 0161 603 5000 Fax: 0161 603 5050
Gareth McIntegart Partner Email: gareth.mcintegart@dwf.co.uk 5 Castle Street Liverpool L2 4XE Tel: 0151 907 3000 Fax: 0151 907 3030 Website: www.dwf.co.uk
Both Jeremy Swift and Gareth McIntegart, who lead our biotechnology finance service, are always happy to have an informal discussion, at no charge, to explore how they might be able to help solve a problem or seize an opportunity. They are supported by our unique BusinessBoost service that provides small and medium sized growing businesses with a free ongoing legal management service.
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Eversheds The Firm At Eversheds our lawyers are business advisers as well as legal experts. We believe in true partnerships with our clients: really getting to know you so our advice is the best it can be and adding value to our relationships through creative thinking and an open mind. With over 2,000 legal and business advisers based in 19 offices and associated offices in Europe and Asia, we are one of the largest legal practices in the world. Each office provides a wide range of services to the business and financial community as well as to the public sector. Our distinctive approach gives clients access to a large team of lawyers who combine local market knowledge with an international perspective. Sector Experience Janet Knowles leads Eversheds LLP’s Biosciences team in the North. Eversheds is a major player in the provision of legal services to the Bioscience Sector and members of the UK BioIndustry Association. Janet has a wide range of experience with commercial deals and their intellectual property and competition law implications, as well as regulatory issues for medicinal products and medical devices. She deals with a variety of bioscience clients including clients working in
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pharmaceuticals, pharmacogenomics, DNA purification and mass spectrometry. She works with clients through from start-ups to IPO and beyond. Clients include Department of Health, CP Pharmaceuticals, Epistem and DxS. Janet is company secretary of Medilink and a member of the Licensing Executives Society, AURIL (Association for University Research and Industry Links) and UNICO (University Companies Association). Expertise Available We provide both local and international advice and skills across Europe and have further developed close relationships with key US law firms (both East and West coast) and UK patent agents. Our qualifications include pharmacology, physiology, biophysics and biochemistry, chemistry, and microbiology. Supported by a dedicated ‘know-how’ lawyer with a PhD, the team’s areas of expertise include: • Development of strategies for protecting, valuing and exploiting patents and other intellectual property rights • Legal advice on licensing, assignments, collaborations and other commercial transactions involving intellectual property • Advice on regulatory matters and clinical trials • Legal advice on company start-ups, and corporate finance.
Janet Knowles Partner Tel: 0161 831 8207 Mobile: 07831 554 120 Email: janetknowles@eversheds.com Website: www.eversheds.com
Halliwell Landau The Firm Halliwell Landau was established over 28 years ago and is one of the largest commercial law firms in the Northwest. The business now has over 600 staff, including 67 partners and more than 196 lawyers. We have offices in Manchester, London and Sheffield.
from technology development and licensing to manufacturing, supply, distribution and franchising arrangements, through to service provision, outsourcing and facilities management. Projects have included multi-jurisdictional joint venture arrangements and patent based technology exploitation.
We have developed long-standing relationships with many of our clients by providing a personal, responsive and flexible service. At all times we aim to ensure that we fully understand our clients’ needs and guarantee delivery of service. We regularly evaluate our own performance and undertake continuous relationship management to ensure a continually high quality of service.
Expertise Available Halliwell Landau is proud to be part of Bionow's advisory panel and we have allocated two lawyers from the 11 strong Intellectual Property, Commerce and Technology team to act as the main points of contact. Jonathan Moakes and Peter Budd’s details appear here together with the services available from the team. The department regularly advises in respect of the following:
Sector Experience The work undertaken by The Intellectual Property, Commerce and Technology team extends far beyond the traditional categories of commercial agreements and intellectual property protection and enforcement to include advice on any form of intangible rights and, save for those concerned with real property or corporate matters, any type of commercial arrangement. We involve colleagues from other specialist areas such as corporate, employment and commercial property where necessary. The department advises a range of clients including those in the high technology, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and information technology sectors. Work handled includes drafting and advising on all aspects of commerce,
Jonathan Moakes Partner Direct dial: 0161 831 2700 Email: jmoakes@halliwells.co.uk
• Technology procurement • Joint ventures • Pharmaceutical licences including contract manufacture arrangements and long term supply agreements
Peter Budd Associate Solicitor Tel: 0161 831 2733 Email: pbudd@halliwells.co.uk Website: www.halliwells.co.uk
• Research, development and licensing deals involving technology based companies • Patent and know-how transfers and licences • Trade secrets, confidential information and non-disclosure agreements • Contentious matters, including patent litigation, passing off, trade mark infringement and domain name disputes • E-commerce advice and assistance including data protection.
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Pannone & Partners The Firm Pannone & Partners is a Manchester city centre practice offering specialised legal services to corporate and personal clients. Pannone & Partners has 77 partners, 210 legal staff and a total staff of 450.
company handbooks and would also include share options schemes whether by way of enterprise management incentive schemes, unapproved share option schemes or other forms of employee share option arrangements
Sector Experience Simon Wallwork is a partner in the corporate department of the firm. He has a detailed knowledge of the life sciences sector and has advised a number of companies from start up through the early stage and development stage funding to eventual sale. Pannone & Partners Biotechnology clients include Senexis Limited, Neurosolutions Limited, Neuroserve Limited, Lectus Therapeutics Limited and Ralinea Limited. In the past Simon has acted for Cambridge Drug Discovery Limited, Cambridge Combinatorial Chemistry Limited and Sense Proteomic Limited.
• Intellectual Property: Protecting intellectual property, development of an intellectual property strategy; research and collaboration agreements, licensing arrangements, joint venture agreements and partnering arrangements
Expertise Available Pannone & Partners are able to provide a full range of legal advice to biotechnology companies including: • Corporate advice: Setting up of the company, advice relating to shareholder agreements and tailored articles of association, advice regarding directors responsibilities and liabilities; advice relating to fundraising, including the different forms of fundraising, availability of funds and the documentation of any fundraising; and advice on raising funds by way of listing • Taxation advice relating to the issuing of shares to employees, share option schemes and the Restricted Share regime • Employment advice: Service agreements, employment contracts,
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• Property advice relating to the purchasing and leasing or licensing of the premises. In relation to the NWBFAS project itself, Pannone & Partners advice for the Project Funding would be supported as follows: • The incorporation of the company (if needed), shareholders agreements and articles of association and all necessary advice and documentation in order to put the required share structure in place including tax advice. Advice relating to the rights and obligations of shareholders and the rights and obligations of directors • Advice and assistance in relation to the sources of initial funding • Service agreements and employment contracts for the directors and employees • Initial advice on share options schemes • A review of intellectual property rights and advice on the protection of intellectual property rights • Advising on any initial research and collaboration agreements or licensing arrangements that are needed for the onward development of the business of the company.
Simon Wallwork Partner Pannone & Partners 123 Deansgate Manchester M3 2BU Tel: 0161 909 3000 Email: law@pannone.co.uk www.pannone.com
Regional Business Adviser (RBA) Project In 2003, the NWDA initiated a three-year pilot project to support the growth performance of SMEs across 14 priority industry sectors that mirror the strategic focus of its cluster organisations. This included Biotechnology and other Life Science businesses.
Link at www.businesslink.gov.uk for information on whether your company is located in an Objective 2 area.
Around 28 senior business professionals with specific industry sector experience were engaged to work as Regional Business Advisers (RBAs) with eligible companies in the Northwest region. RBAs work on a one-to-one, longer-term basis with senior management teams on issues of strategic priority for their business. They may also broker links with other support agencies or other cost-effective business support organisations. They will assist where possible, in the promotion of networks and contacts beneficial to the business. In some cases financial support is also available to support companies wanting to employ consultants for specific projects.
The RBA roles are complementary to that of the NWDA’s cluster organisations, and companies can be cross-referred to the cluster groups as well as the network of other business support services appropriate to the industry.
Eligibility of companies for RBA support is dependent upon location – support is targeted to SMEs in designated Objective 2 areas of the Northwest region. Areas that are designated Objective 2 are those that require support for the economic and social conversion of industrial, rural, urban and fisheries areas facing structural difficulties. Contact your local Business
The RBA project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and backed by UK Trade & Investment and Business Links.
Sue Buchanan and David Hawkins are the RBAs for Biotechnology and work in close collaboration with Bionow. Sue is an independent consultant with 20 years’ experience in marketing and business development and management consultancy in the Life Science industry sector. Prior to practicing as an independent consultant, Sue held roles as Director of Marketing for GeneMedix plc and as Managing Consultant for PA Consulting Group’s Life Science and Technologies Consulting Practice.
Sue Buchanan Regional Business Adviser (Biotechnology) Email: sue.e.buchanan@ntlworld.com Tel: 07815 284676 David Hawkins Regional Business Adviser (Biotechnology) Email: dvs.hawkins@btinternet.com Tel: 07715 054613
David is a qualified pharmacist and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. He has previously held the post of Managing Director for AstraZeneca in Thailand and Turkey. David has spent the last three years working for UK Trade and Investment as a Healthcare Consultant.
RBA role in NWBFAS The NWBFAS will be administered by Bionow within the NWDA and in collaboration with the RBAs for Biotechnology. It will significantly enhance the range of support on offer to early stage and small companies in the NW biotechnology industry, through the input of expert consultants renowned for their
understanding of the biotechnology industry at an international level. Much of the work being undertaken by the RBAs for Biotechnology with Northwest companies is in advising on business planning, market development, securing funding and gaining access to further professional support for these activities.
The support offered through the NWBFAS is, therefore, highly complementary to the role being undertaken by the RBAs. As such they are expected to be a key conduit for company identification and access to this support, alongside Bionow.
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Bionow Bionow is the NWDA’s biotechnology, pharmaceutical and healthcare cluster group. To aid the continuing growth of the industry, Bionow provides the following services to companies at all stages of growth throughout the whole of the Northwest of England. Access to information • Website (www.bionow.co.uk) – There is a large information resource on companies in the region with direct links to their website from the regional map and also the company database. Alongside the commercial focus, there is a wealth of information on the key agency funding and projects, premises available and support activities of partner organisations. • Newsletter – This is available in electronic format only and is sent out at the end of every month. The content includes up-todate news from the companies in the region and relevant press releases are welcomed. A regular feature is the company profile, with the spotlight on a different company each month. To access back copies or sign up for a subscription, log on to the Bionow website. • Northwest Biotechnology Directory – Provided in hard copy only, this directory is designed to provide a snapshot of every company that works in the regional biotechnology, pharmaceutical and healthcare cluster. Listings in the directory are free and available to all biotechnology companies located in the Northwest. Strategic projects A key service provided by Bionow to the industry is the development, management and support of strategic projects that will continue to encourage growth in the region. These include: • National Biomanufacturing Centre • Core Technology Facility • Northwest Institute for Bio/Health Informatics
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Central point for access to partner agencies Biotechnology is a key industry and there are a number of publicly funded initiatives, agencies and not-for-profit organisations all working to drive the growth of the sector. Bionow works with its sub regional partners, Government Office of the North West, and other key organisations to provide a comprehensive support structure and sign-posting service. More information can be found on the Bionow website. Overseas trade promotion The biotechnology industry is a global industry. Bionow works with UK Trade and Investment to aid bio partnering and support industry missions to key international marketplaces for biotechnology. Also, when companies and experts visit the Northwest, we will help interactions with regional companies by arranging meetings and visits. Inward investment support Alongside our colleagues at the NWDA, we are available to provide active support for companies wishing to locate in the region with specialist sector advice. The Northwest offers an exciting location for biotechnology businesses with its strong research and manufacturing base and we are always pleased to help introduce new companies and help integrate them into the region. Events and Networking Is it a well known fact that face-to-face communication is the most effective way to build business relationships and networking is certainly key to this industry. With this in mind, Bionow provides a variety of occasions to meet with other industry colleagues, key academics and new partners. These include: • Quarterly Networking Events – These early evening events offer a mixture of education through short presentations from industry leaders as well as informal networking. They are aimed at senior
managers in the core biotechnology community. Membership of Bionow is required in order to attend these events. • Conferences – Bionow organises and supports a variety of conferences and workshops as well as highlighting other useful events around the UK on both the e-newsletter and the website events page. • Bionow Awards – Bionow organises an annual Awards Dinner with major industry sponsors. This is a tremendous occasion to recognise and congratulate the companies, projects and people in the region who are taking the industry forward. Regional Business Advisers (RBAs) Working with our Business Link partners there is now a regional resource for biotechnology SMEs to provide expert and specialist one-to-one business advice. The sector-specific RBAs have already successfully worked with a number of Northwest companies and are keen to meet with others who may be able to take advantage of their expertise (see the Bionow website for details). Whatever your stage of development, Bionow is working to provide the support you need to help your business flourish. If you would like to know more about our activities we would be delighted to hear from you.
Dr Linda Magee Head of Bionow NWDA Renaissance House Centre Park Warrington WA1 1XB Tel: 01925 400345 Fax: 01925 400400 Email: bionow@nwda.co.uk Website: www.bionow.co.uk
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