Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who are UK Trade and Investment?

UK Trade & Investment is the Government organisation that helps UK based companies succeed in international markets. We assist overseas companies to bring high quality investment to the UK's vibrant economy. We help biotechnology and pharmaceutical organisations develop business networks and partnership opportunities, both in the UK and internationally. We also offer practical advice, support and a package of assistance to companies who want to build their international business. Find out more about the support our biotechnology team can provide

Telephone +44 (0) 20 7215 8000 or visit our website www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/ukti/biotechnology 

Q. What can I expect from attending this Event?

BBE2007 will bring together overseas biotechnology companies across all subsectors, but particularly in Biopharma, Agricultural, Marine, Industrial, Environmental, Food and Nutraceutical Biotechnology, with potential business partners in the UK. If you are a UK company looking to benefit from an international alliance, BBE2007 is a unique opportunity to seek partners in emerging sectors and new markets. Sector specialists and international trade experts from UK Trade & Investment will be available to advise on breaking into new markets. If you represent a non-UK company, you will be able to meet a full range of potential partners in the UK biotechnology sector as well as the UKTI team and Inward Investment colleagues who are able to assist and advise on doing business in this sector in the UK. By registering for BBE2007 at www.uklifesciences.co.uk, all participants gain full access to the online meetings booking service provided by BioPartner.co.uk.

Q. What is the format of this event?

Following an hour of briefing presentations from sector specialists and key UKTI staff, the day will be given over entirely to partnering meetings and networking. Partnering meetings take place in allocated booths, starting at 10.00. Refreshments are provided throughout the day and lunch will be served from 12.30 to 13.30. All registered companies will be able to examine full company profiles and book meetings through the BioPartner.co.uk online partnering service.

Q. Who should attend?

Senior management and executives of biotechnology and contract bioresearch companies are invited to register for the event and pre-book one-to-one meetings online. Non-UK companies in the Biopharma, AgriBio, Marine, Industrial, Food and Nutraceuticals subsectors should arrange their visit through their local UK Embassy or Consulate. UK-based service providing companies, e.g. accounting, legal, management, are welcome to contact the BioPartner team directly for details of exhibition space availability.

Q. Which countries will be represented?

As well as the UK, companies are expected from USA, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Brazil, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia as a minimum.

Registration and Venue

Q. When and where will BBE2007 take place?

Wednesday 10^th October 2007 9.30 am – 6:00 pm

DBERR Conference Centre, 1 Victoria St, London SW1H OET

Location: http://www.multimap.com/map/

Q. How can I register and book meetings?

Online at: www.uklifesciences.co.uk . This is the event website, and once registered you will be given access to the online booking service provided by BioPartner.co.uk.

If you need further assistance with registration, contact info@uklifesciences.co.uk

The event is free, but please note that a refundable deposit of £100 is required from UK attendees (per company/academic department). There is a nominal attendee limit of 2 per company.

Q. Why are you requesting a refundable deposit for this event?

BBE2007 is a focused meeting uniquely aimed to match UK biotechnology with new overseas technologies and markets. We do not require a fee for this event but would like every registering company to attend. Overseas companies will be present at BBE2007 as part of a mission co-ordinated by their UKTI Consulate or Embassy posts. Registered UK attendees are required to pay a fully refundable deposit of £100 per company/academic department to attend the event, payable to our event partner, BioPartner.co.uk Ltd, by credit card or cheque.

Q. How will I get my deposit back?

Refunds are subject to attendance at the event and will be refunded shortly after 10th October 2007 upon proof of attendance (signing in at the Partnering Desk). If you have paid by cheque, this will be handed back to you when you pick up your delegate pack from the partnering desk. Non attendance will result in forfeit of the deposit.

Q. What is provided on the day?

A delegate pack containing information about UK Trade & Investment and the services it provides, plus a brochure of attending company profiles, and your individual meetings schedule, is obtainable from the partnering desk. Booths will be allocated for each meeting booked online, and further meetings can be booked on the day (although many companies will be fully booked by this time). Informal networking will take place throughout the day. There will be tea, coffee and beverages available all day for attendees and a buffet lunch provided at no charge.

Q. None of the company types options on the registration page fully describes my activities. Do I need to select one anyway?

The search functions on the online booking pages depend on you selecting one of these options. Please select the one that most closely fits your aims in attending the event. There are keyword options as well that will help suitable partner companies find your company profile on the website.

Online Booking

Q. I will be bringing a colleague so as to double the number of potential meetings we can arrange. Should I register them separately?

No, just add their name under ‘Add attendee’ once you have registered and check the box labelled ‘Can book one-to-one meetings’.

Q. Can’t I just book meetings when I get to the event venue?

Although it will be possible to request meetings on the day, there is no guarantee you will get to meet your selected partners, and you may have to wait several hours while they get through their pre-booked schedules. At BBE2005 and 2006, companies that proactively booked up their meetings schedule online also reported the greatest level of successful post-meeting follow-up.

Q. As a non-UK company, why can I only book meetings with UK-based attendees?

UKTI has organised this event free of charge in order to support alliances between UK biotechnology and overseas companies. As a result, the online service is designed to pre-arrange appropriate partnering meetings. There will also be on-site networking opportunities and a meeting request service throughout the day of the event.

Q. Why will the online booking service shut down on Friday 5^h October?

Many of the delegates will be travelling and unable to go online. The booking service will be closed early so as to avoid disruption to their schedules. Printable schedules and profile searches will still be available up until the event, and meetings can be booked on the day (although many companies will be fully booked by then).

Q. I only want to attend BBE2007 for a limited period. How can I stop meeting requests for times when I will not be there?

The partnering website allows you to alter your availability to suit your schedule.

Q. Who should I contact for more information?

Contact the BBE Team at info@uklifesciences.co.uk or call them on +44 (0)870 0675934.