Following a recent meeting at No10 between the government and the pharma sciences industry, it was agreed that a new Government Office for Life Sciences would be set up – to implement a strategic plan of action to ensure the UK fully realizes its leadership position in this area in the economic downturn.

UKTI are hosting a group in London led by the Hunan Liuyang Biomedical Park, who we are advised are interested in R&D co-operation and Technology transfer in the diagnostics area. There will be the opportunity to meet with them at UKTI on March 4. More details: Parminder.Sunda@ukti.gsi.gov.uk

All NHS Chief Executives in England have been asked to examine their payment policies and practices to move as closely as possible to the ten-day payment commitment set for government departments see letter from David Nicholson (dated 28th Oct 08)

Full membership of the Association for Clinical Biochemistry is now open to  “Any health professional with an interest in Clinical Biochemistry”.