OBN Hosts Launch of Initiative to Improve Equity Financing for European Life Sciences Start-Ups

LONDON, May 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

OBN - the membership organisation supporting the UK's emerging life sciences companies - today hosts the launch at BioTrinity 2014 of the European Policy Dialogue for Growth (EPDG) initiative to address the shortage of financing for life sciences start-ups in Europe.

"Although European life sciences venture capital financing is growing year-on-year, there is still a shortfall, particularly for emerging companies - OBN's core membership - to support their first stages of development," comments Jon Rees, CEO of OBN.

"Much of the work OBN does is around access to finance and therefore it is appropriate we host, in association with LOGOS Public Affairs, the EPDG launch during OBN's flagship BioTrinity Biopartnering and Investor Conference. We have been able to bring in a focus group of senior representatives from the international investor community, BioTrinity conference attendees, to take part in the opening debate. Going forward, we will draw experts from this group to form the OBN Investment Special Interest Group, interfacing with EPDG and representing the interests of emerging companies to government in similar future initiatives and forums."

EPDG Chair Dr William Brooks comments, "Shortage of finance for emerging companies is not a new problem. Without revising policy tools and adjusting its current financing measures, the European Union will fail to translate R&D innovation into its full potential, negatively impacting both its economic future and its citizens' health. We hope that this series of planned high-level debates, engaging industry stakeholders and funders with EU officials, will uncover novel ways to shape the role of the EU's financing mechanisms, help early stage companies get their products to market and become self-sustaining."

The EPDG initiative is managed by LOGOS Public Affairs, Brussels. Further details are available to download here http://www.logos-eu.com/documents/EPDG Briefing Note.pdf.

About OBN 

OBN is the membership organisation supporting and bringing together the UK's emerging life sciences companies, corporate partners and investors. Our Membership of over 300 companies, spread across the Golden Triangle (formed by the cities of Oxford, Cambridge and London) and beyond to Nottingham, Manchester and Scotland, benefits from tailored networking and partnering events, group purchasing, advice, consultancy and advocacy.  

OBN founded and produces BioTrinity, Europe's Leading Biopartnering and Investment Conference for emerging companies. Attracting around 1,000 senior delegates from Europe, Asia and North America, BioTrinity generates more R&D company-to-investor interactions than any similar European event.  

For further information on OBN and its activities, visit: http://www.obn.org.uk. To find out more about BioTrinity, visit http://www.biotrinity.com.

About LOGOS Public Affairs 

LOGOS is a Public Affairs, Association Management and Stakeholder dialogue company, part of the MCI Group family. The integration of LOGOS into MCI Group creates a unique mix of expertise to support European and International organisations in Brussels and in Europe with their Public Affairs, Association, Communications and Event Management needs.

LOGOS Public Affairs is a member of the European Public Affairs Consultancies Association. We have signed the EPACA Code of Conduct.

Find out more about our team and services at: http://www.logos-eu.com.

Contacts
OBN
Jon Rees, CEO
Tel: +44(0)845-5049-722 or +44(0)7795-233883
Email: jon.rees@obn.org.uk

For media interview requests contact:
Val Tate, Director of Communications
Tel: +44(0)7770-766546
Email: val.tate@obn.org.uk

Logos Public Affairs
Kathrin Ludwig, EPDG Project Manager
Tel: +32-493-853-815
Email: kathrin.ludwig@logos-eu.com

Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Sita Shah/Janine Hagan
Tel: +44(0)20-7638-9571
Email:  Sita.Shah@citigatedr.co.uk /Janine.Hagan@citigatedr.co.uk