Advising on best practice for communicating R&D progress to the public and to investors

Simmons & Simmons has advised the UK BioIndustry Association, the trade association for the British bioscience industry, alongside financial communications firms Consilium Strategic Communications and Instinctif Partners, on a new best practice guide for communicating Research & Development (R&D) progress to the public and to investors.

The best practice guide has been produced in consultation with the trade association's membership and the investment community. It contains best practice principles that both public and private bioscience companies should follow to enable high-quality communications. The BIA guide is designed to help bioscience companies meet sector best practice and communicate their R&D clearly and effectively to investors and the public.

Drawing on extensive experience in advising bioscience companies on financing R&D, protecting and commercialising intellectual property and IPOs, where clear and consistent communication to a range of stakeholders is critical, the firm provided guidance on navigating best practice in communications complimenting legal and governance compliance. The advice to the BIA was led by Charles Mayo, supported by corporate associates Tim Wass and Federica Titon.

The firm's involvement in the BIA guide comes at a time when Simmons & Simmons has advised on a series of  life sciences sector flotations and a series of innovative, collective R&D funding arrangements in the life sciences sector, as well as acquisitions, royalty monetisations and other life sciences transactions.

Commenting on the BIA guide, Charles Mayo said: "The bioscience sector is highlighted as a key sector for UK growth within the Government's Industrial Strategy. High standards of communications will be integral to that growth. The BIA  guide complements legal and governance compliance, gives practical guidance for clear and effective communications and enables bioscience companies to meet high standards of communications.”