Women In Biotech: Report Celebrates Britain's Female Life Science Entrepreneurs

Described by the UK government as “a jewel in the crown” of the economy, Britain's life science sector boasts an annual turnover of £30bn and employs around 70,000 people across 380 companies. And in the government's view – as laid out in its strategy for the sector – this is an industry where the UK can establish a leadership position, particularly in the emerging field of harnessing genomic data. It's also an industry where startups and early are expected to play an important role in driving innovation . And according to BioBeat, an organisation established in 2012 to bring “fresh energy and growth” to the sector, women are set to play a vital and transformational within the industry. On the face of it, bio-science is a male dominated industry, at least at the most senior levels. According to a survey by the UK BioIndustry Association, only half of its member companies have female representation on the board. So while the industry is attractive to women, the report indicates that very few are completing the journey right to the top. But that's not the whole story. Last week BioBeat published its second 50 Movers and Shakers Report, compiled to highlight the achievements of inspirational women working within life sciences. The results are illuminating. Out of the fifty women celebrated by the report, almost half – 23 to be precise – are entrepreneurs who have founded their own companies.