Robert Hewitt founder of Biosample Hub looks at the problems biotechs have in accessing samples within NHS biobanks and what can be done to improve collaboration between the NHS and industry.
Three years ago, the annual report from the Medicines Discovery Catapult came up with a shocking finding. A survey conducted by the organisation found that 80% of SMEs (small to medium sized biotechs) found accessing samples from the NHS ‘unexpectedly difficult with the result that 75% imported samples from abroad’.