Future proofing bio bank policies

Background

A pharmaceutical company has a reputation for social awareness, and was concerned that its bio bank policies should reflect this. Bio banks store specimens from donors – blood, cells, etc. Were the policies best practice? Who are the role models?

We worked with Article13 to establish best practice and role models.

The Findings

During reviews of the literature and discussion with a range of stakeholders and influencers in relation to bio bank policies, we arrived at three key findings:

• The company, in common with most of the industry, regarded bio banks as the preserve of R&D

• There was a high probability that bio banks would become a focus of public interest with resultant pressure on corporate reputation

• There is a strong trend towards national or international bio banks, seen as a public good, which calls into question the role of corporate bio banks.