National Institute for Biological Standards and Control joins Health Protection Agency

1 April 2009

Dr Stephen Inglis, Director of NIBSC, said, "The addition of NIBSC will enhance and provide a more coordinated approach to safeguarding the health of the UK public. Our main duty – to protect public health through supporting the safe development and use of biological medicines such as vaccines and products made from blood and tissues – will continue and be bolstered by the merger with the HPA."

NIBSC is a world renowned institute and a world leader in the standardisation and control of biological medicines such as vaccines – ensuring they are safe and effective not only for the UK population but people around the world. The Institute produces over 90% of the world's international standards for these vital products and distributes them globally. It is also the UK's Official Medicines Control Laboratory responsible for independent testing of biological medicines produced by the pharmaceutical industry to make sure they meet the required specifications.

NIBSC is home to the UK Stem Cell Bank, the CJD and Influenza Resource Centres, and the Centre for AIDS reagents, and it has a vital role in supporting global research and development into innovative medicines for the prevention and treatment of some of the world's most dangerous and debilitating diseases. 

Justin McCracken, Chief Executive of the Health Protection Agency, said: "The National Institute for Biological Standards and Control has a well deserved international reputation for excellence and its merger with the HPA will extend the UK's capacity to tackle the threats to our health – whether it is helping towards the development of an innovative treatment for Parkinson's disease or playing a leading part in global efforts to tackle a ferocious new threat such as pandemic flu. 

"NIBSC's unique position – as an interface between the pharmaceutical industry, academic research, healthcare and public health and regulators – is a welcome addition to the HPA which will further strengthen the UK's science base."

-Ends-

Notes for editors:

1. The Health and Social Care Act 2008, stated that the National Biological Standards Board is to be abolished, with its functions, carried out since 1976 by NIBSC, being transferred to the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

2. The Health Protection Agency is an independent UK organisation that was set up by the government in 2003 to protect the public from threats to their health from infectious diseases and environmental hazards. It does this by providing advice and information to the general public, to health professionals such as doctors and nurses, and to national and local government. More information can be found on its website: www.hpa.org.uk

3. The National Institute for Biological Standards and Control is a world leader in preparing, evaluating and distributing International Biological Standards and other biological reference materials. More information can be found at www.nibsc.ac.uk

4. For further information on this press release please contact the Health Protection Agency's Centre for Infections press office on:

Alexandra Baker  020 8327 7098
David Daley  020 8327 6647
Georgina Fletcher 020 8327 6690
Louise Brown  020 8327 7080
Kate Swan  020 8327 7097

Last reviewed: 1 April 2009