At a VIP reception held with the UK Department for Business and Trade during BIO 2026 in San Diego, Genomics welcomed more than 100 senior biotech and pharmaceutical leaders for an evening celebrating UK life sciences and showcasing the agentic AI capabilities of Mystra AI.
Celebrating UK life sciences in San Diego
“Genomics are better than The Beatles,” said Steve Bates OBE FMedSci, Executive Chair of the Office for Life Sciences, during opening remarks at our VIP reception in San Diego on 24 June 2026.
Held during BIO 2026 in partnership with the Department for Business and Trade, the event brought together more than 100 senior leaders from across the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.
Health Minister Preet Kaur Gill delivered the welcome address, highlighting the strength of the UK life sciences sector and the contribution made by companies such as Genomics to the UK, the global economy, and society.
Steve Bates then reflected on the wider life sciences ecosystem and the role Genomics plays within it. Drawing on The Beatles’ status as an innovative, world-leading British export, he compared the ambitions and international potential of Genomics with those of the legendary group.
Referencing the reception venue, Steve added: “This is a company that rocks hard.”
Showcasing Mystra AI
Guests also received an exclusive demonstration of the agentic AI capabilities within Mystra AI, our human genetics platform for drug target discovery and validation.
David Thornton, President at Genomics, provided an overview of how Mystra AI makes powerful genetic insights more accessible across pharmaceutical and biotechnology research and development.
By combining Genomics’ extensive human genotype-phenotype data resource, proprietary analytical methods, and agentic AI capabilities, Mystra AI helps scientists investigate and validate potential drug targets with greater speed, transparency, and confidence.
The demonstration offered attendees an opportunity to see how conversational AI and human genetic evidence can support decision-making throughout drug discovery and development.
Bringing the UK life sciences community together
We would like to thank the UK Government, the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Department for Business and Trade, UK Business and Trade - North America, the BioIndustry Association, and the British Consulate-General Los Angeles for their support.
Special thanks also go to Lewis Brien, Anna Farias, Prakash Thakur, Nathan Frankwick, Ellie Markham, Leonie Williams, and the wider team whose work made the reception possible.
Finally, thank you to our on-site team in San Diego: David Thornton, Alexandra Fish, Gerald Dunstan, David Foster-Key, David Walker, Clare Killick-Cole, Rebecca Franks, Zuzanna Grzeskiewicz, and Flynn Samuel.
