DLRC’s 2024 Impact: Sustainability, Education & Community

DLRC is committed to creating positive change through sustainable initiatives in charity, education, biotech innovation, and community wellbeing. Throughout 2024, we’ve achieved significant milestones, including the publication of our first Sustainable Impact Report. This comprehensive report showcases our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) achievements across four key areas: Environmental, Clients and Community, Our Team, and Governance.

Our dedication to sustainable growth is reflected in every project we undertake. Not only have we built strong partnerships with local schools and Mission 44 to boost educational opportunities, but we’ve also expanded our support for innovation through key programmes. These include our involvement with VITAL Accelerator Hub in the US and the Discovery Sparks programme in the UK, where we’ve helped shape the future of biotech start-ups. Meanwhile, our team has organised impactful charity events to help those in need and hosted expert-led wellbeing talks to promote healthier lifestyles within our community.

Supporting Biotech Innovation

We’re actively helping shape the future of healthcare through our work with emerging biotech companies. A key highlight of this commitment is our involvement with Accelerator Hub, VITAL – a BARDA BAN Hub that drives the development of next-generation therapeutic and vaccine technologies.

Greg Dombal, President of DLRC’s US office, recently led an interactive FDA regulatory strategy session for ten innovative companies in the VITAL program. The workshop covered essential topics for biotech startups, including:

• Strategic approaches to INTERACT Meetings
• Guidance on special FDA designations
• Best practices for agency engagement
• Integration of regulatory expertise in growing teams

Drawing from DLRC’s extensive experience in collaborative work with both the FDA and innovative clients, Greg shared valuable insights on effective sponsor-agency relationships. As a strategic regulatory advisor to the VITAL cohort, he continues to help pioneering companies align their regulatory strategies with business goals.

Empowering Tomorrow’s Life Science Leaders at Discovery Park

We partnered with Discovery Park’s innovative Discovery Sparks programme to help new life sciences and tech startups reach their potential. Our expert team, including Liz Morgan (Principal Regulatory Consultant), Kadi Kuuskmae-Perry (Senior Regulatory Consultant), and Emily Abel (Regulatory Associate), delivered personalised sessions in Kent for these emerging companies.

The comprehensive seven-week programme included:

• One-to-one regulatory guidance sessions
• Workshops on medical device classification
• Training on effective authority engagement
• Business pitch development support

As part of our ongoing commitment to nurturing UK biotech talent, DLRC’s CEO Dianne Lee joined the pitch day judging panel. During this event, participating companies showcased their business plans and demonstrated their newly acquired skills.

Through this successful partnership with Discovery Park, we helped shape the next generation of life sciences innovation. Our expert guidance supported these promising start-ups in navigating regulatory requirements while building strong foundations for growth.

Charity Impact

Our charitable initiatives have made a significant difference in 2024. We’ve proudly supported ten leading charities:

• Age UK
• Blue Cross
• Linda Norgrove Foundation
• Garden House Hospice
• Mind
• Macmillan
• Herts and Essex Air Ambulance
• Herts Young Homeless
• Movember
• Crisis

Through engaging fundraising activities, we’ve raised over £9,800. These activities included a step competition, raffle, “Are You Smarter Than a 10-Year-Old?” quiz, and bake sale. In our continued support of Garden House Hospice, we donated over 14,000 Cadbury’s Creme Eggs to the Charlie Chick Campaign, contributing to their impressive total of £20,250.

Educational Initiatives

STEM Career Development

Our commitment to encouraging young people in STEM careers has strengthened throughout 2024. We’ve implemented several key programmes to support this mission.

Mission 44 Partnership

Working alongside Hertfordshire County Council Services for Young People, we’ve delivered impactful workshops through Mission 44, an initiative founded by Lewis Hamilton. This programme aims to create a more inclusive education system and expand STEM employment opportunities. Our involvement included:

• Participating in the STEM Careers Challenge at Hertfordshire Development Centre
• Engaging with 55 students from four local schools
• Sharing professional insights with Year 9 students
• Conducting employability skills workshops focusing on job application soft skills

Local School Engagement

Our partnership with Knights Templar School in Baldock has deepened this year. We’ve provided:

• Interview skills workshops for 140 Year 12 students
• Work experience placements for three Year 10 students
• Career development opportunities for three Year 12 students

Professional Career Events

We’ve expanded our reach through various career events:

• Generation Stevenage: Connecting local youth with STEM opportunities
• Hitchin Girls School careers fair: Promoting regulatory affairs pathways
• TOPRA Regulatory Careers Live in London: Engaging with 180 students and professionals

Sustainable Impact Report

A major milestone in our sustainability journey is the launch of DLRC’s first Sustainable Impact Report, developed in partnership with SustainableX. The comprehensive report highlights our dedication to sustainable practices through four essential pillars: Environmental, Clients and Community, Our Team, and Governance. Setting ourselves apart in the regulatory affairs sector, we’re one of the few small and medium enterprises (SMEs) choosing to voluntarily report on ESG initiatives.

Wellbeing Programmes

Our commitment to health and wellbeing has been demonstrated through monthly expert-led health talks. In 2024, we delivered 11 comprehensive sessions covering crucial topics including:

• Exercise as Medicine
• Blood and Organ Donation Awareness
• Autism Awareness
• Five-Gyne Cancers
• Domestic Abuse Awareness
• PCOS Education
• Financial Wellbeing
• Eating Disorders Understanding

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we reflect on 2024’s achievements, we’re proud of our impact across charity, education, and wellbeing sectors. Our collaboration with local schools and Mission 44 has strengthened educational opportunities and STEM initiatives. Through targeted charity events and wellbeing workshops, we’ve provided vital community support and fostered greater health awareness.

For more detailed information about our initiatives and to read our first Impact Report, visit our ESG page.