Medilink Midlands Innovation Day will welcome the medtech and life sciences community to Coventry to share the latest inspiring developments from across the sector.
Taking place on Thursday 3 October, this year we are collaborating with a new venue, Coventry Building Society Arena, to offer more exhibitors, more networking and more opportunities.
Secure your free delegate ticket. Sales close on 26 September:
Overview
Programme
Workshops
Exhibitors
Host
Speakers
Sponsors
Overview
Our annual flagship event, Innovation Day welcomes over 250 guests, presenters and exhibitors for a full day of networking and engagement, specifically for those in the life sciences and medtech sectors.
Year on year we see the innovation focused event grow and for 2024 we have secured a larger venue to accommodate the increase in visitors, and exhibition space (up to 50 stands are available).
An event renowned for attracting innovators, businesses, academics and suppliers from the medtech life sciences sector, looking to expand their knowledge and opportunities amongst the network of innovation driven exhibitors and attendees.
We know from delegate feedback, the exhibition zone along with the extensive networking opportunities is a key motive for their return each year. With this in mind, we have allocated additional networking opportunities around the conference programme to facilitate conversations and ignite future partnerships.
Innovation Day is the place to network and do business.
The full day event includes:
- A conference of high-profile sector specific inspiring speakers
- An exhibition
- Networking opportunities
- Knowledge building
Centrally located the event pulls together academics, clinicians and businesses to come together at this renowned event to share ideas/network and forge partnerships.
Delegate Attendance is free of charge, online registration is open and essential, please select the ‘Book Now’ button above to book. Sales close on 26 September.
Programme
Time | Agenda item | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
9am | Registration & Exhibition
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9.30am | Welcome & Introductions
| Sue Saville, Host & TV news journalist
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9.40am | Medilink Midlands – The Voice of Industry | Melanie Davidson, Chief Executive Officer at Medilink Midlands
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9.50am | WMHTIA Success Stories
Plus, the launch of the Medilink Midlands 2025 Awards! | Chaired by Dr Benjamin Roberts, Innovation Adviser at Medilink Midlands
Dr Magdalena Karlikowska, CEO, Cytecom Dr Ali Al-khattawi, CEO, MESOX Davinder Sidhu, Finance Director, Black Space Technology Chris Dyke, Head of Connectivity, Medilink Midlands |
10.15am | The New Momentum for Innovation | Professor Dean Fathers DL, Chair, at Midlands Engine Health, Care and Life Science Board |
10.30am | WORKSHOP: IP and Contracts: Creating value not chaos | Dr Lisa Page, Partner, IP, IT and Commercial at Penningtons Manches Cooper |
11am | Refreshments, Exhibition & Networking | |
11.25am | Medilink Midlands Innovation Programme Launch |
Christian Kumar, Entrepreneur in Residence at Medilink Midlands
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11.40am | Venture Capital Reverse Pitching Session | Moderated by Christian Kumar, welcoming the following guests:
Erki Moulder – Verge Fund, Estonia Daniel Gaize – Midven Amanda Marie Cardinale – Midlands MindForge Luke Pulford – Minerva Angels |
12.20pm | NIHR offer to the Life Sciences and MedTech Funding | Dr Helen Compton, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Innovation Programmes at NIHR Coordinating Centre |
12.40pm | WORKSHOP: Tips on marketing for the Life Sciences sector | Jocelyn Braithwaite, Account Manager and Head of PR at V Formation |
1pm | Lunch, Exhibition & Networking | |
1.45pm | Navigating the Healthcare Innovation Ecosystem through the NHS Innovation Service | Gemma Snell, Needs Assessment Lead at NHS Innovation Service |
2pm | Title TBC | Dr Michael Watts, NHS Innovation Accelerator Fellow & NHS England Clinical Entrepreneur & Mentor |
2.20pm | UHCW Multiomics Clinical Research Hub – development & research potential | Sean James, Biobank Operational Lead
Emma Braybrook, Lead Scientist – Multi-Omics Research Laboratory Dimitris Grammatopoulos, Consultant in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Diagnostics at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust |
2.40pm | WORKSHOP: From Trials to Triumphs: Demystifying the West Midlands Health and Care Innovation Pathway | Tammy Holmes, Associate Director, Commercial and Business Development at Health Innovation West Midlands |
3.10pm | Refreshments, Exhibition & Networking | |
3.30pm | WORKSHOP: The LSI Register – Why It’s Needed, How it Works & Why You Should Use It | Clive Powell, Academy for Healthcare Science Advisor at the Life Science Industry |
3.50pm | Displacing single-use medical plastics with seaweed | Olivia Simpson, Chief Operations Officer at FlexSea |
4.05pm | Making sustainability a commercial advantage through design and innovation | Rich Shaw, Sustainability and Commercial Lead at Pd-m |
4.20pm | Approaching the US Market: Strategies and Observations | Kevin D Malecek, Director, Economic Development and International Trade at City of Mentor, Ohio |
4.30pm | Closing remarks | Prof Martin Levermore MBE DL, Chair at Medilink Midlands |
4.45pm | Event close |
Workshops
IP and Contracts: Creating value not chaos
10:30am – 11:00am
Dr Lisa Page, Partner, IP, IT and Commercial at Penningtons Manches Cooper
A focused introduction to intellectual property and contracting, which will be particularly helpful for early-stage life science companies.
We all know that protecting IP and entering into well negotiated contracts is vital to the success of an early-stage business. But where do you start? How do you contract for maximum growth and innovation?
If you want the low down on everything involved with protecting your valuable IP , such as trade marks, logos, know–how, trade secrets, patents, design rights, and what contracts you might need to protect it all- this is the session for you.
The workshop will cover:
- There are so many different types of IP – it’s hard enough to figure out what they all are, let alone which ones are a priority for your company. What IP protection do you need? And how do you go about applying for all these different types of IP?
- You’ve got investors interested in your company, but they’re wanting to get a better understanding of your IP. What should be going into your NDAs to ensure that you’ve got a strong handle on protecting the confidentiality of your IP and know-how?
- If you’re a university spin-out, then you’re unlikely to have ownership of all the IP you need to develop and grow your company. What kind of licence agreement should you expect from the university? How can you be sure that you’ve got the rights you need to give investors’ confidence in your start-up?
- Your start-up is only growing from here on out. There are going to be other people, employees and contractors and consultants, helping in the development of the business and perhaps the development of the IP. How can you be sure that no one else ends up with a claim to your IP? What should go into your out-sourcing agreements and consultancy agreements to make sure you retain ownership and control of your IP?
Tips on Marketing for the Life Sciences Sector
12:40pm – 1pm
Jocelyn Braithwaite, Account Manager and Head of PR at V Formation
Content to follow
From Trials to Triumphs: Demystifying the West Midlands Health and Care Innovation Pathway
2:40pm – 3:10pm
Tammy Holmes, Associate Director for Commercial and Business Development at Health Innovation West Midlands
This will provide an overview of the structure of the NHS, provide examples of how ICB’s are working together to innovate, introduce our bayer parentship to introduce collaborations into the system and then provide some examples of where this has been successful.
The LSI Register – Why It’s Needed, How it Works & Why You Should Use It
3:30pm – 3:50pm
Clive Powell, Academy for Healthcare Science Advisor at the Life Science Industry
This session will describe the general benefits of a national register for life science industry staff visiting health care facilities. It will provide background and a description of the LSI Register’s essential features and some of the specific benefits to life science industry companies. Finally, the presentation will look to the future and what is being done to drive recognition and uptake of the LSI Register by the NHS.
With thanks to our Workshop Sponsors. Read more about the presenters by clicking the Speakers tab.
Exhibitors
Exhibition Stands
During Innovation Day there were ample networking opportunities and time to visit the wide range of exhibitors that joined us this year. To find out about each exhibitor, please see the listings below.
Exhibition stands are now fully booked.
Company Logo | Company Name | Company Info | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Accelerate Associates | Accelerate Associates is a marketing and market research consultancy specialising in the medical device, life sciences and laboratory supplies markets. | www.accelerate-associates.co.uk |
 | Adamson Jones, part of Gateley | A longstanding Patron of Medilink Midlands, Adamson Jones have a proud history of helping UK businesses in medical technology and life sciences harness the value of their intellectual property. | www.adamson-jones.co.uk |
 | ALM Translations | ALM Translations provides specialist Life Science and Med-Tech translations and creative digital marketing services. Utilising industry technology, ALM supports its customers with the tools they need to achieve overseas success. | www.almtranslations.com |
 | Amies Innovation | ISO 13485 accredited medical injection moulding specialist, with extensive experience supporting innovative companies to develop their product designs and establish cleanroom or standard manufacture in a wide range of thermoplastics. | www.amiesinnovation.co.uk |
 | BSI | At BSI, we understand the challenges manufacturers face in bringing compliant products to market efficiently with absolute safety for patients. As a leading full scope EU Notified Body and UK Approved Body, we strive to set the global standard through conducting impartial, responsive, robust, and thorough conformity assessments, evaluations and certifications that are recognized and trusted worldwide. | www.bsigroup.com |
 | ChangeXtra | ChangeXtra is passionate about empowering women through positive change. We are creators of the Pausetrack app – a health tracking and education tool to help women understand peri-menopause. | www.changextra.co.uk |
 | CHEATA and CHT | The Centre for Healthcare Technologies (CHT) brings together the University of Nottingham, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and CHEATA, creating a translational pathway from science to clinical application, to accelerate healthcare adoption of technology. | www.nuh.nhs.uk/cheata |
 | Coauthor | Coauthor is a compliance assistant that eases the pain of IEC 62304 for software developers building medical devices. No last-minute surprises before regulatory submission with a smart Continuous Compliance approach. | www.coauthor.app |
 | Cohesion Studios | Cohesion Studios develops visually compelling video and animation projects that effectively communicate precise messaging for the med-tech, pharmaceutical and biotech medical industries. | www.cohesionstudios.com |
 | De Montfort University | An applied university with strengths in public health, healthcare training and pharmacy, DMU can help with professional development courses or research to develop your organisation. | www.dmu.ac.uk |
 | Forresters | Forresters is a leading intellectual property (IP) firm that works with businesses to protect their key product offerings by securing IP protection for them. | www.forresters-ip.com |
 | Gallagher | Gallagher provides Insurance for the Life Sciences industry including cover for clinical
trials, risk management and crisis containment. Their insurance for new life science
companies offers comprehensive and specialist coverage at competitive rates and they can
also offer an exclusive, broad package of insurance for clinical trials. | www.ajg.com/uk |
 | Guardtech Group | The Guardtech Group provide a range of cleanroom services through five divisions – Guardtech Cleanrooms (modular), Cleanroom Solutions (turnkey), CleanCube (portable solutions), Isopod Rapid Cleanrooms (quick assembly) and Isoblok (pre-configured units). | www.guardtech.com |
 | Health Innovation East Midlands | Health Innovation East Midlands and Health Innovation West Midlands are 2 of 15 Health Innovation Networks across England – operating as the innovation arm of the NHS. Brings together partners from health and care, patients, research, third sector and industry – to identify, test and spread new technologies and better ways of working | www.healthinnovation-em.org.uk |
 | Health Innovation West Midlands | We aim to save the NHS money, generate economic growth, empower health and care staff, and improve the experience and outcomes for patients. | www.healthinnovationwestmidlands.org |
 | Health Tech Enterprise | Health Tech Enterprise is health technology consultancy that works with innovators to bring to market new medical technologies and services that deliver patient benefit. | www.healthtechenterprise.co.uk |
 | Hope Against Cancer | Hope Against Cancer supports cutting edge research and clinical trials in Leicestershire and Rutland. | www.hopeagainstcancer.org.uk |
 | IMed Consultancy | IMed Consultancy offers a wide range of expert services to the global medical and health technology industry, enabling clients to drive innovation, improve patient care and outcomes worldwide. | www.imedconsultancy.com |
 | Inventya | Inventya is a leading innovation consultancy with over a decade of experience helping businesses at every stage of their growth journey. We have particular expertise in medtech innovation. | www.inventya.com |
 | JensonR+ | JensonR+ offer services in regulatory affairs, quality assurance and pharmacovigilance across the healthcare product lifecycle.
Embracing innovation and building strong partnerships to enable clients to bring their products to users. | www.jensonr.com |
 | Medilink Midlands | Medilink Midlands helps companies in the life sciences industry establish, develop and grow; through our business support, connectivity and collaboration. | www.medilinkmidlands.com |
 | Med-Tech Innovation Expo | Med-Tech Innovation Expo event brings together leaders, engineers, innovators and manufacturers, connecting them with technology and innovation to facilitate the design and manufacture of life changing medical devices. | www.med-techexpo.com |
 | National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) | The NBIC merges world-class interdisciplinary research with industry partnerships to advance biofilm science and technology. We aim to establish a pioneering national centre by uniting the initial core partner universities (Edinburgh, Liverpool, Nottingham, and Southampton) and a partnership that has now expanded to include 59 research institutions and over 260 companies. | www.biofilms.ac.uk |
 | OxDevice | Design and manufacturing solutions for medical devices, ISO 13485:2016 certified. Fully equipped laboratories and class-7 cleanrooms with highly qualified engineers and technicians guiding your product from concept to full production.
| www.oxdevice.com |
 | Pd-m | Pd-m is an innovation and sustainability consultancy working within healthtech and life sciences sector, developing products with purpose, that are commercially successful and support a net zero future. | www.pd-m.com |
| Penningtons Manches Cooper | A leading UK and international law firm providing high quality legal advice and expertise, tailored to innovative life sciences businesses. | www.penningtonslaw.com |
 | R A Labone | Labone specialises in injection moulding, metal pressing, insert moulding and assembly to ISO13485 approved processes. We have class 7/8 cleanrooms and have recently completed an expansion at our Derby site. | www.ralabone.co.uk |
 | Renfrew Group International | Renfrew Group International is a medical device design, development and prototyping company, geared towards rapid commercialisation of marketable product. Based in the East Midlands, we focus on successfully taking the science from the lab to the market. | www.renfrewgroup.com |
 | Smallfry | For many years, Smallfry has worked at the leading edge of science and technology to develop innovative Medical Devices. Our expertise lies in applying human factors, usability, engineering, and innovation. | www.smallfry.com |
 | TBAT Innovation | TBAT Innovation is a consultancy firm specialising in helping businesses fund their innovation, offering support in Grants, R&D Tax Credits, and much more. | www.tbat.co.uk |
 | The Open University | The Open University’s research community conduct a wide range of world-class research and innovation which has impact in the real world and deep into space. We aim to unlock new opportunities to engage with businesses and facilitate innovation. | www.open.ac.uk |
 | University of Warwick | The University of Warwick offers cutting-edge equipment and technical expertise to support research and development across all areas of biological science. External users from industry and academia can access our facilities via Warwick Scientific Services (WSS). | www.warwick.ac.uk |
 | West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA) | The West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA) provides companies access to services and expertise that are pivotal in critically developing technologies and driving them towards market access. | www.wmhtia.com |
Host
 | Sue SavilleSue Saville is a highly-experienced Conference Moderator, Webinar Facilitator, Podcast Host, Awards Host and Media Trainer, specialising in health. She was the Medical Correspondent at ITV News for many years, as well as a BBC TV News Reporter and Chief Correspondent at GMTV. Sue also makes corporate films with ITN Business, mostly in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. Sue hosts podcasts and webinars for the European Medical Journal and is the Lay Chair of the Patient-Public Engagement Group for Cardiovascular and Respiratory care at Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London. Events that Sue has hosted recently include the 2-day MedTech Europe Forum in Vienna; a Cardio-Vascular Conference on patient perspectives of waiting lists; the celebratory final event of the IMI EU PEARL project; the DRIVE vaccines roundtable in Brussels; a podcast on Primary Biliary Cholangitis; a series of 4 video-podcasts on contraceptive innovation; a webinar on the IMI Promise initiative on RSV; a conference in Brussels on the new HTA regulations; a live-streamed programme on the value of exercise to prevent cancer; the Delivery Conference in London; two events at the European Parliament on toxic chemicals; the European Federation of Dieticians event in Budapest; three sessions at the European Health Forum Gastein, including for EPFIA; and the Medilink Midlands Innovation Day, among many other events. Sue speaks French and German and has an MA from the University of Oxford. |
Speakers
 | Melanie Davidson, CEO of Medilink Midlands | Melanie brings a background of industrial research and business development from West Pharmaceutical Service’s Drug Delivery Division. She also broadens our bioscience reach having studied Animal Science at The University of Nottingham. Before joining Medilink, Melanie gained valuable experience in economic development and international investment at the East Midlands Development Agency (emda).
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 | Dr Benjamin Roberts, Innovation Adviser at Medilink Midlands | Ben joined Medilink in 2022 as an Innovation Adviser in the West Midlands, after graduating with a PhD in Biomedical Research at the University of Warwick. Ben is utilising his knowledge currently in delivering activity under the West Midlands AHSN industry gateway. With a particular focus on sustainability, he aims to support SMEs in the health and life science sector on their journey to Net Zero.
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 | Dr Magdalena Karlikowska, CEO at Cytecom | Magdalena holds a PhD in microbiology from the University of Warwick and 9+ years of academic and industry research experience in microbiology, diagnostics, and clinical trials. Alongside her academic pursuits, Magdalena has extended her influence in the field by providing strategy consulting services to NGOs and actively engaging in public health outreach initiatives in Kenya. As the CEO of Cytecom, a University of Warwick spinout, Magdalena is leading the development of an innovative diagnostic test that shortens the time for targeted antibiotic therapy selection from days to minutes, ensuring safer and more effective treatment. Passionate about advancing healthcare solutions, her work aims to improve patient outcomes globally.
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 | Dr Ali Al-khattawi, CEO of MESOX | Ali is the Founder and CEO of MESOX, a pharmaceutical company transforming medicine formulation with advanced carrier technologies. As a co-inventor of MESOX’s core technologies, Ali brings expertise in nano-carriers and drug development. After witnessing inefficiencies in pharmaceutical formulation—where processes are often slow and wasteful, and many drugs fail due to bioavailability challenges—he founded MESOX in 2021 as a spin-off from Aston University to address these issues.
Since its inception, MESOX has secured millions in grants, won NHS contracts, attracted top experts, and developed a promising pipeline of new treatments. Ali’s vision is to grow MESOX into a global, research-driven pharmaceutical company, accelerating sustainable medicine development and improving access to life-saving treatments.
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 | Davinder Sidhu, Finance Director at Black Space Technology | Davinder, a chartered certified accountant, has been managing the finances of Black Space Technology since its incorporation in 2018. His background includes finance management roles across sectors like architecture, radio, and medical software, where he has overseen day-to-day financial operations. His roles include business partnering and providing commercial finance support to teams working on projects for local governments, universities, and the NHS.
Based in Birmingham, Black Space Technology specialises in developing telemedicine solutions for pre-hospital emergency care in remote and challenging environments. The main product, ‘Rapid-EPR’, combines an electronic patient record system with wireless vital sign monitoring and telemedicine videoconferencing.
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 | Chris Dyke, Head of Connectivity at Medilink Midlands
| Chris has been with Medilink since its start in 2002. Chris has enjoyed seeing the company evolve and grow in this time and playing a pivotal role in its business profile. Chris’ knowledge within the healthcare sector is invaluable and his connections throughout the life sciences and med tech communities assists patrons and members strengthen their foundations for growth.
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 | Professor Dean Fathers DL, Chair, Midlands Engine Health, Care and Life Science Board
| Dean has held numerous senior appointments across the health, care and life science sector.
As well as being Chair of the Midlands Engine Health, Care and Life Science Board Dean is also Chair of an NHS Health Innovation Network, a Non-Executive Director of the Academy for Health Care Science (where he chairs the Academy’s Life Science Task and Finish Group), the Independent Chair of Quality Safety and Risk at Voyage Care and a Non-Executive Director on the Board of the Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman, where he chairs the Quality Committee. Dean is also an advisor to digital health organisations ATMPS, Blum Health, CAL International, Cerina Health, KLIP Global, NeedleSmart and Oxehealth.
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 | Dr Lisa Page, Partner, IP, IT and Commercial at Penningtons Manches Cooper
| Lisa is a partner in the intellectual property team in Birmingham who specialises in the life sciences sector. With a client base ranging from pharmaceutical companies to biotech start-ups and spin-outs, she advises on all stages of the innovation pathway including regulatory, pre-clinical and clinical development, outsourcing agreement with CDMOs as well as on multi-party collaborations and spin-outs. She has particular experience in the development stage of new products, covering pipeline, co-development, out-licensing and in-licensing arrangements. Lisa has a PhD in molecular microbiology and direct practical experience of working in the pharmaceutical industry before re-training as a solicitor.
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 | Christian Kumar, Entrepreneur in Residence at Medilink Midlands
| Christian, a seasoned professional, transitioned from a successful career in investment banking to become a trailblazing innovator and lecturer. In 2019, he established the MedTech Makers Lab, pioneering pathways for global medical technology innovations to thrive in the Midlands. Christian imparts his expertise as an innovation management instructor at six universities spanning five countries and facilitates acceleration labs throughout the EU. His teachings cover strategic roadmapping and funding strategies, empowering companies to navigate the dynamic landscape of innovation. With a passion for transforming ideas into reality, Christian continues to shape the future of MedTech and innovation worldwide.
Christian will be moderating a Venture Capitalist (VC) Reverse Pitching Session. It will be a fantastic opportunity to reverse the tables and allow innovators to fire questions at leading VCs in the medical and health tech space. |
 | Dr Helen Compton, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Innovation Programmes, NIHR coordinating centre
| Helen joined the NIHR in 2016 to lead on stakeholder engagement activity with the charity and med tech communities and provide leadership and delivery for a number of high profile strategic and operational projects across NIHR. Helen helps charities and med tech SMEs engage and develop fruitful collaborations with the NIHR and wider life sciences ecosystem and regularly interacts with other system support organisations. She is an innovation advisory board member to CW Innovation, the partnership between Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust and the Trust’s hospital charity, CW+ and is a member of the West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator Grants Committee as well as participating in cross health ecosystem groups providing tailored advice to academics, clinicians and SMEs about med tech product development.
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 | Jocelyn Braithwaite, Account Manager and Head of PR at V Formation
| Jocelyn currently heads up the PR services at V Formation, an integrated marketing and PR agency founded in 2007 and based in Nottingham.
V Formation work with ambitious organisations and individuals to deliver insight and advice that adds real value to clients, from strategy development and planning through to hands-on implementation and ongoing outsourced support.
V Formation collaborates with various sectors and possesses extensive expertise in life sciences. We work closely with CROs, research and drug development consultancies, as well as industry groups like Medilink Midlands. Our services include marketing, digital marketing, and public relations support, either acting as an extension of our clients’ internal marketing teams or serving as their dedicated marketing department.
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 | Gemma Snell, Needs Assessment Lead at NHS Innovation Service
| Gemma leads the Needs Assessment Service function of the NHS Innovation Service working with colleagues in Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria to assess the needs of innovators wishing to enter or develop within the NHS.
Gemma has a background of working as part of networks, initially the Cardiovascular and Stroke Networks in London seeing the city-wide transformation of stroke services to set up Hyper Acute and Acute Stroke units. She has also worked on pathways for cardiac surgery, both reducing waiting times for elective treatment at tertiary centres but also facilitating inter-hospital transfers for emergency procedures across London. Gemma was Regional Lead for Diabetes in London working with all areas of the system from public health and primary care to vascular surgery, as well as considering the educational needs of patients and healthcare professionals to manage diabetes.
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 | Dr Michael Watts, NHS Innovation Accelerator Fellow & NHS England Clinical Entrepreneur & Mentor
| Michael is the Young Health Tech Leader of the Year 2024, an NHS doctor, NHS Innovation Accelerator Fellow and MBA Graduate by background. Over the last few years he has been the Co-founder and Managing director of Blüm Health Ltd, an industry-disrupting digital health organisation that collaboratively works with NHS trusts, Universities and SMEs to design, build, and scale digital health software solutions, in the hope to empower public and private sector organisations to boost their digital maturity and unlock their innovative potential. Michael has extensive experience in supporting NHS organisations design, build and procure digital health ecosystems and understands the importance of digital inclusivity from a patient, workforce and organisational perspective.
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 | Sean James MSc FIBMS, Biobank Operational Lead at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
| Sean is a HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist, and the Tissue Bank Operational Lead at Arden Tissue Bank, with more than twenty years’ experience in Clinical Cellular Pathology within the National Health Service, prior to establishing Arden Tissue Bank as a Research & Development facility in 2008.
Sean’s current role is the Operational Lead of the ethically approved biobank at University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, and the Person Designate for the HTA licence under which the ethically approved bio repository operates. Sean is also responsible for the governance and management of the newly established Multi-omics Research laboratory at UHCW.
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 | Emma Braybrook, Lead Scientist – Multi-Omics Research Laboratory at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
| Emma is a HCPC registered Specialist Biomedical Scientist, Lead Scientist for the Multi-Omics Research laboratory at UHCW and Research and Training Manager for Biochemistry and Immunology within Coventry and Warwickshire Pathology Service. Alongside these roles, Emma is currently completing a PhD under the supervision of Professor Grammatopoulos at the University of Warwick and is a member of the Research Institute of Precision Diagnostics and Translational Medicine within UHCW R&D. She has received laboratory training both in ISO accredited clinical diagnostic laboratories, but also in research laboratories both in the UK and abroad, spending a period of training at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. Emma was previously a lecturer at Coventry University within the Biomedical Science team, developing and teaching content at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and supporting students undertaking professional training. She has expertise in numerous biochemical and molecular techniques, laboratory training, quality management and pre-analytical sample handling.
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 | Dimitris Grammatopoulos, PhD, FRCPath, Consultant in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Diagnostics at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
| Dimitris is Professor of Molecular Medicine at Warwick Medical School and Consultant in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Diagnostics at the University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire, NHS Trust, United Kingdom. He also leads the Novel Biomarkers theme of the Institute of Precision Diagnostics and Translational Medicine, Pathology-UHCW NHS Trust. where he combines clinical expertise in diagnostic laboratory medicine with a research track-record in application of cutting edge multidiscipline methodologies in routine clinical diagnostics. He received academic and clinical training in Newcastle, Bristol, Johns Hopkins-Baltimore and Warwick. He has expertise in biochemical/molecular diagnosis of many endocrine and metabolic disorders. His translational research interest is focused on stress hormones and homeostatic adaptations of fetal development to maternal disease as well as development of novel -omics based biomarker approaches suitable for precision medicine and better characterisation of patient phenotype.
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 | Tammy Holmes, Associate Director, Commercial and Business Development at Health Innovation West Midlands
| Tammy leads on the innovator support and business development opportunities for the organisation.
She has worked in the NHS for approximately 21 years within a range of NHS roles and organisations. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology and Masters in Applied Health Research both of which had a heavy focus on change and adoption in the NHS. Her roles both within health care and with other sectors have enabled her to gain experience in the development of local innovation services and she has always had a keen interest in capacity and capability development. She has developed key skills for working across the NHS, academia and the commercial sector to broker relationships and develop collaborative projects and is always keen to develop her skills and share her passion with others.
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 | Clive Powell, Academy for Healthcare Science Advisor, at the Life Science Industry
| Clive has worked in the medtech and life sciences industries for over 30 years. Much of that time was spent at the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) where he was primarily involved in medical device regulatory affairs and later on in ethical compliance activities such as the ABHI Code of Practice.
Clive joined the Academy for Health Care Science (AHCS) in 2020 as Head of Registration Services with responsibility for maintaining and overseeing revisions of the LSI documents, assisting the registration team and the Registrar.
Since 2023 he has acted as Industry Advisor to the LSI Register. In that role he is part of the project to promote adoption and use of the LSI Register by the NHS.
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 | Olivia Simpson, Chief Operations Officer at FlexSea
| Olivia (BSc Medical Science & Clinical Practice) developed the idea of novel material in the medical sector during her yearlong placement in an NHS trust and whilst working for the local council and university to co-ordinate city-wide health campaigns in Wolverhampton. Olivia has since gone on to join FlexSea as COO. FlexSea uses seaweed as a sustainable raw material to produce bioplastic which are compatible with standard plastic manufacturing equipment. These bioplastics are petrochemical free and naturally breakdown in home compost as well as landfill. Olivia has won Sustainability entrepreneur of the year at the Great British Entrepreneurs awards, London Tech Week, the Young entrepreneurs challenge (Verzion), and the NatWest x British Business Bank Women’s Pitch.
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 | Rich Shaw, Sustainability and Commercial Lead at Pd-m
| Rich’s role within the design consultancy is to champion sustainability, ensuring the products being developed are environmentally conscious yet highly commercial. In recent years Rich has been helping Health-tech companies in responding to the drive for carbon reduction, unlocking opportunities to reduce cost and emissions whilst building a competitive edge. Using his background in design and product management Rich is focused on using process driven methods to quantifiably review products, identify ways they can be optimised for long terms success whilst supporting a pathway to net zero.
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 | Kevin D Malecek, Director, Economic Development and International Trade at City of Mentor, Ohio
| Kevin has served in a variety of capacities in the governmental, business, non-profit, and political arenas in Northeastern Ohio. Currently, Malecek serves as Director of Economic Development and International Trade for the City of Mentor, Ohio. In that position, Malecek oversees economic development, business attraction, retention, and expansion efforts both domestically and internationally for one of the largest manufacturing and retail centers in the State of Ohio, representing over 200 manufacturers, and 300 plus retailers, restaurants, and professional service firms. During his tenure, Malecek orchestrated relationships with organizations in both the United Kingdom and Ireland that resulted in foreign direct investment in Mentor, the expansion of business prospects in the UK for Mentor-based companies, and an ongoing dialogue and exchange with various entities in the UK, Ireland, and Germany for further economic cooperation and development, including the organization of inbound and outbound trade missions.
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 | Prof Martin Levermore MBE DL, Chairman of the Board at Medilink Midlands
| Prof Levermore is the Vice Chair for Nehemiah United Churches Housing Association (UCHA), CEO of Medical Devices Technology International Ltd (MDTi) and Chair of Medilink Midlands. He is also a Trustee of New Roots Charity and a Director of the Birmingham Commonwealth Association (BCA) as well as Executive Committee Member of the Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce. Martin is a Senior Associate of Royal Society of Medicine, a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Martin has been published widely in several academic journals and hold appointments with Birmingham City University (BCU) as Visiting Professor for Health, Education and Life Science and Honorary Consultant for Health Innovations with the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.
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Sponsors
| Digital Sponsor | Penningtons Manches Cooper is a leading UK and international law firm which provides high quality legal advice tailored to both businesses and individuals.
Our award winning life sciences practice provides comprehensive, business oriented advice, bringing extensive legal, scientific and industry specific insights to its medical device, pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients. Our team acts for small and medium sized clients, larger plcs and multi-national enterprises. In addition, we work closely with research organisations to enable the effective adoption and transfer of technology and its further development. We also represent a number of venture capital funds.
We provide the full range of legal, commercial and regulatory advice to clients and understand that the life sciences field is fast-moving and competitive. Effective legal support is essential at all stages of any life science business and we offer a service which is imaginative as well as realistic.
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 | Media Partner | Since 2007, V Formation has been supporting businesses across a range of sectors with their marketing and PR to help them find their competitive edge and develop and grow. From strategy development and planning through to hands-on implementation and ongoing support, our experienced team of experts can act as your outsourced marketing department or work alongside your in-house team – either way, we’ll spend time getting under the skin of your business to understand your objectives and challenges, your culture and people.
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