Life sciences industry organisation Medilink Midlands has revealed its line-up of keynote speakers for its annual flagship Innovation Day event.
Taking place on Thursday 5 October, the free-to-attend Innovation Day will welcome the Midlands life sciences community to the DoubleTree by Hilton in Coventry to discuss the latest developments within the sector and is set to attract more than 250 delegates.
Coventry University is supporting the event for the second consecutive year and has been revealed as the event’s digital sponsor. The University, which holds an award-winning track record for industry engagement, will provide an immersive digital app to provide attendees with important event information, as well as facilitating interactive polls and Q&A sessions.
The Silverstone Technology Cluster (STC), the not-for-profit industry support organisation for advanced engineering, electronics, and software businesses, is sponsoring the expo and networking.
Hosted by Sue Saville, former Medical Correspondent for ITV News, this year’s Innovation Day will include networking opportunities, an exhibition of 37 life sciences organisations, and a conference of high-profile sector speakers, including Dr Roger Mendonça, CEO of Midlands Engine. In his talk, Roger will discuss the importance of partnerships in unlocking the potential of the Midlands’ life sciences sector.
Also speaking at the event is Jennifer Hill, Innovation, Research, and Life Sciences Lead at the NHS Innovation Service, who will explain how the new service will accelerate innovative solutions for the NHS.
Helen Landels, Technical Director of the Scientific Advice team at NICE will discuss the Institute’s ambitions for engaging with health tech companies and its relationship with the MHRA, whilst Olivia Simpson, CEO and Founder of SymbioTex, will provide an insight into how the company is tackling medical plastic waste by creating a sustainable alternative made using seaweed.
Derek Sear, Business Engagement Manager at the University of Birmingham and Dr Ben Roberts, Innovation Adviser at Medilink Midlands will present on new health tech support and opportunities in the Midlands, and Nottinghamshire’s SureScreen Diagnostics, a double King’s Award for Enterprise 2023 winner, will speak about receiving the accolade and what it took to get there.
Of the event, Melanie Davidson, CEO of Medilink Midlands, says: “Innovation Day sits proudly within our annual events programme as the flagship event of the year for those in the life sciences and medtech sectors. Centrally located, the event brings together academics, clinicians, and businesses from across the Midlands to forge partnerships, share ideas, and gain insights into topics such as NHS access, business support, and expanding markets.
“The 2023 event will provide guests with the chance to see the strength of the Midlands life sciences sector firsthand and allow businesses to learn about opportunities for innovation and business support to accelerate their growth.”
Of Coventry University’s digital sponsorship, Lewis Breeze, Account Manager – Health, says: “We are delighted to once again be sponsoring Medilink Midlands Innovation Day, supporting this year’s sustainable approach to the event. Coventry University’s strong reputation for industry engagement means we are always looking to get involved in events that showcase innovative businesses in the Midlands. The annual Innovation Day offers a unique opportunity for the life science and medtech community to come together and exchange knowledge and ideas, and we’re looking forward to seeing familiar faces as well as meeting new people at our exhibition stand (number 8).”
Learn more about the Medilink Midlands Innovation Day 2023 and book your place here.
Medilink Midlands is the life science industry association for the Midlands, helping life science companies to set up, develop and grow. Working alongside regional organisations including the East and West Midlands Academic Health Science Networks, the West Midlands Combined Authority, the Midlands Engine, and the region’s universities, Medilink Midlands sits at the heart of academia, business, government, and the NHS.
