Medilink Midlands

Medilink Midlands Virtual Coffee Break - Members Only
2021-04-07 10:00 - 11:00 (Europe/London)
Our online Coffee Breaks provide a great opportunity to catch up with our growing networking of Members.
At this informal gathering hosted by Darren Clark, Chief Executive at Medilink Midlands the theme will be mental health in the workplace and we will be joined by:
– The team at the University of Derby to hear how they have helped companies as they have been rolling out the Mental Health & Productivity Pilot
– Shakespeare Martineau will provide input from a legal angle on disability discrimination issues and issues arising from mental health concerns in the workplace
– Rachel Cutler, Business Psychology and Consultant, in place of fear, Rachel supports businesses to create an environment which puts the well-being of their work community first
These online coffee breaks provide an opportunity to share current challenges and experiences and make introductions to those that can help.
We’re here to help, so let Medilink along with the virtual group work together to help each other with any concerns, issues, or solution needs you may have. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to submit in advance to make sure we cover your needs and meet expectations
Dial-in details will be provided to delegates by a member of the Medilink Midlands events team once the online registration form has been completed.
Medilink Members only.
Chair:

Dr Darren Clark, Chief Executive Medilink Midlands

Professor Dean Fathers, Chair and Non-Executive Board Member, Mentor and Consultant (attending with Kate and Robin from the University of Derby)

Kate Wood – Project Manager Mental Health and Productivity Pilot, University of Derby

Robin Pepper – Knowledge Exchange Manager, University of Derby

Rhys Wyborn, Partner, Shakespeare Martineau

Rachel Cutler, Business Psychology and Consultant, in place of fear

WEBINAR: Digital First: Laying the foundations for scalable label and artwork management for SMEs in the life sciences industry
2021-04-08 10:00 - 11:00
Medilink Midlands in partnership with Kallik, invite you to attend this ‘Digital First’ Laying the foundations for scalable label and artwork management specifically designed for SMEs in the life sciences and health care sector.
Manual labelling processes run the risk of failing regulatory compliance audits, errors and recalls, alongside far longer project completion timescales. In this webinar Kallik CEO, Gurdip Singh, urges the benefits of small to mid-sized life science companies going digital with their label management as early as possible, outlining the digital transformation journey.
Topics covered include:
– What is labelling and artwork management (LAM)?
– What are the business challenges in the life sciences industry regarding LAM?
– How to maximise regulatory compliance while minimising product completion time.
– Improving your business’ digital maturity.
Although product approval and organising suppliers are essential tasks, prioritising your label & artwork management process today will help ensure your business can scale for the future. A robust, streamlined LAM process can abolish bad, time consuming practice before it even begins. After all, a big company starts as a small company.
This session will end with a 20 minute debrief whereby Gurdip will answer any outstanding questions or queries.
TO BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE, CLICK HERE

Speaker Profile:

Gurdip Singh is the CEO of Kallik, a labelling & artwork management software company specialised in serving the needs of highly regulated industries. Prior to joining Kallik, Gurdip held numerous senior leadership positions within the IT and software industry, and is passionate about driving organisational transformation in heavily-regulated industries.

VIRTUAL EVENT: Funding your innovation during lockdown – Speak to the Advisers
2021-04-13 10:00 - 11:00
We remain open for business during the current lockdown and we will continue to support our members, clients and the life sciences community, albeit in a more virtual way.
How can our projects help you fund your innovation? Delivered by Medilink Midlands, join this meeting to meet our team of Advisers for a detailed interactive discussion on innovation grant funding and support. We will talk through examples of the types of projects we can fund and also what other support is available across the East Midlands region.
During this virtual meeting you will:
-Find out what grant funding is available
-Find out how we can support you to fast-track your innovations and bring your ideas to market
-Have the opportunity to ask questions directly to our team of knowledgeable advisers and find out how you can obtain further support
-Identify who is the dedicated Adviser for your area
-Receive information on the grants we have available to help companies overcome innovation barriers
This is an interactive meeting, where attendees are encouraged to join via their webcam and to ask questions directly to our advisers.
DURATION: 1 HOUR

PLEASE NOTE: The funding and support discussed in this meeting is only available for companies in the East Midlands region.
This free to attend meeting will be held as part of the INSTILS programme – a project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Click here to be redirected to further information about the project. This event is classed as State Aid to participating businesses, the value of which is £127, but is delivered completely free of charge to participants.
Medilink Midlands Innovation Advisers:

Lyndsey Allen

Neil Barnes

Alasdair Gaw

Jo Maltby

Teresa Smith

VIRTUAL COFFEE BREAK - East Midlands Academic Health Science Network
2021-04-20 12:30 - 13:30
Join EMAHSN for an informal virtual coffee break on Tuesday 20 April at 12:30pm, we will be joined by Sally Robinson who is Head of Contracting and Performance at a local NHS Hospital. Sally will be providing insight in regards to her role and responsibilities and tips for innovators who are looking to engage with the Healthcare system. This informal gathering will provide you with the opportunity to share your experiences and ask questions.
Networking opportunities are a key part of Medilink Midlands events and whilst the current COVID-19 crisis still restricts face to face events, this online opportunity enables the life sciences community to still connect with one another.
Grab a coffee, a biscuit and join us.
Joining details will be provided to delegates by a member of the Medilink Midlands events team once the online registration form has been completed.

If you have any topics that you’d like to discuss in future EMAHSN coffee breaks, please feel free to email any suggestions to us by clicking here.

Chair: Julian Patel, Commercial Manager EMAHSN

Aisha Ajij, Project Support and Industry Liaison Officer, EMAHSN

Guest Speaker: Sally Robinson, Head of Contracting and Performance, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Sally’s role is to manage the relationship between provider and commissioner, to protect and negotiate income and performance. She works daily with clinical services to develop pathways and bring in new ideas – ensuring appropriate detail is captured to improve success rates when it comes to business cases, cases of need and commissioning requests.

WEBINAR: Food Supplements Special Interest Group (SIG) - Has Brexit changed how Food Supplements will be managed in 2021?
2021-04-21 10:00 - 11:00
Join us online for our next Food Supplements Special Interest Group (SIG) to hear about the impact of Brexit on food supplements.
This webinar will discuss:
– What has changed?
– What has stayed the same?
– What is new?
As well as update, we invite our delegates to take part in a question and answer session.
DURATION: 1 hour
This free to attend event is held as part of the INSTILS programme – a project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, click here to be re-directed to further information about the project. This event is classed as State Aid to participating businesses, the value of which is £127, but is delivered completely free of charge to participants.
Speaker Profiles
Chair: Janet Worrell, Head of Regulatory, JensonR+
Janet is an experienced regulatory affairs professional, having supported a diverse portfolio of products, for a number of companies across the East Midlands. Janet’s experience covers early concept development, food supplements, over the counter (OTC) medicines, inhaled therapies and clinical trial applications. Janet enjoys collaborating with companies to develop their regulatory strategy to deliver commercial success. Janet is an independent board member of the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network supporting innovation within NHS.

Nick Bennett, Head of Product Development, IVC Brunel Healthcare
Nick is Head of Product Development at Brunel Healthcare
where he is responsible for all aspects of development, regulations and new product introduction. He has worked in the food supplement industry for over 18 years specialising in all matters relating to product development and the health support that can be delivered from appropriate nutritional supplementation. Nick qualified in Nutritional Biochemistry from Nottingham University in 1994 and has been a Registered Nutritionist since 2003. During this time Nick has worked in a variety of food supplement companies of different sizes, most recently Boots for 5 years before joining the UK’s number one food supplement manufacturer, Brunel in 2009.

WEBINAR: Extended reality applications (virtual, augmented & mixed reality) in healthcare and surgery
2021-04-22 10:00 - 11:30
The next Medical Technologies & Systems Special Interest Group (SIG) will take place online, join us as we discuss Extended reality applications (virtual, augmented & mixed reality) in healthcare and surgery.
Attend to hear about:
– Remote surgical collaboration through Virtual Reality
– VR as a tool to bridge the gap between academic and clinical practice. The past, present and the future
– Mixed Reality – The Future of Surgery Starts Now
DURATION: 1.5 hours
This free to attend event is held as part of the INSTILS programme – a project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, click here to be re-directed to further information about the project. This event is classed as State Aid to participating businesses, the value of which is £190, but is delivered completely free of charge to participants.
Speaker Profiles:

Chaired by: Professor Philip Breedon, Professor of Smart Technologies, Nottingham Trent University
As well as his role at Nottingham Trent University, Philip is also a Chartered Engineer and a Chartered IT professional. He is a member of the Department of Health’s National Institute for Health Research invention for innovation funding panel and holds a number of journal editorial positions. His research interests and latest projects centre on new and emerging technologies and materials. This includes wearable technologies, 3D printing of pathological models, additive and subtractive manufacturing for medical applications, surgical robotics, cardiovascular devices, augmented /virtual/immersive technologies and environments, the surgical pathway and investigative research related to the utilisation of ‘smart materials’ for medical applications. Through promoting his work and research activities he now works with a number of surgeons and clinicians across Europe.

Richard Vincent, CEO & Founder, FundamentalVR
Richard has 20+ years’ experience of building international businesses and has throughout his career sought opportunities for positive market disruption through technological application. It was this desire that led him to co-found FundamentalVR to help address an age-old problem for the medical market; how to create safe, realistic, measurable spaces to learn and develop skills. In his role as CEO Richard is responsible for building a world class team of medical, learning and technologist who together can realise the company’s ambition of creating the world’s first global, haptically enabled, low cost ‘flight simulator for surgeons’.

Jan Antons, Business Development Manager, Vertual Ltd
Jan qualified as a therapy radiographer in 1992 and worked clinically in Bristol before working in various roles in the industry, including product specialist, product manager and clinical specialist roles. An MSc in radiotherapy followed in 2008 with a thesis focusing on prostate brachytherapy. After a 2-year placement in the US and experiencing the US Healthcare market, Jan joined Vertual, a Hull-based SME, in 2009 as a product specialist. From 2010 to 2019, Jan managed a large territory and distribution partners within the assigned regions, including the UK and Ireland, the US, South America and Canada. After completing an MBA in 2019, Jan started her current role as business development manager.

Dr Linda Brützel, Product Manager, Brainlab
Linda is a physicist with expertise in biotechnology and medical science, currently working as a Product Manager at German medical technology company Brainlab. Linda has a strong background in data analysis, programming and technical development of experimental setups. After completing her PhD on ‘Structure and Conformational Dynamics of 3D DNA Origami Objects Probed by Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering’ she worked as a Product Manager for PNDetector and as image analysis consultant at Astra Zeneca (formerly known as Definiens).

Virtual Workshop: Introduction to NHS Market Access
2021-04-27 13:00 - 14:00
BOOKING IS NOW CLOSED FOR THIS EVENT. This event will run again on 27th July, for details please click here.

Join our two-part CPD accredited virtual workshop, Introduction to NHS Market Access, delivered by the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (EMAHSN).
Combined, the two sessions will give innovators key insights into the complexities of the NHS and wider healthcare ecosystem as well as the support available to help you to introduce your health technology product or service into the NHS.
PART 1 is a pre-recorded 45 minute webinar that you can watch at a time convenient to you.
The webinar will cover:
– The NHS Structure
– Understanding pathways and cash flow
– Getting your message right
– What support you can expect from the AHSN
——————
PART 2 is a live 1-hour Q&A session that will take place on Tuesday 27th April 2020.
In order to gain access to this live session, delegates are required to watch the pre-recorded webinar prior to attending.
The Q&A session will be held with a panel of experts from the EMAHSN and delegates will have the opportunity to ask questions directly to the team.
Upon registration you will be sent a link to the pre-recorded webinar by a member of the Medilink Midlands events team. Joining details for the live Q&A session will be distributed separately once the webinar has been viewed.

SPEAKER PROFILE:
Live Q&A Chair:

Tim Robinson, Commercial Director, East Midlands Academic Health Science Network

Pre-recorded Webinar:
Nicholas Brown, Commercial Manager, East Midlands Academic Health Science Network
Nick joined the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network as Commercial Manager in 2015. Prior to this, Nick has more than 20 years’ experience of the medical industry working with manufacturers, distributors and clinical staff from the UK and European health sectors, from both the sales and marketing side, as well as in a consulting and advisory role. His Commercial Manager role focuses on building closer links between healthcare and businesses; identifying new services and products that can be introduced for the benefit of patients throughout the region – as well as marketed throug

WEBINAR: Bioprinting: from benchside to bedside
2021-04-29 14:00 - 15:30
Join the next online Additive Manufacturing & 3D Special Interest Group (SIG), this SIG will focus on Bioprinting as we hear from an academic, a clinician and a business as they present what they have learned.
This event is in partnership with The University of Nottingham – Centre for Additive Manufacturing.
The webinar will cover:
– The development of smart biomaterials for bioprinting multi-cellular living tissues
– Translation of bioprinted tissues into clinic, challenges and opportunities
– Entrepreneurship in bio-printing: biohybrid neural devices
DURATION: 1.5 hour
This free to attend event is held as part of the INSTILS programme – a project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, click here to be re-directed to further information about the project. This event is classed as State Aid to participating businesses, the value of which is £190, but is delivered completely free of charge to participants.
Speaker Profiles:

Chaired by: Laura Ruiz Cantu, Transitional Assistant Professor, Centre for Additive Manufacturing, The University of Nottingham
Laura’s research is focused on the use of Additive Manufacturing technologies for Regenerative Medicine and drug delivery applications. Laura has extensive expertise in several AM technologies including micro extrusion printing, inkjet 3D printing, micro stereolithography and most recently volumetric additive manufacturing. Some of her work includes, developing libraries of photocurabe biomaterials for 3D printing subdermal implants, 3D bioprinting cartilage for facial reconstruction, developing methodologies for rapid screening of inks and 3D printing of long term subdermal implants for chronic diseases. Currently, Laura and team are working on developing smart osteoinductive photocurable biomaterials for inkjet printing and microSLA. Laura is also associated to the smart materials HUB from the UK Regenerative Medicine Platform. As part of the HUB she is working on implementing different 3D printing technologies for the manufacture of scaffolds for bone regeneration.

Dr Sang Jin Lee, Associate Professor, Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM)
Sang is an Associate Professor of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), Wake Forest School of Medicine, with an affiliate appointment in the Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences (SBES). The WFIRM is an international leader in translating scientific discovery into clinical therapies. WFIRM were the first in the world to successfully implant a laboratory-grown organ into humans and today are working to grow more than 30 different organs and tissues in the laboratory. He extensive knowledge and experience in biomaterials science, especially, biodegradable polymers and tunable hydrogels, with specific training and expertise in key research areas for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. His research team has developed various biomaterial systems that improve cellular interactions by providing appropriate environmental cues. These biomaterial systems consist of drug/protein delivery systems, nano/micro-scaled topographical features, and hybrid materials that can actively participate in functional tissue regeneration. Recently, his team is utilizing automated 3D bioprinting technology to manufacture complex, multi-cellular living tissue constructs that mimic the structure of native tissues. This can be accomplished by optimizing the formulation of biomaterials to serve as bioinks for 3D bioprinting, and by providing the biological microenvironment needed for the successful delivery of cells and biomaterials to discrete locations within the 3D structure. He has authored more than 150 scientific publications, 15 patent registrations/applications, 500 scientific presentations, 70 invited lectures and mentored over 160 trainees, ranging from undergraduate students to practicing physicians.

Professor Paolo De Coppi, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon, Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH)
Paolo is a Consultant Paediatric Surgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and Head of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine at the UCL Institute of Child Health in London. He has been an Honorary Professor at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium, since 2013, an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, since 2009 and an Honorary Assistant Professor in Paediatric Surgery at the University of Padua, Italy, since 2005. He has a special interest in congenital malformations and their treatment using minimally invasive techniques. He has focused his research interests on stem cells and tissue engineering by trying to find new modalities for the treatment of complex congenital anomalies. While working with Anthony Atala, M.D., at the Boston Children’s Hospital (Massachusetts), he identified the possibility of using stem cells from amniotic fluid for therapeutic applications. This finding generated an international patent and garnered the cover story of Nature Biotechnology January 2007. This finding has opened the door to discovery for novel approaches to correct congenital malformations. Recently he was awarded a WellcomeLeap grant that will be focused on engineering human kidneys and urinary tracts in collaboration with Prof David Long and the kidney development and disease group at UCL.

Dr Benjamin Paul, CEO, Neuroloom Ltd
Ben founded Neuroloom Ltd in 2017 to commercialise his neurotechnology inventions and has since won multiple competitions and instigated several University and business consortiums. As the sole inventor of Neuroloom’s core patent Ben has presented to academic, clinical and commercial audiences and has co-authored several academic papers. Before founding Neuroloom, Ben completed an MSc in Bioengineering and a PhD in Manufacturing at the University of Nottingham. Neuroloom’s expertise is coordinating living neurons so they can reliably integrate with living tissue and coordinate the tissues activity, whether in the dish or in the body.

WEBINAR: It's all about the data!
2021-05-05 10:00 - 11:00
Join us for the next in the series of our Clinical Trial Special Interest Groups with Afortiori Development at this webinar where we will be discussing data!
The clinical data you collect on your product will be what is scrutinised by regulatory authorities and payers in order to allow you to access your market. Data must be ethically obtained, appropriate, clean, managed according to regulatory requirements and ready for analysis. Don’t make costly mistakes and learn too late that your data isn’t acceptable.
DURATION: 1 hour
This free to attend event is held as part of the SoLSTICE programme – a project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, click here to be re-directed to further information about the project. This event is classed as State Aid to participating businesses, the value of which is £127, but is delivered completely free of charge to participants.
Speaker Profiles:

Chaired by: Dr Nicola Wall, Chief Executive Officer, Afortiori Development
Nicola co-founded Afortiori Development after long careers in clinical research within a variety of roles. Nicola has extensive experience and a proven track record in global clinical trial management, quality assurance and process management in the healthcare industry. Afortiori have built an impressive global team of clinical trial specialists, clinicians and biostatisticians with experience in adult, paediatric and neonatal clinical research, and both primary and secondary healthcare settings.

David Baker, Data Management Lead, Afortiori Development
David has over 40 years of clinical experience including 30 years research experience within the pharmaceutical industry, specialising in biometrics and project management. He spent 8 years managing a biometrics department at one of the world’s foremost contract clinical research organisations and has worked as a Global Project Manager overseeing the processes and deliverables on programmes and studies in Asia, Europe, Australasia and the Americas for a variety of clients across a wide range of therapeutic areas including respiratory, diabetes, oncology, neonatology, transplantation and medical devices.

Elizabeth Ralph, Chief Operating Officer, Afortori Development
Elizabeth has a proven track record spanning 20 years in global clinical trial management, quality assurance and process management in the pharmaceutical industry. She is the co-Founder and operational leader with Afortiori Development supporting clients who need to obtain clinical evidence for their healthcare product.

VIRTUAL WORKSHOP: Is your Business Case NHS Ready?
2021-05-12 10:30 - 11:30
BOOKINGS FOR THIS WORKSHOP HAVE NOW CLOSED. Please click here to book the next workshop on Thu 5 August.
Join the second of our two-part CPD accredited virtual workshops, Is your Business Case NHS Ready?, delivered by the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (EMAHSN).
The challenge as innovators and companies selling to the NHS is often that when you have a product that improves patient outcomes and saves cost you still cannot get it adopted by the NHS. This is frequently because there isn’t a fully developed business case.
PART 1 is a pre-recorded 40 minute webinar that you can watch at a time convenient to you.
The pre-recorded webinar will cover:
– What a business case is, what is its purpose and why is it so important?
– Who reviews the business case and how are they evaluated?
– How to construct a good business case
——————
PART 2 is a live 1-hour Q&A session on Wednesday 12th May at 10.30am.
In order to gain access to this live session, delegates are required to watch the pre-recorded webinar prior to attending.
The Q&A session will be held with a panel of experts from the EMAHSN and delegates will have the opportunity to ask questions directly to the team.

Upon registration you will be sent a link to the pre-recorded webinar by a member of the Medilink Midlands events team. Joining details for the live Q&A session will be distributed separately once the webinar has been viewed.
SPEAKER PROFILES:
Live Q&A Session Chair: Julian Patel, Commercial Manager

Mike Watson, Digital Lead
Mike is responsible for taking forward our approach to supporting change through digital innovations working with a wide range of partners from across the East Midlands to take forward the most promising digital innovations and ways of working. Mike is also responsible for horizon scanning the rapidly evolving landscape for digital and Artificial Intelligence solutions.

Aisha Ajij, Project Support and Industry Liaison Officer

Aisha develops contacts with industry partners and helps ensure the effectiveness of supporting processes such as our Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.

Pre-recorded webinar: Nicholas Brown, Commercial Manager, East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (note, Nicholas no longer works for the EMAHSN)
Nick joined the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network as Commercial Manager in 2015. Prior to this, Nick has more than 20 years’ experience of the medical industry working with manufacturers, distributors and clinical staff from the UK and European health sectors, from both the sales and marketing side, as well as in a consulting and advisory role. His Commercial Manager role focuses on building closer links between healthcare and businesses; identifying new services and products that can be introduced for the benefit of patients throughout the region – as well as marketed throughout the UK and abroad, providing wealth creation opportunities across the East Midlands.

Medilink Midlands Virtual Coffee Break (Members- Only)
2021-05-13 10:30 - 11:30
Join us for our next Members-Only Virtual Coffee Break, taking place on 13 May from 10:30am – 11:30 am.
The informal gathering will be hosted by Darren Clark, Chief Executive at Medilink Midlands. These online coffee breaks provide an opportunity to share current challenges and experiences and make introductions to those that can help.
The theme for this coffee break will be an overview of ‘What now for employers? Life after the Pandemic’ from Rhys Wyborn, Partner at Shakespeare Martineau.
We’re here to help, so let Medilink along with the virtual group work together to help each other with any concerns, issues, or solution needs you may have. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to submit in advance to make sure we cover your needs and meet expectations. Click here to submit.
Dial-in details will be provided to delegates by a member of the Medilink Midlands events team once the online registration form has been completed.
Medilink Members only.
If you’re interested in becoming a member, please get in touch info@medilinkmidlands.co.uk

CHAIR: Dr Darren Clark, CEO, Medilink Midlands

GUEST SPEAKER: Rhys Wyborn, Partner, Shakespeare Martineau

VIRTUAL WORKSHOP: Digital Health Special Interest Group (SIG) Working Group
2021-05-19 14:00 - 15:00
In partnership with PDMS we are delighted to be adding another Special Interest Group (SIG) to our series of SIGs where we provide the opportunity for clinicians, academics and businesses to forge new partnership and to collaborate. Digital Health is frequently being described as the future of healthcare and it is more important than ever that Digital Health is given the focus needed for the future success.
To kick start the working group and to start discussions on what themes/topics should be presented at the future SIGs we are holding a online working group. If you have something to contribute to this group then please join us on Wednesday 19 May online at 2pm to share your ideas.
The session will be chaired by Chris Gledhill, Managing Director, PDMS and Professor Dean Fathers, Chair and Non-Executive Board Member, Mentor and Consultant – see profiles below.
DURATION: 1 hour
This free to attend event is held as part of the SoLSTICE programme – a project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, click here to be re-directed to further information about the project. This event is classed as State Aid to participating businesses, the value of which is £127, but is delivered completely free of charge to participants.
Please note: whilst this event is held as part of the SoLSTICE programme, this event is not restricted to those in the Leicestershire area.
Dial-in details will be provided to delegates by a member of the Medilink Midlands events team once the online registration form has been completed.
Speaker Profiles:

Chris Gledhill, Managing Director, PDMS
Chris co-founded PDMS in 1993 with a mission to help organisations get the maximum value from information technology and their associated data assets. His experience lies in recognising the business benefits of information technology to make services cheaper, safer and more convenient. This extends across the whole spectrum of activities associated with software development and the implementation of digital technology in general.
He attended Manchester University and Cranfield Institute of Technology and gained his Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors. Drawing on his extensive knowledge and passion for technology, Chris has recently been re-elected as an SME representative on the techUK Central Government Council. Chris also sat on the Advisory Panel as part of an Independent Review of the Isle of Man health and social care system conducted by Sir Johnathan Michael in 2019.
Chris has a particular interest in digital health and citizen centric services – putting the individual at the core and designing digital services to help improve a patient’s experience and outcomes.
With more than 30 years’ experience in Enterprise and Digital technology, Chris is still passionate about the benefits that organisations and individuals can achieve through good software engineering. However, he still firmly believes that technology isn’t the best starting point – it’s the problems that need to be solved and the outcomes that need to be achieved.

Professor Dean Fathers, Chair and Non-Executive Board Member, Mentor and Consultant
Dean has a wealth of experience in a range of organisations, from FTSE/blue-chips in the private sector, large national Government Departments and Public Agencies, including over 20 years experience as the Chair of a variety of NHS organisations, to medium sized private, entrepreneurial companies. He is an accomplished Director, having held numerous executive and non executive board positions and also has international experience as an organisational change leader, practicing as a Board/Executive Development Consultant in fields as diverse as; the automotive industry, construction, distribution, education, media, retail, and pharmaceutical/health sectors in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. The development of strategy as a driver for change and sustainable long term success is his forte and this is linked to a deep understanding of best practices principles of board governance which he has honed through a number of visiting professor roles at Cass, Leeds, Lincoln and Nottingham Business Schools. Amongst his portfolio of roles Dean Chairs the Centre for Organisational Resilience at Lincoln International Business School which is exploring the relationship between governance and mental health.

Bio Integrates 2021
2021-05-20 08:45 - 17:00
Focused on the biotech, start-ups and emerging pharma segment
Following the continued success of last year’s inaugural digital event, Life Science Integrates is delighted to announce the 3rd Bio Integrates conference. Addressing the needs of innovative companies developing the therapies of tomorrow, this one-day conference provides a unique forum to discuss the major challenges impacting the sector.
Broadcast live on 20th May 2021, Bio Integrates is a unique opportunity to engage with top executives in biotech, CDMO, supply chain, and funding and investment.
This year our three core themes are for the event are:
Connection: Finding the right investors, partners and vendors is key to accelerating your products. How do you make the best connections?
Reflection: 2020 was an unprecendent year. What impact has it had on biotech funding, pipelines, and ecosystem?
Projection: What does the future hold for life science investment and infrastructure?
For more information and to view the agenda and high-profile speakers please go to
www.lifescienceintegrates.com/bio-integrates-2021
MEDILINK MEMBERS OFFER: We have 25 complimentary tickets for Medilink Members (SMEs only). Please click here to contact us by 17:00 on 17 May 2021 to obtain your promo code to obtain your tickets.
Additional Offer: To register for a delegate pass with 25% discount, please register here by 17:00 on 18 May 2021 and use promo code MLM25
Please note: The complimentary tickets are on a first come, first served basis. Registrations cannot be accepted after this date of 18th May.
Get involved and be part of the new Digital Innovation Village at Bio Integrates 2021
This year, high-quality poster presentations will be an important element of Bio Integrates 2021.
Bio Integrates would therefore like to solicit posters that present recent and late-breaking research on topics relevant to the Biotech Community, to be displayed in our new Innovation Village. For full details please Click here. Please note that the deadline has been extended to Wednesday 12th May.
You’ll get a complimentary pass to the event if you submit a poster, the deadline for requesting a place at Bio Integrates 2021 and submitting your information to karen.chapple@lsi-uk.com is Tuesday 5 May.

WEBINAR: IP: Four things you should be doing right now
2021-05-20 10:30 - 11:30
These are unprecedented times for all businesses, with pressure to adapt to a constantly evolving ‘new normal’. With challenges to address on multiple fronts, there are four areas of focus to help ensure your intellectual property approach is aligned to your immediate business priorities.
Join us and Potter Clarkson at this webinar to hear about the four things you should be doing right now. Dr Daniel Hudson, UK and European Patent Attorney, Partner at Potter Clarkson will provide tips and insights on the following four areas:
1. Determining business critical activities
2. Consider a more collaborative approach
3. Managing risk
4. Planning ahead
DURATION: 1 hour
Speaker:

Dr Daniel Hudson, UK and European Patent Attorney, Partner at Potter Clarkson
Daniel is a partner in the electronics and computing patent group at Potter Clarkson, an award-winning, top-tier firm of European patent and trade mark attorneys and IP solicitors. He works with innovative organisations to recognise and protection inventions. Dan drafts and prosecutes UK and European patent applications in the digital heath space, and works with patent attorneys around the world to manage the international prosecution of families of patent applications. He particularly enjoys addressing the challenges involved with prosecuting related families of patent applications to obtain comprehensive protection for his clients’ inventions in view of their commercial objectives.

My Question is...Networking Lunch: What do Med Tech Companies Need to Thrive?
2021-05-25 13:00 - 14:00
Following on from a successful collaborative event between One Nucleus and Medilink Midlands on Collaborating to Support Biotech and Med Tech Businesses Across Our Neighbouring Regions we are continuing our collaboration with a dedicated My Question Is…Networking Lunch. The goal is to keep the dialogue going and to continue amplifying support across the wider region that our respective networks cover, whilst asking the right questions that can help to identify key areas of support.
As with all our My Question Is…Networking Lunches, we will be selecting questions posed by our network and once selected those individuals will host a breakout room of six people to discuss that question, feeding back towards the end of the session. All welcome to join!
We welcome your suggestion for questions. To submit a question, please click here to email Alicia Gaillez of One Nucleus.
Programme:
13.00 Arrive and welcome
13.10 Move to breakout rooms
13.40 Breakout rooms close and feedback session
14.00 Close
Free to attend and open to all
TO BOOK YOUR PLACE PLEASE CLICK HERE
You will be redirected to the One Nucleus booking page. Please note that this event is free of charge to attend.
Webinar details will be sent from One Nucleus closer to the date of the event.

Webinar: Getting it Right: Med-tech Product Design
2021-06-01 10:00 - 11:30
The physical embodiment of a medical technology and its interaction with the healthcare professional or patient end user can make or break its adoption by the wider market. At the same time med-tech product design is carried out in a highly regulated sector where demonstration of compliance to international standards is critical to achieving market authorisation. This event in partnership with the Medical Technologies Innovation Facility (MTIF) brings together speakers from the NHS, industry and academia to provide considered insights into the area of Med Tech product design.
The webinar will address:
-Balancing safety, function and form – how using professional design services can save project time and costs
-The role of human factors in assessing med-tech product design
-The value of obtaining end user acceptance data though expert clinical evaluation
-Design and Achieving Regulatory compliance
This webinar is open to all organisations seeking insight into medical product design and the particulars of clinical evaluation and human factors assessment.
There will also be an opportunity to pose your questions to our presenters in a Q&A session after the presentations.
This free to attend event is held as part of the INSTILS programme – a project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, click here to be re-directed to further information about the project. This event is classed as State Aid to participating businesses, the value of which is £190, but is delivered completely free of charge to participants.
Please note: whilst this event is held as part of the INSTILS programme, this event is not restricted to those in the D2N2 area.
Speaker Profiles

Professor Mike Hannay, Managing Director, MTIF (CHAIR)

Professor Peter Ford, Professor of Design, Design Matters MTIF
Peter Ford has over 40 years of experience in designing a wide range of products and medical devices for companies that include Pfizer, Huntleigh Healthcare, 3M and Inspiration Healthcare. Peter currently directs the Design Matter product design research group at NTU.

Dr Robert Reisel, Technical Director, MTIF
Robert has been Technical Director at MTIF since June 2020.
For the last 8.5 years he developed Class I, II and III medical devices for global wound and incontinence management from bench to bedside working in the UK and Germany.
He is responsible for Operational, Product Development, Quality, Regulatory, HSE and a Technical Team of 5 people.

Professor Daniel Clark, OBE , Director, CHEATA
As head of a large Clinical Engineering service and over 35 years working in healthcare technology, Dan has huge experience of technology in healthcare, particularly the NHS. He also has considerable expertise in innovation of healthcare technology and the adoption of new technology into clinical applications.

Alex Mariou, Surgical Solutions Project Manager, STERIS Solutions Ltd
Alex is a Project Design Manager at STERIS UK. STERIS is a global leader in the design, manufacture, sale and support of Infection Prevention products, Operating Room equipment and Endoscopy Devices. Alex has 10 years’ experience in the healthcare equipment industry and has specialised in designing and providing solutions for Integrated Theatres using cutting edge technology and equipment. Working across the UK, Alex provides surgical equipment for operating rooms and clinical care areas and is responsible for preparing proposals for projects and managing the process from order to installation.

WEBINAR: Grant Application Writing Masterclass
2021-06-03 10:30 - 11:30
Join us and TBAT Innovation Ltd for a Grant Funding Masterclass, delving into how to write a successful grant application for Innovate UK.
Knowing how to write your grant funding application is the most important part of applying for innovation funding.
Many competitions have success rates of below 10%; therefore, your application needs to stand-out, showcase your innovation and demonstrate your knowledge and expertise, all within tight word-limits.
Through years of successfully helping businesses just like yours, apply for Innovate UK funding competitions, TBAT are experts in writing successful funding applications that will capture the assessor’s attention and highlight why your innovative project should be funded!
During this 1-hour masterclass, TBAT will cover:
– The 10-question application form
– How to answer each question
– Their top tips for applying for Innovate UK funding
– What to do if you need help applying
This is great opportunity to learn how to apply for current Innovate UK funding competitions such as the Smart Grants and secure up to 70% of your project costs via these opportunities.
DURATION: 1 hour
Speaker Profiles:

Matt Symonds, Managing Director, TBAT Innovation Ltd
Matt joined TBAT Innovation in 2007 and shortly after became a Director of the business. He has a mechanical engineering degree and is an experienced project manager as a result of ten years’ experience in the Aerospace, Power Generation and Rail sectors with companies like Rolls-Royce and Bombardier Transportation.

Vincent Seddon, Business Development, TBAT Innovation Ltd
Vincent joined TBAT in 2019 to head up Business Development for their Oxford office after spending 10 years supporting Corporate clients to plan and grow their businesses as well as mentoring and coaching local business managers with the Barclays Business Bank.

How cyber safe is your organisation & supply chain?
2021-06-08 13:00 - 14:00
Medilink Midlands Virtual Coffee Break – members only
Our June virtual coffee break will take place on Tuesday 8 June from 1 pm – 2 pm.
This month we will be discussing cybersecurity, and we will be joined by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which was set up in October 2016 in support of a national ambition, outlined in the UK Government’s National Cyber Security Strategy, to make the UK the safest place to live and work online.
During the session, representatives from NCSC will provide an insight into what we should be doing to protect ourselves against cybercrimes that target business owners, and also the many support streams available to SME businesses.
In addition, we have invited some of our member experts in the field of cybersecurity who will be able to contribute to our discussions.
Hosted by Darren Clark, Chief Executive at Medilink Midlands, these online coffee breaks provide an opportunity to share current challenges and experiences and make introductions to those that can help.
We’re here to help, so let Medilink along with the virtual group work together to help each other with any concerns, issues, or solution needs you may have.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to submit in advance to make sure we cover your needs and meet expectations. Click here to submit.
Dial-in details will be provided to delegates by a member of the Medilink Midlands events team once the online registration form has been completed.
Book Now
Medilink Members only.
If you’re interested in becoming a member, please get in touch info@medilinkmidlands.co.uk
Speaker profile:
The NCSC helps to manage and mitigate the impact of cyber attacks. Our other ambitions are to better understand cyber threats; reduce the attacks that get through; respond when they do; and nurture a culture where cyber security can thrive in the future.
As the national authority on cyber security, the NCSC provides timely, accessible and consistent advice to individuals and organisations, empowering them to take action to protect themselves online.

Food Supplements Special Interest Group (SIG)- Concept to Launch of your food supplement
2021-06-10 10:00 - 11:00
Supplements and nutrition is one sector that continues to grow. Innovation and new concepts are key drivers for the increase in consumer spend in this area. Have you ever wondered what you need to consider to create your own food supplement and drive new business into this sector and for your company?
Join us online for our next Food Supplements Special Interest Group (SIG) to hear about what you should consider. We will cover the nutrients, additives, container closure (your pack), your claims (what you can and cannot say), pilot scale manufacture, validation, commercial scale manufacture, stability and customer complaints.
As part of this brief overview, you can take part in a question and answer session, with the panel, Nick Bennett (Chrysalis Health & Beauty) and Janet Worrell (Jenson R+ Limited).
DURATION: 1 Hour
This free to attend event is held as part of the INSTILS programme – a project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, click here to be re-directed to further information about the project. This event is classed as State Aid to participating businesses, the value of which is £127, but is delivered completely free of charge to participants.
Please note: whilst this event is held as part of the INSTILS programme, attendance is not restricted to companies in the D2N2 region and is open to all.
Speaker Profiles:

Chair: Janet Worrell, Head of Regulatory, JensonR+
Janet is an experienced regulatory affairs professional, having supported a diverse portfolio of products, for a number of companies across the East Midlands. Janet’s experience covers early concept development, food supplements, over the counter (OTC) medicines, inhaled therapies and clinical trial applications. Janet enjoys collaborating with companies to develop their regulatory strategy to deliver commercial success. Janet is an independent board member of the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network supporting innovation within NHS.

Nick Bennett, Technical Director, Chrysalis Health & Beauty
A registered Nutritionist since 2003, Nick joined Chrysalis Health and Beauty as Technical Director in May 2021.
His extensive career spans over 25 years in the supplement industry including time spent in combined technical, regulatory and development roles in both small manufacturers as well as some of the world’s largest organisations.
Nick started his career after completing a BSc in Nutritional Biochemistry at Nottingham university where his final year project explored how nutrition affects behaviour. Most recently, Nick helped to lead the industry for 5 years as chair of the Council for Responsible Nutrition UK.
Nick values the benefits of appropriate supplementation and is always keen to help choosing legally compliant supplements become easier for the average consumer.

VIRTUAL WORKSHOP: Creating Valid Evidence & Evaluation for the NHS for Medical Devices
2021-06-15 13:00 - 14:00
REGISTRATION HAS NOW CLOSED FOR THIS SESSION. The next live Q&A will take place on Wednesday 15 September. To register please click here
Join the third of our two-part CPD accredited virtual workshops, Creating Valid Evidence & Evaluation for the NHS for Medical Devices, delivered by the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (EMAHSN).
This session will provide an overview about the kinds of evidence and evaluation that the healthcare system really wants in order to support their buying decisions.
This is the third part of the 3 session CPD accredited workshop series designed to get you ready to successfully secure business with NHS organisations
PART 1 is a pre-recorded webinar that you can watch at a time convenient to you.
The pre-recorded webinar will cover:
• Evidence needed for regulatory purposes
• Principles and models of evaluation and principles of study design for evaluating healthcare interventions, to outline the value proposition of the innovation
——————
PART 2 is a live 1-hour Q&A session on Tuesday 15th June 1:00pm – 2:00pm
In order to gain access to this live session, delegates are required to watch the pre-recorded webinar prior to attending.
The Q&A session will be held with a panel of experts from the EMAHSN and delegates will have the opportunity to ask questions directly to the team.

Upon registration you will be sent a link to the pre-recorded webinar by a member of the Medilink Midlands events team. Joining details for the live Q&A session will be distributed separately once the webinar has been viewed.
SPEAKER PROFILES:
Julian Patel, Commercial Manager, East Midlands AHSN

Aisha Ajij, Project Support & Industry Liasion Officer/ITP – AAC Delivery Lead, East Midlands AHSN

Philip Miller, Evaluation Researcher, East Midlands AHSN

Dr Sarah Bolton, Business Manager, The Centre for Healthcare Equipment & Technology Adoption (CHEATA)

WEBINAR: The Application of Digital Technology in a Pandemic
2021-06-16 10:00 - 11:30
Digital Health solutions are understandably now at the forefront of health care initiatives. Join De Montfort University’s Digital Health Team for this webinar to discuss the latest research, innovation and developments in technology which supports the future of health and social care.
This webinar will cover:
-Digital technologies in the public health response to Covid-19: contact tracing and communication with communities
-Digital technologies used by individuals and groups to promote wellbeing
-The effects of using digital technologies with diverse communities during the pandemic
-Artificial intelligence and Covid-19 vaccination process.
This webinar is open to all businesses keen to explore and understand the digital health landscape.
This free to attend webinar will be held as part of the SoLSTICE programme – a project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. For further details please click here. This event is classed as State Aid to participating businesses, the value of which is £190, but is delivered completely free of charge to participant
Please note: Whilst this event is held as part of the SoLSTICE programme, attendance is not restricted to companies in the LLEP area.
DURATION 1 hour 30 minutes

Speaker Profiles:

Stuart Hilton, Head of Commercial Partnerships, DMU
Biog to follow

Professor Bertha Ochieng, Professor of Integrated Health and Social Care, DMU
Bertha Ochieng is Professor of Integrated Health and Social Care, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University. A key aspect of her research is in examining digital solutions that support development of integrated models of health and social care and community engagement.

Professor Ivan Browne, Director of Public Health at Leicester City Council
Ivan Browne is the Director of Public Health at Leicester City Council and has been spearheading the local response to COVID 19 in the City. He is a professor of public health practice with De Montfort University and has a particular interest in the potential of digital technologies to improve population health and wellbeing.

Q& A Panel

Dr Fabio Caraffini, Associate Professor in Computer Science, DMU.
Fabio Caraffini is the programme lead for the MSc Intelligent Systems/Intelligent Systems & Robotics and the institute head of research students for the Institute of Artificial Intelligence. He has extensive research experience in designing and applying heuristics for optimisation, Computational Intelligence for classification problems, and their joint use to optimally address real-world problems.

Dr Mario Gongora is Associate Professor in the School of Computer Science and Informatics at De Montfort University (DMU), he is the Faculty Enterprise Lead and a senior member of the Institute of Artificial Intelligence at the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Media. Dr. Gongora is a leading researcher in the subject of applied computational intelligence, particularly in the fields of Data analysis in large and complex datasets and modelling Natural Phenomena, including identification, simulation, and optimisation.

Professor Francisco Chiclana is a Professor of Computational Intelligence and Decision-making with the Institute of Artificial Intelligence and School of Computer Science and Informatics, De Montfort University, Leicester, U.K. Prof. Chiclana is currently a Highly Cited Researcher in Computer Sciences (according to Essential Science Indicators by Clarivate Analytics). He is an Associate Editor and a Guest Editor for several ISI indexed journals. His research interest includes fuzzy preference modelling, decision support systems, consensus, recommender systems, social networks, rationality/consistency, and information fusion.

Dr Raymond Moodley is currently a visiting researcher at the Institute of Artificial Intelligence, DMU. He is an expert in Applied AI with a primary focus on AI for Societal Enhancement and has led research, developed AI algorithms, and published papers in several aspects of societal enhancement including in Education, Health, Crime Prevention, and Consumer Retail. Dr Moodley also has over 20 years of commercial experience including in business strategy and in the design and implementation of large-scale IT projects.

MedTech Integrates 2021
2021-06-22 08:45 - 16:00
Focused on technology, diagnostics, devices, therapeutics organisations, and regulators
Inspired by the success of the inaugural MedTech Integrates in last October, Life Science Integrates is delighted to announce the second Medtech Integrates conference. This one-day gathering of technology, diagnostics, devices and therapeutics organisations, as well as clinicians and regulators, provides a platform to discuss the major challenges impacting the MedTech sector.
Broadcast live on 22 June 2021, Medtech Integrates addresses the needs of the MedTech community to overcome the challenges needed to achieve a transformation of diagnostics and devices in healthcare.
This year our three core themes are for the event are:
Detection: Disease detection is key to diagnosis and treatment. How are we accelerating the clinical translation of MedTech, and is it impacting wealth as well as health?
Reflection: 2020 was an unprecedented year. What impact has it had on medtech development and commercialisation?
Projection: What does the future hold for virtual clinical consultations and trials, data sharing and disease prediction? And how will regulations change?
Networking: You will also have the opportunity to network amongst the exhibition area during specific times of the day. Be sure to say hello to the Medilink team.
For more information and to view our agenda and high-profile speakers please go to
www.lifescienceintegrates.com/medtech-integrates-2021
MEDILINK MEMBERS OFFER:
We have 25 complimentary tickets for Medilink Members (SMEs only). Please click here to contact us by 17:00 on 18 June 2021 to obtain your promo code to obtain your tickets. Please note: The complimentary tickets are on a first come, first served basis. Registrations cannot be accepted after this date.
In addition, to register for a delegate pass with 25% Medilink Member discount, please click here to contact us by 17:00 on 18 June 2021 to obtain your promo code. Please note: Registrations cannot be accepted after this date.

WEBINAR: Surviving the Times: Legal update for Life Science and Healthcare Organisations
2021-06-23 10:30 - 11:30
Join Shakespeare Martineau on Wednesday 23 June and find out the latest legal updates for Life Science and health care organisations.
With recent trends in the healthcare and life sciences sector of companies seeking advice on agreements governing channels to market (particularly cross-border), e.g. territory-based marketing agent, sales agent, distributor, and reseller arrangements, this webinar provides the opportunity to hear from the team of experts at Shakespeare Martineau, who will cover:
– Different types of commercial agent
– Agents, distributors, and resellers
– Why outsource your marketing and distribution arrangements?
– What is the difference between an agent, a distributor, and a reseller?
– Advantages & disadvantages of agency vs. distribution/reselling
Plus:
– Round-up of recent HR changes and a look ahead to future changes expected
– Case law update – recent cases of note
– What next for employers – life after the pandemic.
In addition to the presentations, there will be plenty of time to put your questions to the speakers.
Please feel free to submit any questions in advance, at the time of event booking. Alternatively, you can ask at any point during the live broadcast.
TO BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE PLEASE CLICK HERE
Speaker Profiles:
Rhys Wyborn, Partner, Shakespeare Martineau
Rhys is an employment law specialist helping employers manage their staff and HR issues from recruitment through to termination of the employment relationship, with everything in between! Specialisms include: – handling disciplinary and grievance issues; defending unfair dismissal and discrimination claims; redundancy and business reorganisations; TUPE transfers and corporate support; drafting bespoke employment contracts and HR policies. He is also regularly instructed to advise on severance agreements for senior executives and other employees, including the drafting of terms and negotiating matters to a conclusion. Rhys also provides training on HR issues via seminars and forums and bespoke training events for clients including Mock Tribunals and managing investigations.

Ed Wright, Partner, Shakespeare Martineau
Ed works with clients from all sectors including life sciences and technology, media and telecoms on wide-ranging non-contentious commercial, contractual, IP, ICT, e-commerce, data protection, competition and public procurement law issues. He advises on IP creation, ownership, protection and exploitation, including technology transfers, R&D collaborations and agency, distribution/reselling and franchising arrangements. Ed has a keen interest in drafting/advising on IP licensing arrangements and, whenever possible, presents and writes on topical commercial and/or IP matters.

WEBINAR: Maximising your Membership
2021-06-24 13:30 - 14:30
Join us for our second Maximising your Membership virtual event, aimed to showcase the key benefits , events and offers that are included as part of your membership.
In this interactive session, chaired by our CEO Darren Clark, we will be joined by Educo Life Sciences, learning and development specialists providing technical training solutions to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, cell & gene and medical device industries – who will discuss exclusive member discounts available.
In addition, we will be joined by current member Cambridge Sleep Sciences Ltd, who will provide an insight into how being a member has benefitted their organisation.
Join this event to understand and learn:
• The benefits and value of being a member
• How we can continue to support your business and assist with raising your profile
• Exclusive offers and discounts offered by our Patrons and Members• Details of member-only events
There will also be an opportunity for you to ask questions directly to the team at Medilink Midlands.
If you are not currently a member and wish to find out more, we would be delighted if you could join us. If you are

unable to attend but require further information on membership, please click here to contact us and we will get in touch.
Dial-in details will be provided to delegates by a member of the Medilink Midlands events team once the online registration form has been completed.
Book Now
Speakers:

Darren Clark, CEO Medilink Midlands

Dr. Julian Stone, CEO, Cambridge Sleepp Sciences
Julian has extensive global experience working across software, med-tech, electronics and manufacturing, holding a senior position at $28bn turnover business MiTAC inc. He holds various NED positions and has successfully grown SME businesses over the last 30+ years.

Educo Life Sciences to follow

Medilink Midlands Innovation Day 2021
2021-06-29 09:00 - 14:00
Medilink Midlands is pleased to announced that the 16th annual Innovation Day will be broadcast live online for 2021.
Innovation Day sits proudly in our calendar of events as the most exclusive and must-attend event for anyone involved in Life Sciences.
Albeit in a digital format, the day will bring together companies and delegates from across the sector.
The day will consist of:
-Virtual events with top speakers covering hot topics relating to the sector
‘GOVERNMENT LIFE SCIENCES STRATEGY UPDATE’, Julia Dudley, Deputy Director of Innovation and Growth, Office for Life Sciences
‘DIAGNOSTIC INNOVATION TO MEET UNMET NEEDS’ – Dr Ashton Harper, Head of Medical Affairs – Access & Innovation, Roche Diagnostics Ltd
‘THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF YOUR HOMEWORKERS – HOW THIS AFFECTS YOUR BUSINESS’ Adam Noach, Head of Strategic Analytics, Vitality UK
‘HOW MEDTECH COMPANIES WILL DRIVE THE FUTURE OF HEALTH’ Karen Taylor, Director – UK Centre for Health Solutions, Deloitte UK
‘INNOVATION TO TRANSFORM THE NHS’ Professor Tony Young OBE, National Clinical Lead for Innovation NHS England & NHS Improvement
-Presentations from Spotlight Companies, showcasing their products and services
James Finney, Project Manager – LLSA (Leicester Life Science Accelerator) University of Leicester.
Katherine Bourne, Director, Accelerate Associates
Dr Rouzet Agaiby, Head of Business Development, eg Technology
Vincent Seddon, Head of Business Development, TBAT Innovation
To download a copy of the programme CLICK HERE
To register your interest and for full information on the speakers, please click here
Please note: There are three virtual sessions, you will need to register separately for each of the three sessions. There is no charge for delegates to attend this virtual event.
Innovation Day 2021 is sponsored by Pioneer Group:
Pioneer Group create innovation ecosystems for the business of science. Integrating venture development, investment, real estate and powerful sector-specific business-focused networks, Pioneer Group create the environments in which science and technology businesses are more likely to succeed.
Pioneer Group have the largest innovation ecosystem for the science and technology industries. With 600 companies across our portfolio, we make up 7.5% of the UK innovation ecosystem.
Pioneer Group was founded in April 2021, following the acquisition of BioCity by Trinity Investment Management and Harrison Street Real Estate Capital, part of a pre-existing joint venture.
Astellas Venture Management LLC, a wholly-owned venture capital subsidiary of Astellas Pharma Inc, and Pioneer Group, the UK’s largest ecosystem provider for science and innovation businesses, today announce a new collaborative sponsorship and first of its kind initiative to support early stage science ventures.
https://thepioneergroup.com/

Medilink Midlands Business Awards 2021
2021-06-30 15:00 - 18:00
The Medilink Midlands Business Awards for 2021 are a celebration and showcase for the best of the best in the Life Sciences sector for the East and West Midlands.
The Awards are comprised of 6 awards: See who the finalists are here.
The afternoon will provide the opportunity to network, see who the winners are and to be entertained by Chris Turner, Comedian and Freestyle Rapper as he hosts the proceedings for the afternoon – see profile below.
Programme
3pm – Online Networking
3:30pm – Entertainment
3:45pm – Welcome from Professor Martin Levermore, Chairman, Medilink Midlands
3:50pm – One to Watch, Start Up and Export Achievement Awards presented
4:20pm – Entertainment
4:35pm – Delivering Innovation in to Health and Care, Innovation and Outstanding Achievement Awards presented
5:10pm – Closing remarks from Dr Darren Clark, Chief Executive, Medilink Midlands
5:15pm – Online Networking
6:00pm – Close
Online registration has now closed, any queries please email info@medilinkem.com

Our awards would not be possible without the support of our wonderful sponsors, click here to read about the sponsors:
– One to Watch Award, sponsored by Horiba UK
– Start Up Award, sponsored by Nottingham Trent University’s Medical Technologies and Advanced Materials Research Theme and the Medical Technologies Innovation Facility
– Export Achievement Award, sponsored by Midlands Engine
– Delivering Innovation into Health and Care Award, sponsored by the West Midlands and East Midlands Academic Health Science Networks
– Innovation Award, sponsored by Potter Clarkson
– Outstanding Achievement Award, sponsored by Mills & Reeve LLP

In Association with Med-Tech Integrates
Hosted by:
Chris Turner, Comedian and Freestyle Rapper

Chris’s quotable gags and rapid freestyle raps have established him as one of the most in-demand acts on the corporate circuit, and at comedy clubs around the world. He is based in the USA and regularly performs at New York’s world famous Comedy Cellar and LA’s legendary Comedy and Magic Club.
His keen wit and intelligent wordplay have seen him rack up over 30 million views on YouTube; headline for 1 million Dutch comedy fans on RTL4’s flagship stand up show, The Comedy Factory; appear live on BBC Radio and perform sold-out five-star runs at festivals worldwide.
Chris is a sought-after entertainer on the corporate circuit, hosting awards and performing for many of the world’s largest organisations, as well as being a firm favourite of many of the UK’s biggest sports teams. He has worked with Yorkshire Tea to create Blessed are the Teamakers, a tea-centric rap with 6m+ views, and with Coca-Cola to produce comedic content for their mobile media platform.
He speaks at conferences on the applications of improvised rap in business; his performance at tech conference Wired 2016 led to invitations to events across the globe, and in May 2017, appeared at renowned human rights conference the Oslo Freedom Forum. Chris has interviewed Jerry Springer, introduced Garry Kasparov, and rapped for Imogen Heap, and Yasiin Bey. In 2019, he entertained an audience of 2000 during Forbes’ most recent 30 under 30 conference in Detroit, appearing between headline speakers Kevin Durant and rapper Quavo. Throughout 2020 and 2021, he has performed over 200+ virtual shows for companies including Nike, Microsoft, Google, BCG, Bain & Co., McKinsey, IBM, Samsung, and many more.

MPD Training Course: Medical Device Regulation in the EU, GB & NI
2021-07-06 09:00 - 17:00 | MeetPoint Midlands, Conference Centre, 28 High Street, Kegworth, Derbyshire, DE74 2DA
THIS COURSE IS NOW FULL. To be placed on a waiting list, please click here.
PLEASE NOTE: This course has been designed for an in-person audience, but will also be available as an interactive virtual event to those who are unable to attend in person. WE ARE CURRENTLY ONLY ACCEPTING IN-PERSON REGISTRATIONS
The venue and all participants will be required to adhere to social distancing guidelines at all times. Please see further information below regarding COVID-19 compliance at the venue.

This is a one-day course designed for those who need to better understand Medical Device Regulation in Europe, Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Comprehensive slides and information will be supplied on the day alongside a wealth of experience, insights, examples and methods.
This one-day course will help you better understand the:
o EU Medical Device Regulation;
o UK & Northern Ireland transitional requirements and timings regarding Brexit;
o How to classify your medical device;
o Gain useful insights into technical documentation and labelling;
o Gain useful insights into clinical evaluation, usability, and what really matters.
o Gain lots of insights into helpful guidance, and white papers.
Plus, you will be able to ask ‘that question’ of one of the UK’s most experienced medical device consultants.
Please note that this course is available as both a face-to-face, and interactive virtual event.
To view the programme and for further information (including target audience, learning outcomes and speaker profile) please click on the Event Brochure or Detailed Course Content links below:
EVENT BROCHURE
DETAILED AGENDA

MEMBER
NON-MEMBER

STANDARD
£200
£300

EARLY BIRD OFFER*
£160
£240

VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE**
£180
£270

All prices are excluding VAT.
Once we receive your booking form, you will be sent a confirmation email and invoice. If attending virtually, payment is required at least 3 working days prior to the commencement of the event to receive joining details.
*EARLY BIRD OFFER – Book before 5pm on Tuesday 8th June 2021 (please note this offer does not apply to virtual attendance)
**VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE : This is an interactive session via Microsoft Teams that will require the use of webcam and computer audio at all points throughout the training course. Prior to booking this option please ensure that your system allows the use of Teams, webcam and computer audio. Relevant documents for use on the day will be sent electronically.
You will have the ability to ask questions directly to our presenter at any point throughout the training course.
Refunds are not available for non-attendance.
PLEASE NOTE: When booking, please note in the comments section whether you wish to attend IN PERSON or VIRTUALLY.
How to find MeetPoint Midlands
Conveniently located off Junction 23a/24 offering easy access to Derby, Nottingham and Leicester. The nearest train station is East Midlands Parkway which is 3.4 miles away. To help plan your journey, please click here to visit the venue’s website. Complimentary on-site car parking is available
Venue – COVID-19 Compliance
* The room will be laid out in classroom style with relevant spacing between tables
*All rooms have a hands free hand sanitiser nearby
*Social distancing measures will be in effect for all toilets
*Delegates will be required to wear a face mask while moving around the venue, but will be able to take them off during the training course
*Individual boxes will be provided for lunch – with options for Meat eaters, Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten Free

Webinar: How well are you conducting your virtual meetings and webinars?
2021-07-07 10:00 - 11:00
In a world where the majority are working remotely, the ways we present ourselves has changed. But whether we are talking about delivering client-facing webinars or meetings, or even internal team meetings via video software, it is vital that we continuously improve our approach and performance in order to deliver an inspiring and engaging experience for our audience.
COVID-19 has changed so much in our business lives and online communication has become the norm. From a business perspective we are now spending much of our day talking to colleagues or customers online, and from a marketing perspective, webinars have replaced conferences, and even were conferences are taking place, the virtual partnering platforms often require online video conferencing.
The Life Sciences Marketing Special Interest Group will cover best practice for delivering brilliant presentations and conducting excellent meetings to help you promote yourself and your business. This webinar will be of value to all who have to, or might have to, create and deliver business presentations, webinars or hold meetings as part of their current role – and who want to be the best at it!
The webinar will cover:
-The types of virtual meetings and webinars
-Current industry challenges
-The best approach for delivering engaging meetings and webinars
-The purpose and nature of presentations.
-Knowing what success looks like and the need for clearly defined outcomes.
-It’s all about the audience!
There will also be an opportunity to put your questions to our presenters in a Q&A session.
This free to attend event is held as part of the INSTILS programme – a project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, click here to be re-directed to further information about the project. This event is classed as State Aid to participating businesses, the value of which is £127, but is delivered completely free of charge to participants.
Please note: whilst this event is held as part of the INSTILS programme, this event is not restricted to those in the D2N2 area.
DURATION: 1 HOUR

Robin Bodicoat, Marketing Director at Quotient Sciences
Robin is the CIM qualified, Marketing Director at Quotient Sciences, a leading drug development services organization. He is also an active Board Member of the BMC (Business Marketing Club), which is the independent voice of the B2B marketing industry. He has 15+ years’ experience in Life Sciences, Pharma and Healthcare, with knowledge in marketing campaign planning and strategy, and brand development. In 2017 he managed the global re-brand of Quotient Sciences.

Lizzie Butler, Founder & Creator, LB Communications Ltd
Lizzie Butler is the founder and creator of LB Communications – an exciting business that shares the most essential communication skills for corporate and individual development!
With over 20 years’ experience working for blue-chip companies, not-for-profit organisations and the public and private sectors, she helps individuals and businesses to enhance their skills, grow their businesses and develop their teams through brilliant communication.
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WEBINAR: The MindTech Method: improving your chance of success in digital mental health
2021-07-08 11:00 - 12:30
Digital mental health is an attractive space for SMEs as it offers not only the potential to do good but to do it in new and innovative ways. Despite digital health being a billion-pound industry, many companies struggle as they face challenges in evaluation and barriers to implementation. On the app store there are thousands of mental health offerings but very few are evidence-based and sustainable. Our mental health system is under immense pressure with a lack of coverage for specific care and long waiting lists. There is both the need and the enthusiasm, so why is it still so difficult?
MindTech is a national centre, funded by NIHR, focusing on the development, adoption and evaluation of new technologies for mental healthcare and dementia. MindTech specialises in applications of digital technologies such as computerised therapies and diagnostics, deployed on smartphone apps, wearables and virtual reality, as well as medical devices and assistive technologies. For the past 8 years, and alongside their Involvement Team who bring expertise by experience, they have been working with industry, academia and the NHS to meet the unmet needs of patients, families and professionals through new technologies.
This webinar will provide an overview of MindTech’s research and will share the lessons they have learned through these collaborations from development all the way through to adoption. It will highlight how researchers and companies can work with each other and the NHS to develop and evaluate high quality evidence-based digital mental health interventions that lead to real world adoption.
MindTech is especially pleased to showcase case study presentations from three of their industry partners:
– BfB Labs: From problem space to solution to implementation can be a long road. BfB Labs will share their journey to rolling out a multi-award winning ‘Digital therapeutic app’ (CE marked medical device)
– ProReal: Avatar therapy and virtual world technology in mental healthcare
– QbTech: Highlighting the support that they had to achieve their many successes
After the presentations there will be a Q&A .
DURATION: 1.5 hours
This webinar is brought to you by the National Institute for Healthcare Research MindTech MedTech Co-operative, organised and delivered by Medilink Midlands and funded through a University of Nottingham Small Business Engagement Award.
Speaker Profiles:

Dr. Michael Craven, Principal Research Fellow, NIHR MindTech MedTech Co-operative
Mike leads the Technology, Design and User Experience theme within MindTech. At the University of Nottingham he is a member of the Bioengineering research group in the Faculty of Engineering and the Institute of Mental Health’s Centre for Dementia. Mike contributes expertise in design and evaluation of digital health, medical device related interventions and assistive technologies. He conducts health technology assessments for NHS organisations and industry and contributes to policy on digital mental health. Currently, he is co-investigator on several of MindTech’s large collaborations and trials of technologies which include evaluation of cognitive training software, remote/mobile mental health and virtual reality therapy, and various co-design projects with patients and healthcare professionals.

Dr Aislinn Bergin, Research Fellow, NIHR MindTech MedTech Co-operative
Aislinn is primarily working on the gameChange project – an automated VR therapy for people with psychosis – where her research focuses on the implementation and sustainability of complex interventions.
Aislinn has a PhD in Digital Mental Health and a BA (Hons) in Developmental Psychology. Previous research has covered the use and development of digital mental health which led her to research that could help ensure high quality evidence-based digital mental health is adopted into the health and social care economy. She has previously worked as research manager at a local Healthwatch ensuring that peoples’ voices are heard in health and social care, which provided her with significant insight into how local health economies function.

Rebecca Woodcock, Patient and Public Involvement Co-ordinator: Mental Health & Technology Research, NIHR MindTech MedTech Co-operative
Informed by a career championing diverse voices in the charity sector and benefiting from a recent MSC in Voluntary Sector Management, Rebecca brings both passion and personal lived experience to supporting patient and public involvement.
Her role involves developing and delivering our Involvement strategy, whilst working with colleagues across the Institute of Mental Health, other Biomedical Research Council (BRC) themes, national bodies and industry partners to support the implementation of best practice within PPI.
As well as working with Researcher to develop and refine their PPI strategies, Rebecca has recently co-produced a framework for supporting digital PPI and worked with PPI colleagues and public contributors to present at the MindTech Annual Conference.

Dr Charlotte Hall, Senior Research Fellow, NIHR MindTech MedTech Co-operative
Charlotte’s main areas of interest include the implementation of technology to support the assessment, monitoring and treatment of mental health disorders within children and young people, particularly in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Charlotte has specific expertise of the design, conduct and management of clinical trials in community child mental health services and child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and is interested in the nuances in online trail delivery.
Charlotte is trial manager for the ORBIT study, which is evaluating the remote digital intervention for tics. Amongst other studies, Charlotte is also a co-investigator on the FACT trial, assessing the use of the QbTest for young people in prison (led by Dr Chitsabesan at the University of Manchester), the QUOTA Trial assessing QbTest or medication management (led by Dr Maddie Groom at the University of Nottingham) and the SATURN trial which looks at medication for children with ADHD and tics. Charlotte is also acting as site lead for the OPTIMA Trial, investigating the online delivery of a parent ADHD intervention and is principal investigator on the WAIT study looking at waiting list interventions in CAMHS. She was also the trial manager on the AQUA Trial which investigated the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the QbTest, the findings of which are being implemented in routine practice.

Dr Jen Martin, Senior Programme Manager, NIHR MindTech MedTech Co-operative
Jen has worked in the healthcare technology field for more than 20 years and is currently MindTech’s Senior Programme Manager. Prior to this, Jen was Senior Research Fellow in Human Factors at the University of Nottingham. Jen’s interests lie in the development, evaluation and adoption of mental health technologies such as Virtual Reality, games and digital interventions.
Jen is a co-investigator on the NIHR-funded gameChange project which is using VR to transform the lives of people with psychosis, and leads the implementation workstream within this. She is a member of NHS England’s Expert Reference Group for Digital Innovation and Adoption and is also an advisor to NICE as part of their work on accreditation of mobile health apps.

Manjul Rathee, CEO, BFB Labs
Manjul is an impact entrepreneur, with deep expertise in service design & product innovation in a variety of sectors (including health tech, youth welfare, wellness travel and more). She is the CEO of BFB Labs, a highly innovative mental health tech company developing cutting edge digital therapeutics for better youth mental health, and the Co-founder of sight loss public health initiative Eye Heroes. She has a Masters in Sustainability, and has led the development of multi-award winning digital products/services and taking them to market nationally and internationally.

Andrew Jackson, Chief Executive, ProReal
As a Partner at PwC and an Executive in IBM, Andrew has over 25 years’ experience supporting organisations and people through change. Curious about coaching and technology, Andrew was the co-founder of ProReal Ltd, a company and a team who believe in a world where relationships and sense-making are built on more than words. They have developed an avatar-based 3D visualisation technology to help people tell their stories and share how they see the world. ProReal’s research programme describes the technology’s adoption in healthcare, prisons, schools, and social care settings, and by several NHS Trusts.

Jo Barosa, Account Director, QbTech and UK & Operational Lead for the National Programme Focus ADHD
Working for over 2 decades in the ADHD arena, 10 of them at Qbtech, Jo is passionate about improving outcomes for children and adults by consulting on ADHD care pathways and supporting clinicians, services and Trusts with business plans, clinical information and governance and procurement considerations to secure additional funding needed to support positive change, including adoption of objective testing (QbTest).

VIRTUAL COFFEE BREAK - East Midlands Academic Health Science Network
2021-07-13 12:30 - 13:30
Join EMAHSN for an informal virtual coffee break on Tuesday 13 July at 12:30pm, we will be joined by Victoria Townshend who is a Lead Change Manager for Lincolnshire Sustainability Transformation Partnership (STP). Victoria will be providing insight in regard to her role and responsibilities from an NHS commissioning and wider NHS landscape perspective as well as tips for innovators who are looking to engage with the Healthcare system. This informal gathering will provide you with the opportunity to share your experiences and ask questions.
Networking opportunities are a key part of Medilink Midlands events and whilst the current COVID-19 crisis still restricts face to face events, this online opportunity enables the life sciences community to still connect with one another.
Grab a coffee, a biscuit and join us.
Joining details will be provided to delegates by a member of the Medilink Midlands events team once the online registration form has been completed.
If you have any topics that you’d like to discuss in future EMAHSN coffee breaks, please feel free to email any suggestions to us by clicking here.

Chair: Julian Patel, Commercial Manager EMAHSN

Aisha Ajij, Project Support and Industry Liaison Officer, EMAHSN

Guest Speaker: Victoria Townshend, Lead Change Manager, Lincolnshire Sustainability Transformation Partnership (STP)
