Medilink Midlands

NIHR i4i FAST Awards Live Q&A Session
2024-10-09 11:00 - 12:15 (Europe/London) | Online
The NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) Programme is launching Call 4 of the FAST (Funding At the Speed of Translation) funding scheme. FAST is aimed at innovators in need of a small amount of funding to answer a specific question or to fund a single piece of activity to advance healthcare technologies and interventions for increased patient benefit. Awards are designed to address an evidence gap and innovations must have demonstrated experimental proof of concept as a minimum.
Key features of FAST Call 4

Simple application process, fast response
Development of innovative healthcare technologies for acquired brain injury (ABI), including the prevention, diagnosis and management of ABI as well as recovery from ABI
Funding a single activity to address an evidence gap
Applications between £50k and £100k over 6 to 12 months

The event will provide an opportunity to ask questions on eligibility, remit, the application process, finance queries, contracts or IP. If you have any doubts if your proposal is within remit or would like advice about preparing your application, please come along and seek some clarification.
To book your place, please click here.

IN-PERSON EVENT: MTIF and Catapult Cell and Gene Therapy
2024-10-09 13:00 - 18:00 | Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Campus, Clifton Lane, Nottingham, NG11 8NS
NTU and MTIF invite you to attend our interactive event, a collaboration between Medical Technologies Innovation Facility (MTIF) and Catapult CGT at Nottingham Trent University. Learn how MTIF and CGT Catapult use their capabilities and assets to advance the cell and gene therapy sector. Discover how we can provide you with the expertise and resources to develop your own clinically and commercially viable ATMP.
MTIF and CGT Catapult use their capabilities and assets to advance the cell and gene therapy sector. Discover how we can provide you with the expertise and resources to develop your own clinically and commercially viable ATMP. This event will be delivered by experts from across the Cell and Gene Therapy Industry as they discuss a range of topics including:

Translational non-clinical considerations for the development of an ATMP
Cell and Gene Therapy Process Development
CAR-T Therapy Innovations and the Impact on Patients
Exploration of Cell Therapy
Applications in Musculoskeletal Conditions
ATMP Manufacturing Challenges in Academic Settings

We encourage academics, clinicians and researchers from industry to attend this free event. You will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from MTIF, Catapult CGT, as well as other stakeholders from the Cell and Gene Therapy industry.

If you are interested in attending this exclusive event, please complete the Expression of Interest Form.

IN-PERSON EVENT: Growing your life sciences business in the US and China
2024-10-16 09:30 - 14:00 | Santander, The Bradfield Centre, 184 Cambridge Science Park Rd, Milton, Cambridge, CB4 0GA
The pandemic threw the life sciences industry into the spotlight, with the UK emerging as a life sciences superpower. In fact, UK life science exports were worth £24.2 billion in 2021. From aging populations to aging equipment and infrastructure, global markets are calling out for innovative technologies to solve their challenges. No more so than the two largest life sciences markets – the US and China. Between them, they accounted for almost $500 billion worth of medical imports in 2022. And your business could be the answer. But how can you break into these high growth markets?
Santander are hosting an exclusive face-to-face seminar which aims to give you invaluable insights and strategies to effectively navigate and thrive in the two largest healthcare markets in the world.
Join them to:

Discover the market opportunities for your business.
Get tips for navigating the regulatory landscape in both markets.
Explore new partnership opportunities within each market.

Why the US?
As the largest healthcare market in the world, the U.S. healthcare sector’s profit pools are expected to jump from $583 billion in 2022 to $819 billion by 2027.
Key growth areas include:

Medicare advantage.
Outpatient care settings.
Healthcare services and technology (HST).
Specialty pharmacy.

Why China?
China is the 2nd largest healthcare market in the world and is expected to triple in size by 2030.
Despite advancements in the provision of healthcare, China has a long way to meet the wide range of challenges it faces, including:

An ageing population.
Regional and urban/rural disparities.
Medical equipment upgrades.
The diagnosis/treatment/prevention of illnesses and diseases.

Who is this seminar for?
Companies across the life science sector with innovative products and existing or potential ambitions to grow their business internationally, specifically in the US and/or China.
This includes:

Advanced medical devices and technologies.
Digital health solutions.
Biotech.
Pharmaceuticals.

Please note:
The seminar is free-of-charge to attend but subject to confirmation from the event organisers due to limited capacity.
The seminar will cover:

Global Growth for Life Sciences & Insights from Industry Leaders.
Accelerating Global Growth Strategies with Santander Navigator.
Seizing Opportunities in the US & China.
Navigating Key Barriers to Growth in the US & China.

You will also have the opportunity to take part in an interactive Q&A and networking. To register, please click here.

Birmingham Tech Week 2024
2024-10-21 - 2024-10-25
Birmingham Tech Week is a festival of digital, technology and innovation in the West Midlands.

Attended by over 7,500 people, Birmingham Tech Week is the UK’s largest regional tech conference and a great opportunity to learn more from renowned keynote speakers. Events will be taking place across the entire West Midlands, and online, covering a variety of important and innovative topics.

Events will run from Monday – Friday, with an inspiring grand finale of the Evolution Drone Light Show on Saturday. A full breakdown of the main events can be found here.

This is a fantastic opportunity to expand your knowledge and network with other professionals, not to be missed! To find out more, and book your place, please click here.

IN-PERSON: The West Midlands Health Tech Showcase - Birmingham Tech Week
2024-10-22 08:00 - 15:30 | Millenium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG, United Kingdom
An all-day event celebrating the region’s world-class health and medtech advancements.

This unique gathering brings together innovators, healthcare professionals, industry leaders, and support networks to explore the latest breakthroughs and collaborative opportunities. Plus, discuss policy and the strategic vision for Tech in Health and Life Sciences.
The event will also feature an exhibition of innovators demonstrating their groundbreaking technologies and solutions, including Aston Vision Science, Championsys and FourPlus Immersive supported through the West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA), as well as the Plug and Play Expo, showcasing the latest batch of 11 innovative health tech startups on the Plug and Play accelerator program.
Agenda

8:00 Registration & Exhibition
9:00 Welcome to HealthTech 2024
9:05 Panel: The West Midlands: HealthTech Ecosystem
10:00 WMHTIA presentation
10:30 Break
11:00 Medilink Midlands facilitated discussions::

Political Landscape:
Strategic Vision:

11:30 The Changing Landscape of Healthcare and Life Sciences

Unlocking Healthcare’s Hidden Demand
Panel Discussion

12:30 Lunch
13:30 Plug & Play health tech accelerator batch 2 EXPO
15:30 Exhibition, Networking & Drinks Reception

The WMHTIA is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology, delivered in partnership with Innovate UK and the West Midlands Combined Authority.

IN-PERSON EVENT: Tech Growth Forum - Attract investment and gain a competitive edge
2024-10-22 09:00 - 11:30 | Marks & Clerk, Alpha Tower, Birmingham, B1 1TT, United Kingdom
As part of Birmingham Tech Week (21-25 October), join Marks & Clerk to learn how to attract investment and gain a competitive edge in the tech industry.
Understanding the commercial potential of intellectual property (IP) is vital for businesses seeking to turn innovation into profit. Businesses that have a clear IP strategy have a higher likelihood of growth, attract greater attention from investors and have increased revenue. This session will help you understand how to use intellectual property to protect the value of your business and how this can help you secure investment in the future.
Our speakers include an investor and the CEO of a successful tech business, who will share their insights on how to grow and attract investment. You will then be able to ask the speakers questions during the panel discussion.
There will also be the opportunity to book a free, confidential 1-2-1 chat with an IP expert at the IP clinic (to take place after the event).
The experts:

Glenn Fletcher, CEO of Tribosonics, a 2024 Tech Climber whose innovative sensing technologies are driving digital transformation.
Surjit Kooner, Investment Director at Midven, a venture capital firm who have invested more than £100m into early-stage businesses and startups to help grow some of the West Midlands’ most exciting businesses.
Philip Cupitt, Martin Hyden and Amy Dunn, Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys from Marks & Clerk, a specialist intellectual property firm.

To view the agenda and book your place, please click here.

IN-PERSON EVENT: HiMed Bootcamp
2024-10-30 10:00 - 16:00 | Arise Innovation Hub, Maypole Boulevard, Harlow, CM17 9TX
China is the second largest and fastest-growing Medtech and Biotech market globally. In recent years, this has led to a heightened investment interest from Chinese Medtech and Biotech companies in the global healthcare and medical research sector.
The Bootcamp will tangibly equip leaders to life science and broader healthcare companies with the knowledge required to develop a successful business strategy for China. The intensive one-day schedule will incorporate sessions on accelerating the path to entrepreneurship, developing a market entry strategy, successful partnering approaches, regulatory pathways, distribution and marketing, market risks, common pitching techniques, and key success factors for introducing healthcare products, technologies, and services into China.
The course integrates the innovative Biodesign theory (The Process of Innovating Medical Technologies), which is the culmination of 16 years of medical entrepreneurship at Stanford University’s Biodesign Research Center. This theory was introduced to China by Professor Chengli Song of USST and has been implemented as the core curriculum of the Bootcamp by HiMed-Joyin since 2017. To date, 20 bootcamps have been successfully delivered, with over 300 entrepreneurs participating in previous sessions. Notably, more than one-third of the companies have reported achieving their goals and experiencing rapid development and growth in their businesses.
This course also encapsulates years of collective experience in the China market and life science commercialization, garnered from specialists, enterprises, and investors, along with insights from other renowned speakers from the global medical industry. By the conclusion of the bootcamp, founders will be equipped to formulate a comprehensive China market entry plan, which will then be presented to a panel of investors and industry experts as a pivotal deliverable.
Hosted at Arise Harlow Innovation Hub
Arise is an Innovation Hub for businesses specialising in the Health, Performance and Wellbeing sectors, and is part of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU). With Hubs strategically located in Chelmsford and Harlow, members can enjoy tailored business support, including access to grant funding, networking opportunities and serviced office facilities.
Arise is supported by the expertise and resources of ARU, providing skills, talent, innovation and business support. Arise is a partnership between ARU and Essex County Council with support from Chelmsford City Council and Harlow Council. This partnership aims to promote business growth in Essex.
To view the full agenda, and register your place, please click here.

IN-PERSON: 2024 SEHTA International MedTech Expo & Conference
2024-11-01 09:00 - 17:30 | Hilton London Tower Bridge Hotel, Tooley Street, London, SE1 2BY
The SME focused healthcare event for driving collaborations between Business, Care & Clinicians & Academics for the MedTech, Lifesciences, Medical Devices, Diagnostics, Digital Health, NHS Sector

For the last 19 years, Science & Engineering Health Technologies Alliance (SEHTA) has developed an excellent reputation for support of its 1,500+ members.
Especially SMEs, through its business support, commercialisation, mentoring and events programmes.
Their 2023 event was an outstanding success. Aimed at SMEs, Corporates, Academics & NHS Healthcare providers, with 45 global sponsors & exhibitors and over 260 registered delegates taking part.
This year, they’re returning for the 4th year to the Hilton London Tower Bridge Hotel on Friday 1st November 2024.

The SEHTA conference and expo helps delegates

Showcase: A range of highly innovative and adoptable technologies
Navigate: Make sense of the complexities of health and social care delivery, and the challenges of accessing the NHS.
Find: Funding opportunities with Investors & Accelerators from both private and public sources
Identify: Current clinical challenges in the NHS

And perhaps most valuable of all… Make new contacts leading to collaborative partnerships at the event.

IN-PERSON: Sustainable Innovation in Healthcare
2024-11-05 10:00 - 15:00 | Charnwood Campus, Bakewell Road, Loughborough, LE11 5RB
Health innovations and treatments that consider climate change, sustainability, and nature should be integral to functioning of a health system. Placing sustainability at the core of the future of healthcare offers opportunities to deliver better treatments, services, support healthier populations, and save costs. The NHS has committed to reaching net zero by 2040 for the emissions they control directly, and by 2045 for the emissions they influence, through the goods and services they buy from partners and suppliers. With all new NHS procurement in requiring a Carbon Reduction Plan or Net Zero Commitment it is essential the business selling to the NHS are actively working on reducing their carbon footprint.
If you are looking for help and advice in how to improve the sustainability of your business join us to hear how our local business leaders are working to deliver their Net Zero plans, from product innovation, to where to start with carbon foot printing, to improving the sustainability of their supply chains into their business, this event will cover topics essential to ensure your business growth is on track.
By attending this event, you will: –

Learn from other business who are taking steps to deliver their Net Zero
Discover what funding and assistance is available
Engage in a panel debate on ways to improve your business road map to Net Zero
Pitch your new sustainable innovation or business process
Network with likeminded businesses

Confirmed Speakers

Nicole McGlennon, CEO Health Innovation East Midlands & Event Chair
Barzin Gavtash, Director of Commercial Strategy – MDI, Kindeva Drug Delivery
Prof Andre Ng, Professor of Cardiac Electrophysiology; Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, University of Leicester, President of the British Cardiovascular Society Graeme Cameron, CEO, Pennine Healthcare
Sam Stephens, Director, TBAT Innovation Ltd
Sean James, Arden Tissue Bank Operations Manager, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust
Tim Robinson, Commercial Director, HIEM

Do You Have a Sustainable Innovation or Process that you want to shout about?
We have a limited number of short presentation spots where you can share your latest sustainable innovation or talk about a process change that you have introduced to help your company on its pathway to Net Zero. Presentations slots are five minutes and there is time for two PowerPoint slides.
To book your free tickets, please click here.
We also have a limited number of exhibition opportunities
Headline Sponsors: TBAT Innovation, Kindeva Drug Delivery, Golds Sponsors: Mills & Reeve, Chester Medical
For further information and to book your slot please contact: Lucy.Alexander@charnwoodcampus.com.

IN-PERSON: Patron Social
2024-11-06 14:00 - 16:30 | Everards Brewery, Cooper Way, Everards Meadows, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE19 2AN, United Kingdom
A high-end networking opportunity intended for our Patron Members to enjoy with Medilink Midlands.
This month’s Patron Social is being held at Everard’s Brewery in Leicester.
This event is invitation only and details will shared with Patron contacts via email. If you have missed your invitation please contact events@medilinkmidlands.com.

WEBINAR: Unlocking Funding Opportunities
2024-11-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Join TBAT Innovation for this insightful webinar with our expert Esther Lawrence, Head of Business Development (Grants) where we’ll look at the funding available for UK businesses, and how to utilise the schemes such as Innovate UK Grant Funding.
Innovation is inherently risky, making UK Government funding and assistance a key part of de-risking a new project.
Schemes such as Innovate UK Grant Funding are designed to support and accelerate the research and development your business undertakes.
This webinar will cover:

Current Grant Funding Opportunities & changes to the landscape post-election
How to apply for Funding
Eligibility
Top Tips

There will be a Q&A session during the webinar, as well as an opportunity to book a free 1-2-1 discussion post-event with Esther.
Register here: https://tbat.co.uk/events/webinar-unlocking-funding-opportunities/

IN-PERSON EVENT: Medilink Midlands Innovation Builder Ideation Workshop
2024-11-07 10:00 - 12:30 | Charnwood Campus, Bakewell Road, Loughborough, LE11 5RB
Medilink Midlands, working in partnership with our Entrepreneur in Residence Christian Kumar, has launched the Medilink Midlands Innovation Builder programme, designed to help founders discover a scalable business model for their new innovation.
A highly practical programme, and not a series of theoretical course of lectures, the programme will comprise online events, coaching, peer networks/learning and one-to-one access to an expert network of leading sector experts and investors.
To find out more we are running two Medilink Midlands Innovation Builder Ideation Workshops, 7th November at Charnwood Campus and 8th November in the West Midlands (booking information for the 8th will be available soon).
Programme:
10:00am – Registration, Refreshments and Networking
10:30am – Welcome, Melanie Davidson, Chief Executive Officer, Medilink Midlands
10:35am – Launch details of the Medilink Midlands Innovation Builder, Christian Kumar, Entrepreneur in Residence, Medilink Midlands
12:00pm – Networking
12:30pm – Finish
Open to all those interested in entering the programme or those interested in becoming an Innovation Builder Delivery Partner.

Charnwood Campus Science, Innovation and Technology Park have kindly provided the conference room for the event to take place and we are pleased that Charnwood Campus Life Sciences Talent and Skills Institute are supporting this event. The Charnwood Campus Life Sciences Talent and Skills Institute is a collaborative endeavour between industry and educational partners to address the short- and long-term skills requirements.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE ONLINE*
*Please note registration for this event closes at 5pm on Thursday 31st October.

Meet the Facilitator – Christian Kumar, Chief Executive Office, Medtech Makers Lab
Christian brings his extensive experience in corporate finance, investment banking and wealth management. This has been gained over three decades of dedicated involvement in driving strategic growth for various enterprises to help support the ambitions of Medilink Midlands members as they strive to commercialise their own innovations.
Throughout his career, Christian has honed a profound understanding of strategic growth across diverse sectors, and is proud to have played a pioneering role in developing “demand-based” business modelling.

Christian thrives in the dynamic realms of Corporate Finance and Investment Banking, evident in his impressive portfolio encompassing six companies and over 22 investments across sectors such as Leisure, Med Tech, Construction, and Energy.
Currently, he is actively engaged in supporting universities and governmental bodies in devising strategic inbound investment initiatives. His role involves shaping comprehensive expansion strategies that harmonise with their overarching goals, fostering growth and innovation within these institutions.

IN-PERSON EVENT: Medilink Midlands Innovation Builder Ideation Workshop
2024-11-08 10:00 - 12:30 | Salts Healthcare, Unit 1, Richard St, Aston, B7 4AA
Medilink Midlands, working in partnership with our Entrepreneur in Residence Christian Kumar, has launched the Medilink Midlands Innovation Builder programme, designed to help founders discover a scalable business model for their new innovation.
A highly practical programme, and not a series of theoretical course of lectures, the programme will comprise online events, coaching, peer networks/learning and one-to-one access to an expert network of leading sector experts and investors.
To find out more we are running two Medilink Midlands Innovation Builder Ideation Workshops, 7th November (read more, book online here) at Charnwood Campus and 8th November in the West Midlands.
Programme:
10:00am – Registration, Refreshments and Networking
10:30am – Welcome, Medilink Midlands
10:35am – Launch details of the Medilink Midlands Innovation Builder, Christian Kumar, Entrepreneur in Residence, Medilink Midlands
12:00pm – Networking
12:30pm – Finish
Open to all those interested in entering the programme or those interested in becoming an Innovation Builder Delivery Partner.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE ONLINE*
*Please note registration for this event closes at 5pm on Friday 1st November.

Meet the Facilitator – Christian Kumar, Chief Executive Office, Medtech Makers Lab
Christian brings his extensive experience in corporate finance, investment banking and wealth management. This has been gained over three decades of dedicated involvement in driving strategic growth for various enterprises to help support the ambitions of Medilink Midlands members as they strive to commercialise their own innovations.
Throughout his career, Christian has honed a profound understanding of strategic growth across diverse sectors, and is proud to have played a pioneering role in developing “demand-based” business modelling.

Christian thrives in the dynamic realms of Corporate Finance and Investment Banking, evident in his impressive portfolio encompassing six companies and over 22 investments across sectors such as Leisure, Med Tech, Construction, and Energy.
Currently, he is actively engaged in supporting universities and governmental bodies in devising strategic inbound investment initiatives. His role involves shaping comprehensive expansion strategies that harmonise with their overarching goals, fostering growth and innovation within these institutions.

MEDICA 2024
2024-11-11 08:00 - 2024-11-14 17:00 | Messe Dusseldorf, Messe Dusseldorf, Stockumer Kirchstraße 61, Dusseldorf, Germany
Medilink UK, the largest representative body in the UK for life science companies, are the exclusive UK partners by Messe Düsseldorf for MEDICA in Germany. Since 2021, Medilink has hosted the largest, most visible group of UK companies attending MEDICA. As a direct result of this success Medilink UK are continuing to expand their presence with a larger UK pavilion at MEDICA 2024. This new, larger and upgraded British pavilion provides UK companies with access to industry leading support at the world’s largest healthcare and life sciences event.
MEDICA has being running for over 40 years, occupying 17 exhibition halls and over 114,000sqm of exhibition space. It regularly attracts several thousand exhibitors from 70 countries (including a huge participation from UK companies) and is now firmly established on every expert’s calendar, underpinning a lot of companies’ annual marketing plans. Each year leading individuals from business, research, healthcare and government visit the exhibition alongside tens of thousands of national and international experts and decision-makers. In previous years, our UK exhibitors were visited by healthcare professionals from as far as the US and South America, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East and Far East Asia.
What are the options for exhibiting at MEDICA?
Shell scheme: This is our most popular exhibition stand option and each stand comes complete with carpet, electricity, nameboard, lighting and furniture package. We can offer a range of sizes in multiples of 3m.
Pod: The pod is our smallest exhibiting option and is one size only. It is suitable for one member of staff and those with very small products to show, or service providers. The pod comes complete with carpet, electricity, nameboard, lighting, 1 stool, 1 cabinet with graphic backdrop and a shared meeting area. Due to space limitations, companies are not permitted to bring pop-up banners. Any products must fit on top of the lockable cabinet (we can advise of this before signing up).
Space Only: With this option, you would book the raw floor space with Medilink and work with an exhibition contractor to design your own custom-built stand, for an additional cost with them. We can happily recommend our chosen stand builders for a cost-effective and easy experience. This option tends to be for larger spaces, however we can offer a range of sizes in multiples of 3m, with the minimum being 21sqm.
To book your exhibition stand or to discuss your requirements, please contact our friendly and helpful team, here.

IN-PERSON: Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement in Med Tech
2024-11-12 09:00 - 12:30 | Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre, 53 Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham, B15 2RS
Join us to understand the importance of patient and public involvement and engagement throughout the med tech development cycle and how its integration from as early as possible can lead to product success.This free event is hosted at the Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre in Birmingham on Tuesday 12th November 2024, and is sponsored by the West Midlands Health Technology Innovation Accelerator programme (WMHTIA) in collaboration with Medilink Midlands.Free tea, coffee, and pastries will be provided.
Event Programme
9:00 – 9:30 Registration
9:30 – 9:40 Introduction – Sian Dunning, Medical Devices Testing and Evaluation Centre, UHB lead for WMHTIA
9:40 – 10:30 Best practices for engaging with patients throughout the product development lifecycle – Dr Jonathan Gregory, NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Devices, digital and Robotics (HRC DDR) Digital theme lead
10:30 – 10:50 Refreshments/ Networking
10:50 – 11:15 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in research and development – Freen Mehdi, Research Inclusion Manager NIHR Birmingham BRC, NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Devices, digital and Robotics (HRC DDR)
11:15 – 12:05 Case study – shared experience of early patient and public involvement in development of a medical device – Louise Ben -Nathan, Managing Director, LBN Innovations Ltd.
12:05 – 12:20 NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Devices, Digital and Robotics – Olivia Brookes, Programme Manager, NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Devices, digital and Robotics (HRC DDR).
12:20 Closing remarks
12.30 Networking
Location:
Composer’s suite, Edgbaston Park Hotel & Conference Centre

IN-PERSON EVENT: Annual Life Sciences conference: Clinical Trials and AI - Legal Challenges and Pitfalls
2024-11-14 09:00 - 14:00 | Pennington Manches Cooper LLP, 125 Wood Street, London, EC2V 7AW
Penningtons Manches Cooper are delighted to invite you to our upcoming conference, “Clinical Trials and AI Legal Challenges and Pitfalls”.
This event is designed to bring together anyone working in the biotech, pharma, techbio, med tech, or tech sectors who are interested in hearing about the legal issues around the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in life sciences and in particular around use involving clinical trials data. Anyone from these sectors are welcomed, whether or not you are early stage or at clinical stage, and whether or not you are already using AI.
The conference sessions include:
Introduction: Unlocking Potential – Using AI in Clinical Research
Hosted by Professor Martin Wilkins, Professor of Clinical Pharmacology, Imperial College, London
Harnessing AI for Clinical Trials: Navigating the Options and Ensuring Regulatory and Data Protection Compliance
Lisa Page (Penningtons Manches Cooper) & Nora Pook (Penningtons Manches Cooper)
This session will delve into the transformative impact of AI on clinical trials, with a particular focus on the use of AI on pre-existing clinical data. The discussion will address key legal considerations, including data protection, consent requirements, and intellectual property (IP) rights:
• Overview of AI systems’ use in clinical trials and regulatory backdrop/requirements for the AI systems UK/EU/FDA
• Initial use case for Pre-screening of patients and any regulatory hurdles
• Data protection considerations and approach with examples also of client advice
• Use cases for clinical trial management/post trial use of data (historical and current)regulatory considerations.
• Data protection aspects for the above use cases especially for use of pt data that is not a part of the trial (Anonymised vs Pseudonymised data).
The Global Landscape of AI and Data Regulation
This session will provide an overview of the regulatory landscape impacting AI, data, and associated rights within life sciences. Our expert panel will cover the UK’s regulatory environment, while external panelists will address key regulatory requirements in other jurisdictions such as in the US and Europe. Discussions will focus on how these regulations influence the development and deployment of AI in biotech and medtech, highlighting compliance strategies and future trends.
Panel Discussion: Real-World Applications of AI in Clinical Trials Data
This panel will share real-world experiences and the discussion will explore practical challenges, successes, and lessons learned, offering attendees valuable insights into the application of AI in the field.
Join us for a morning of insightful discussion, expert opinion and valuable networking opportunities with professionals in the life sciences sector. As part of conference a light breakfast will be served, and lunch to follow the sessions.
To register your place, please click here.
If you have any queries, please email Kelly Ray.

IN PERSON Event: Innovations Against AMR 2024
2024-11-20 10:00 - 16:30 | Enterprise Wharf, Innovation Birmingham, Holt Street, Birmingham, B7 4BB, United Kingdom
We are pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Innovations Against AMR event, taking place place on Wednesday 20th November at Enterprise Wharf in Birmingham.
The event is running during World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW), a global campaign to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance and encourage best practices to prevent the spread of drug-resistant infections. The Theme for WAAW 2024 is “Educate. Advocate. Act now”.
This year, our Innovations Against AMR Event is focused on novel developments within the field of combating AMR throughout the UK, with a special focus on small and medium enterprises. We are interested in hearing from companies in various stages of spinning out and developing their ideas and providing a platform for discussion, collaborations and advocacy against AMR.
This event has grown year on year, bringing together innovators, researchers and other stakeholders working in this sector and has proven a great opportunity for networking and building collaborations. Medilink Midlands are pleased to be partnering with WMHTIA, Bruntwood, Cytecom and the newly established UKRI AMR Network – ARREST AMR to deliver this event:

WMHTIA provides companies access to services and expertise that are essential in critically developing technologies.

Medilink Midlands provides support services to healthcare businesses in the Midlands region, including networking opportunities, business development advice, and access to funding.

Bruntwood SciTech is a property and innovation company that provides flexible workspace and support services to science and technology businesses.

Cytecom is a pioneering SME that has developed a rapid method for diagnosing bacterial infections and advocates for raising awareness about antimicrobial resistance.

The ARREST-AMR (Accurate, Rapid, Robust, and Economical One Health Diagnostics for antimicrobial resistance) network will work alongside seven other networks to bring together diverse expertise from academia, industry, government, regulatory agencies, and charities. They will foster collaborations, drive innovation, and develop effective strategies for implementing fit-for-purpose One Health AMR Diagnostics.

5 Reasons to Attend the 3rd Annual Innovations Against AMR Event
1. Be at the forefront of AMR innovation: Connect with leading innovators, researchers, and industry experts driving advancements in combating antimicrobial resistance. Discover the latest breakthroughs and explore potential collaborations.
2. Support SMEs and foster growth: Learn about innovative solutions developed by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and contribute to their success. Network with like-minded individuals to create new partnerships and drive innovation.
3. Gain valuable insights and knowledge: Attend engaging presentations and discussions on the latest trends and challenges in the field of AMR. Expand your understanding of the issue and stay ahead of the curve.
4. Network with key stakeholders: Connect with representatives from organisations like Medilink Midlands, WMHTIA, Bruntwood, Cytecom, and the ARREST-AMR network. Build relationships and explore potential partnerships.
5. Contribute to a global cause: Join the fight against antimicrobial resistance by attending this event. Be part of a community dedicated to raising awareness, promoting best practices, and driving positive change.

Agenda
10:00am Registration
10:30am Opening Remarks
10:50am Session 1: Understanding and Tackling the Multidimensional Challenges of AMR
11:05am Arrest AMR Network Introduction
11:35am Role of AMR Diagnostics in Primary Care
11:50am Comfort break
12pm Showcase of Innovators
12:30pm Lunch break
1:15pm Session 2: From Concept to Commercial
2:15pm Showcase of Innovators
2:45pm National Biofilm Innovation Centre
3:15pm Closing Remarks followed by networking
4:30pm Depart

Speaker Information

Dr Enrico Marsili
Dr Enrico Marsili received his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Rome, Italy. After postdoctoral research at University of Minnesota, he took a Lecturer position at Dublin City University. In 2012, he joined the newly formed Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Singapore, as Principal Scientist. In 2019, he moved to Nazarbayev University as Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering. Since 2022, he is Associate Professor in Life Sciences and Healthcare at University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China. His research focuses on the characterisation of mixed biofilms using electrochemical methods and the development of novel bioprocess for efficient biosynthesis of commodity chemicals in biofilms. He collaborates with several institutions in China, such as South China University of Technology (SCUT), Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT) and Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM). He has received competitive funding from Collaborative Research Programme and Marine Research Program (National Research Foundation, Singapore), Public Utility Board, Singapore, and municipal level funding (Ningbo, China).

Dr Philip Turner
Dr Philip Turner is a senior researcher in the Infections, Respiratory and Acute care Research Group and the Head of Operations of the HealthTech Research Centre in Community Healthcare (Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust) based at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at the University of Oxford. His research interests include the diagnosis and management of common infections and approaches to antimicrobial stewardship in community healthcare settings. Recent activities include co-leadership of the RAPTOR-C19 evaluations of point-of-care tests for SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses in community care, trial management support for the trans-European VALUE-Dx PRUDENCE RCT of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of diagnostic interventions for RTI, and co-investigation on the NIHR and NHSE-funded TOUCAN evaluation of novel diagnostics for acute uncomplicated UTI.

Dr Abigail Moore
Dr Abi Moore is a practicing GP in London and a clinical researcher in the Infections, Respiratory and Acute Care Research Group based at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at the University of Oxford. Abi has a clinical and research interest in the care of older people in care homes. Her PhD is on understanding acute functional decline and its relationship to urinary tract infections in this patient group. Abi is co-lead of the DISCO UTI study which is developing new ways to accurately diagnose UTI in care home residents, including approaches incorporating novel diagnostic tests.

To read more about Medilink Midlands’ role within the WMHTIA project, click here.
For more information on the wider project, click here to visit the WMHTIA website.
This event forms part of the West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA) event series. Medilink Midlands are one of a consortium of delivery partners for the WMHTIA, a project funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Innovate UK and West Midlands Combined Authority (part of City Regions).

Medilink Midlands Annual General Meeting
2024-11-26 13:45 - 14:30 | Royal Air Force Museum Midlands, Lysander Avenue, Cosford, Shifnal, TF11 8UP, United Kingdom
The 2024 Medilink Midlands Annual General Meeting, will take place on Tuesday 26 November from 1:45pm-2:30pm.
Following the formal presentations, you will have the chance to meet and network with fellow members and representatives from the Board of Directors.
At the end of the formal proceedings, guests will have the opportunity to join the Winter Networking Event, including an opportunity to participate in a unique aviation experience. Please note separate booking is required here.
We’re looking forward to seeing our members and hope you can join us.
Please note: Non-members are welcome to attend the AGM.
AGM Notice
AGM Agenda
MM AGM Proxy Form
For details on dialling in or attendance, please click here to email and request.
Please note: Our Winter Networking event is taking place immediately after the AGM at RAF Museum Midlands, it is important that you register for the Winter Networking event separately, for details and to register, please click here.

IN-PERSON EVENT: Medilink Midlands Winter Networking
2024-11-26 14:30 - 17:00 | Royal Air Force Museum Midlands, Lysander Avenue, Cosford, Shifnal, TF11 8UP, United Kingdom
The Medilink Midlands Winter Networking Event is taking place on Tuesday 26 November at the Royal Air Force Museum Midlands in Cosford. The skies your limit, so take your networking to the sky whilst exploring the museum and enjoying a light afternoon tea and refreshments.
Programme:
2:30pm – Registration, Talk and Walk Networking around the huge array of aircraft and displays, plus a Flight Zone Activity*
4:00pm – Cream Tea and Refreshments and further Networking
4:30pm – Presentation from Melanie Davidson, Chief Executive Officer, Medilink Midlands
4:45pm- Presentation from the Event Sponsor – The Clarion Hotel Charlecote Pheasant Stratford upon Avon, Morgan O’Kennedy, General Manager
5:00pm – Event Close
*Each delegate will have the opportunity to take part in one of the following activities:
• RAF Paradrop
• Typhoon Simulator
• Dambusters VR Experience
• 4D Theatre Experience
• Spitfire VR Experience
• Spitfire Cockpit Experience
Event Sponsor: The Clarion Hotel Charlecote Pheasant Stratford upon Avon
We are delighted that The Clarion Hotel, Charlecote, Pheasant Stratford upon Avon are sponsoring this event. A 3 star, full of character and historic charm, a stone’s throw from Charlecote Park lies this former farmhouse that boasts its own landscaped gardens, plus exquisite period furnishings. With a wealth of delightful features and quiet corners to discover, our little hamlet is a joy to explore at any time of year. Perfect for a stroll, afternoon tea or even or a walk to the Charlecote Mill where you can buy your own flour.

Exclusive Offer:
Escape to tranquillity with our two-night getaway package at the Clarion The Charlecote Pheasant Hotel, Stratford upon Avon. Relax in a classic double or twin room, indulge in full English breakfast each morning and delight in a two-course dinner on the first night, accompanied by a glass of fizz. With ample time to explore and unwind amidst beautiful surroundings, this getaway ensures unforgettable memories in a serene setting. 2 Night stay; including bed and breakfast, 2 course dinner on the first evening with a glass of fizz. £199 based on two people sharing a standard double or twin room. To book ring – Tel: 01789 335960 or click here to email Sales Manager CP – quoting medilink. Stays until 30.04.25 – Subject to availability at the time of booking.
Tickets:
1 x free ticket per member organisation
Non-member tickets: £50
Additional Member tickets: £35 (includes 30% discount)
NB. Please email events@medilinkmidlands.com for booking codes.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE ONLINE*
*Please note, registration for this event closes at 5pm on Tuesday 19 November.

IN-PERSON: SEHTA & KiTEC Health Technology Assessment Workshop
2024-11-27 10:30 - 15:00 | The London Institute for Healthcare Engineering (LIHE), 100 Lambeth Palace Road, London, SE1 7AR, United Kingdom
Understanding the role of Early Value Assessment for technology adoption in the NHS.

This workshop will examine the context of HTA and EVA’s in the commissioning and use of digital tools globally and the specific requirements used by NICE for the adoption of technologies within the NHS.
Health Technology Assessment is becoming increasingly used by health authorities globally to assess the clinical and economic effectiveness of Heath Technologies. Early value assessment (EVA) is a tool used by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to assess those technologies that address unmet need and align with the NHS Long-Term Plan.

This approach allows rapid assessment of digital products, devices and diagnostics for clinical effectiveness and value for money, so, the NHS and patients can benefit from these promising technologies sooner. Reports on products assessed using the EVA approach are published in reports addressing unmet need, existing evidence and identing key gaps in evidence.

Costs: SEHTA Members – £80+VATpp / Non-Members – £120+VATpp
Not a member of SEHTA – register for basic FREE membership here
To find out more information, view the schedule, and register your place, please click here.

ONLINE EVENT: Internationalising MedTech Innovation
2024-11-27 13:00 - 15:00 | Online
Are you ready to take your EU-based MedTech innovation to international markets? Med-Di-Dia and Global Regulatory Services (GRS) are thrilled to announce an invaluable webinar, Internationalising Your MedTech Innovation, tailored to help medical device companies achieve global success.
This dynamic session will walk you through the regulatory, strategic, and practical steps needed to bring your medical devices and technologies to the UK, USA, MDSAP regions, and beyond. Don’t miss this chance to gain critical insights from industry experts with decades of experience navigating the complexities of MedTech internationalisation. Whether you’re looking to refine your market entry plan, grasp regulatory standards, or connect with the right networks, this session has you covered.
About the Webinar Topics and Speakers
This session will provide a comprehensive pathway for EU-based MedTech innovators, covering market analysis, planning, compliance, and more. Each topic has been carefully selected to ensure you leave with actionable insights and a clear roadmap for entering and thriving in these new markets.
Register Today!
Spaces are limited, so make sure to secure your place. Register now via this link for an interactive and insightful session. Please see further details of what you can expect below:
Key Topics

Regulatory Landscape Overview:
Starting off, Jacob Skinner from Global Regulatory Services [GRS] will dive into the latest QMSR requirements for the USA, set to take effect in February, and discuss regulatory changes in the UK. With extensive experience in UK and EU regulatory affairs, Jacob is well-versed in helping companies navigate evolving requirements in multiple jurisdictions.
Market Analysis and Funding Opportunities
Joop Tanis, Director of MedTech Consulting at Health Tech Enterprise (HTE), will provide insights into market analysis and funding routes for MedTech in the UK and USA. With a background as a Chartered Physiotherapist and a career in the NHS, Joop’s understanding of clinical, organisational, and financial dynamics will offer a unique perspective on what it takes to launch and fund innovation in healthcare markets.
Project Planning and Management for Internationalisation
Professor Laurie Rowe, founder of Red Medtech, will share her expertise on project planning and management. Laurie has over 20 years in MedTech consulting, covering everything from quality systems to compliance. Her guidance will ensure you’re well-prepared to tackle the intricate planning and management needed for successful internationalisation.
Collaboration and Networking Essentials
Ben Roberts from Medilink Midlands will discuss the essentials of collaboration and networking as part of scaling internationally. Medilink Midlands is renowned for fostering valuable connections within the life sciences industry, and Ben’s insights into building partnerships will be instrumental for attendees seeking to establish a foothold in new regions.
Technical Due Diligence
David Warwick, Director at eg technology, will cover technical due diligence for market entry, especially in the USA and MDSAP regions. David’s role in MedTech product development and compliance ensures he brings a practical approach to this critical topic, helping attendees identify and address potential technical challenges in new markets.
Go-To-Market Strategies for the UK, USA, and MDSAP Regions
Martin Sandhu, Managing Partner at nuom, will present a session on go-to-market (GTM) strategies for entering the UK, USA, and MDSAP regions. With expertise in aligning products with regional needs, Martin’s experience in GTM strategy will equip companies with the know-how to achieve product-market fit and successfully scale in diverse regions.
Leveraging Support Networks in the UK
Tammy Holmes, from Health Innovation West Midlands will outline the various support mechanisms available in the UK for EU companies. With 21 years of NHS experience and a role at HI West Midlands focused on economic growth, Tammy’s insights will guide EU companies on leveraging regional support networks to foster success in the UK market.
Health Software Compliance and ISO 82304 Implementation
Charles Lowe, from DHACA (Digital Health and Care Alliance), will provide insights into the importance of ISO 82304 implementation for health software compliance and its role in supporting MedTech internationalisation. He will also explore the Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC), a vital framework for assessing digital health technologies in the UK, ensuring safety, usability, and effectiveness. Charles’s expertise will guide attendees in aligning their digital health innovations with key standards for successful global market entry.
MDSAP Compliance Essentials
Dr. Shahram Ahmadi from Med-Di-Dia will close with insights on MDSAP compliance, crucial for multi-regional market success. With 14 years of experience across implants, PPE, and dermatology products, Shahram will help you view regulatory requirements as an enabler for market entry, giving practical tips on navigating compliance efficiently.

Who Should Attend?
This webinar is ideal for:

Regulatory Affairs Professionals seeking clarity on new and upcoming requirements in the USA, UK, and other regions.
MedTech Executives planning to launch or scale products internationally.
Business Development Strategists looking to understand the landscape and devise actionable go-to-market plans.
Product Managers aiming to ensure technical compliance and readiness for new markets.
Innovation and Research Leaders interested in leveraging support networks and funding opportunities.

This session is packed with expertise and guidance tailored to equip you for the complex journey of internationalising your MedTech products. You’ll leave with a toolkit of insights and contacts to drive your global ambitions forward.

IN-PERSON EVENT: Driving The Future of Smart Manufacturing
2024-11-29 09:30 - 15:00 | DRPG (UK) Limited, Unit 212, Ikon Industrial Estate, Droitwich Road, Hartlebury, Worcestershire, DY10 4EU, United Kingdom
If you are considering expanding your business in Germany and the EU, we have an exceptional opportunity for you! NRW.Global Business, invites you to a complimentary event, “Driving the future of Smart Manufacturing” on 29 November 2024 at DRPG’s global headquarters in the Midlands.
NRW. Global Business is a Trade and Investment Agency of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany’s economic powerhouse and largest state by GDP and population.
This event will bring together UK businesses interested in learning more about business opportunities in the smart manufacturing industry in NRW and professionals from NRW in this field. It will also launch our Startup Welcome Package that provides qualifying startup companies with up to EUR 10,000 that can be redeemed for a coworking space and professional services related to the exploration of the German market via NRW.
To book your free place, please email David Schneider. For further information, and to view the full agenda for the day, please click the link below:
Exclusive Invitation- Smart Manufacturing event 29 November

IN-PERSON: WMHTIA International Assembly - Exhibition, Conference & Brokerage Event
2024-12-03 09:00 - 17:00 | NEC Birmingham, Hall 2, Birmingham, B40 1NT, United Kingdom
Join the WMHTIA International Assembly – a flagship conference, exhibition and networking event uniting key healthcare innovation ecosystem players, including leading-edge businesses, innovators, funders, researchers, health sector representatives, suppliers, and sector specialists from the West Midlands, the UK and beyond.
Delivered in collaboration with the WMHTIA consortium, Innovate UK and supported by the Department for Business & Trade.
​​Register to:
​​​​Gain insights from experts and network with leading industrial and research players in the field

​​Collaborate with like-minded innovators from the UK and beyond
​​Extend your global networks and identify partners for international research and innovation projects
​​Connect to global DBT and Innovate UK initiatives including Global Innovation & Incubation Programmes.
​​Develop opportunities for investment as well as funding for international collaborative projects through programmes such as Horizon Europe, EUREKA and the European Innovation Council (EIC).

Agenda
​​High-level plenary session
Hear about the flagship West Midlands WMHTIA and its achievements alongside insights from leading experts on the latest market and technology trends in health tech.
Health Tech brokerage event led by Innovate UK Business Growth
​​Take advantage of an exclusive opportunity to set up one-to-one meetings with likeminded innovators, market players and industry experts from across Europe and beyond.
Workshops
​​The WMHTIA prides itself on uniting the region’s key players under one cohesive programme.
​​To demonstrate the services and breadth of expertise our partners can provide, we have developed 9 interactive workshops offering practical guidance on a range of themes connected with health tech and the process of developing and bringing new technologies to market.
​​​A total 9 workshops will be taking place over the course of two periods, enabling you to attend 2 different workshops of your choice. Please indicate on the registration form the 2 workshops that you would be interested in attending. This will allow our team to gauge interest and plan accordingly. Expressing your interest in a workshop is not understood as commitment at this stage.
Medilink Midlands & West Midlands Growth Company will be delivering the ‘Why the West Midlands is the ideal location for your healthcare & life science business’ workshop.
Registration
​​To read more and book your place, please click here. ​For any enquiries, please contact wmhtia-events@contacts.bham.ac.uk ​​
Please note: Registered event delegates will receive a confirmation email providing a link to register and create a profile on B2match – an intuitive networking tool allowing you to schedule targeted meetings with fellow event registrants.
​The WMHTIA Is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, delivered in partnership with Innovate UK and the West Midlands Combined Authority.

IN-PERSON EVENT: Accessing NHS Real-World Testing and Evaluation Facilities
2024-12-04 09:15 - 13:30 | Education and Conference Centre, Queens Medical Centre, Derby Road, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, United Kingdom
Taking place at the Education and Conference Centre at the Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, this event will provide you with an exclusive opportunity to tour the NIHR Nottingham Clinical Research Facility (CRF) and the Trent Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre.
At this half-day event you will also be able to find out about the Medilink Midlands MeTAP Business Support Programme, how you can work with the University of Nottingham and Centre for Healthcare Technologies and services that the Centre for Healthcare Equipment and Technology Adoption (CHEATA) can provide.
Programme:

9:15am – Registration, Refreshments and Networking
9:45am – Welcome and MeTAP Overview, Victoria Patel, Innovation Manager, Medilink Midlands
9:50am – What does the NHS want from MedTech developers? Sarah Bolton, Business Manager, Centre for Healthcare Equipment & Technology Adoption (CHEATA)
10:10am – Working with the University of Nottingham, Deanne Hewson, Senior Healthcare Technologies Manager, Centre for Healthcare Technologies (CHT) and Caroline Sykes and Paul Rice, Business Engagement Team, University of Nottingham
10:30am – Tours of the NIHR Nottingham Clinical Research Facility (CRF) and the Trent Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre (delegates will be able to go on both tours)
12:30pm – Lunch and Networking
Information about the tours:
We encourage you to take up the opportunity to tour the NIHR Nottingham Clinical Research Facility (CRF) and the Trent Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre – both based in the Queens Medical Centre. Co-located with the NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, the Clinical Research Facility has more than 3000m2 of purpose-built adult and paediatric inpatient research space in one of the biggest hospitals in the UK.
The Trent Sim Centre comprises a full immersion high-fidelity simulation suite where in-situ simulation events can be created reflecting most clinical settings. Scenarios to evaluate clinical interventions and the introduction of new technology can be created with structured human factors analysis and feedback. In addition, the clinical skills facility offers more traditional hands-on clinical training, including surgical skills, resuscitation courses and a range of clinical competencies.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE*
Please ensure that you secure your free place, as spaces are limited and available on a first come, first served basis, priority will be given to companies based in Nottingham City Centre. Please note, registration for this event closes at 5pm on Wednesday 27 November.
Speaker Profiles:

Victoria Patel, Innovation Manager, Medilink Midlands
Victoria joined the team in March 2019. She brings extensive experience with ERDF funded projects from her previous roles, delivering business and funding support to Leicestershire businesses at the Growth Hub and LLEP. Victoria has a BA from Leicester University and also has hands-on experience of growing a successful, innovative business.

Sarah Bolton, Business Manager, CHEATA
Sarah is the Business Manager at CHEATA, a part of NUH NHS Trust, which supports med-tech developers to gather evidence for NHS adoption. She is responsible for running CHEATA as well as selected project delivery including value propositions, literature searches and clinical evaluation reports. Sarah was an experienced research scientist and prior to joining CHEATA was responsible for Healthcare and Medical Devices at Pera Technology. She has a PhD in Biochemistry and carried out post-doctoral research at Oxford and Leicester Universities before spending over 10 years at AstraZeneca as an Experimental Pathologist in the Respiratory and Inflammation Therapy area.

Deanne Hewson, Senior Healthcare Technologies Manager, CHT
Deanne is Senior Healthcare Technologies Manager for the Centre for Healthcare Technologies (CHT), a collaboration between The University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) incorporating CHEATA.
Her work focuses on supporting the development of collaborations between commercial partners, academics and clinicians involved in healthtech research to enable the rapid translation of scientific discoveries into healthcare adoption.

Caroline Sykes, Business Partnerships Manager and Paul Rice, Business Engagement Manager
Caroline and Paul are from the Business Engagement team within The University of Nottingham. Their work focuses on supporting the development of collaborations between businesses and the University through collaborative R&D, consultancy and student engagement. Caroline focuses on supporting industry within the MedTech and Pharma sector.

IN-PERSON EVENT: Understanding Tender Documents and Buyer Requirements
2024-12-09 10:00 - 14:00
The key to a successful tender is fully understanding the tender documents and ensuring your service offer aligns with the buyer’s requirements. This workshop is designed to help small businesses confidently navigate the often complex and detailed requirements set out in tender invitations. By learning how to interpret these documents effectively, you’ll be equipped to craft bids that effectively address buyer needs and avoid costly mistakes.
This hands-on session will walk you through the essential components of tender documents, teaching you how to break down the Invitation to Tender (ITT), understand evaluation criteria, and identify the critical details that can make or break your application.
Key Takeaways:

How to access a grant of up to £8000 to help you win new contracts
Breaking Down Tender Documents: Understanding the different sections and what they mean for your business.
Key Terminology and Concepts: Decoding technical jargon and procurement language.
Reading Between the Lines: How to identify hidden expectations and unspoken buyer priorities.
Responding to Requirements: Ensuring your bid addresses all mandatory criteria and specifications.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid: Mistakes that businesses often make when interpreting tender documents.
Clarifications and Questions: How to seek clarifications and respond to Requests for Information (RFIs).

Who Should Attend?

Business owners, managers, and anyone involved in writing or managing tender submissions.
Businesses that have previously struggled with understanding tender requirements.
Businesses looking to understand how to structure their bids to respond effectively to tender documents.

By the end of this workshop, you’ll have the confidence and skills to interpret tender documents with precision, ensuring that your bids are fully compliant and compelling to buyers. This essential session will help you avoid common pitfalls and boost your chances of success in competitive tendering.
Venue and speaker TBC
This event is free to attend, and places are assigned on a first come, first served basis. Please click here for further information and to register.

IN-PERSON EVENT: East Midlands NIHR Industry and SME Roadshow Event
2025-01-09 09:30 - 14:00 | Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Campus, Clifton Lane, Nottingham, NG11 8NS
Are you a Medtech SME or an organisation supporting medtech SMEs to get an innovative Medical Device, Diagnostic or Digital Health Technology to market?
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) invite you to apply for a place at this half day roadshow specifically tailored for medtech SMEs to find out how the regional NIHR infrastructure can help with:

opportunities for non-dilutive funding
formulating research plans, finding collaborators, supporting centres, data, samples and facilities for R&D
conducting clinical trials in the NHS and other settings
connecting you to other organisations that can help
connecting with the local NIHR Infrastructure

The event will be held at, and in partnership with, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Campus. The university has a range of facilities and expertise to support medtech SMEs in developing high value products and is offering tours of facilities on the day. On site car parking is available for attendees.
Please click here to register your place. Registration will close on 15 December or at capacity of 200 attendees.
Agenda
09.30 Registration and coffee – afternoon tour sign up at registration desk
10.00 Welcome introduction and order of the event
10.05 Overview of the NIHR industry offer – Prof Mike Lewis, NIHR Scientific Director for Innovation and Programme Director for the i4i Programme
10.15 Clifton campus offer for med tech development – Prof Richard Eames, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at NTU
10.25 2 min pitches from NIHR support areas to SME and med tech developers (range of speakers):

Funding
Signposting
Biomedical Research Centres
MindTech HealthTech Research Centre
HealthTech Research Centre for Rehabilitation
Clinical Research Facilities
Experimental Cancer Research Centre
Research Support Service
Regional Research Delivery Network
Applied Research Collaboration
Patient Recruitment Centre

10.55 i4i award showcase
11.00 Exhibition and refreshments
11.10 Breakout session 1 for 1:1 expert advice on

Med tech funding
NIHR support services
HealthTech Research Centre for Rehabilitation

11.40 Breakout session 2 to allow people to attend more than one 1:1 advice session
12.10 Lunch and exhibition stands
13.00 Tours

Medical Technologies Innovation Facilities MTIF. The world class equipment and facilities available across the two sites enable clients to push the boundaries of scientific discovery and pioneer innovative solutions to complex medical challenges. Their scientists, researchers and technicians span a broad spectrum of academic knowledge and expertise, and regularly offer their experience, advice and time to support a diverse range of projects for clients. Both MTIF sites help innovators to overcome barriers and provide cutting-edge solutions, collaborating with organisations across the UK and around the world. At the heart of MTIF’s mission is a commitment to improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
The Medical Engineering Design Research Group MEDRG is based within the Engineering department at Nottingham Trent University and is an interdisciplinary group bringing together a wide range of academics, clinicians, surgeons, healthcare companies and other medical professionals whose interests focus on medical engineering design across a wide range of research specialisms. These include wearable technologies, additive and subtractive manufacturing for medical applications, biomimetics, surgical robotics, augmented/virtual/immersive technologies and environments, and investigative research related to the utilisation of ‘smart materials’ for medical and surgical applications.
The purpose-built Health & Allied Professions (HAP) Centre is home to our world-class teaching, practice, research and scholarship in the Institute of Health and Allied Professions. The 34,000 square foot building features mock hospital wards, consultation and counselling rooms, creative teaching spaces and specialist equipment, providing students with the knowledge and skills required for a dynamic career in nursing, paramedicine and healthcare. The focus on collaborative spaces supports HAP’s growing research and practice focused innovations

14.00 CLOSE

IN-PERSON EVENT: Securing Better Health, Ageing and Wellbeing
2025-01-10 09:30 - 16:00 | Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Campus, Clifton Lane, Nottingham, NG11 8NS
By 2040, nearly one in seven people in the UK is predicted to be aged over 75, with many living with multiple morbidities.
The Blue Zone Consortium (BZC) is a partnership between Nottingham Trent University, University of Leicester and Northumbria University Newcastle, supporting research related to three transversal themes:

Metabolic health
Health and ageing across the life course
Transformative technologies to tackle health inequalities

Their mission is to support inter-sector collaboration to reduce the gap between health span and lifespan.
The event
Hosted at Clifton Campus, NTU, this event will facilitate cross-sectoral networking with the aim of sparking ideas for new collaborations between business and universities to aid the advancement of health and anti-ageing initiatives. The BZC team will share information on the funding opportunity, with a potential £15k available through the Blue Zone Consortium Flexible Talent Mobility Account (FTMA). Intended to support projects that contribute to the mobility and development of researchers, technical professionals across industry, academia and NHS.
Agenda
09:30-10:00 Arrival – Registration and refreshments
10:00-10:45 Welcome and Flash Talks – Introduction to the Consortium and outline of the agenda for the day (15 Mins)
Flash Talks: Part 1
• Transformative Technologies (5 mins) – David Brown
• Healthy Ageing Through The Life Course (5 mins) – Paul Ansdell
• Metabolic Health (5 mins)- Bee K Tan
• BBSRC Introduction (5 mins)- Aidan Grimsley
• Industry Network, Medilink (5 mins)- Victoria Patel
• Example case study, MetalloBio (5 mins)- Michael Murray
10:45-11:30 Insights Exchange Activity
11:30-11:45 Break
11:45-12:45 Thematic discussion
12:45-13:30 Lunch
13:30-14:30 Guided Tours
• A: MTIF & Allied Health
• B: Allied Health & ISTEC
• C: ISTEC & MTIF Posters to showcase skill sets
14:30-14:50 Flash Talks Part 2
• Nottingham City Council- Dana Sumilo
• MTIF- Richard Craven/ Robert Reisel
14:50-15:00 Break
15:00-15:45 Collaboration and Creation of projects ideas
15:45-16:00 Closing Remarks: Professor Richard Emes (Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research) Next Steps: Associate Professor Samantha McLean (Director of Blue Zone, NTU partner)
16:00 Close
Why Attend?

Expand your network: Meet and connect with industry leaders, innovators, and fellow professionals to discuss opportunities the consortium has to offer.
Gain insights: Engage in stimulating discussions and gain valuable insights from experts across different fields and get to know the BZC team.
Collaborate: Discover opportunities for collaboration and partnership.
Increase visibility of the knowledge exchange and industry-facing offerings of the partner institutions.

Who Should Attend?
Open to anyone interested in the biotech, health and wellbeing sector, specifically technical professionals, entrepreneurs, early career researchers with a proof of concept. Plus, we encourage all those eager to expand their professional network and learn about the consortium’s funding and opportunities to attend. The event and funding application is open to all UK or international individual/institution/organisation.
Exclusive Medilink Midlands Member Opportunity
We have an exclusive member offer for up to ten members to secure a free exhibition space at the event (tabletop, no electric). If you would like to be part of the exhibition area, please contact events@medilinkmidlands.com
Click here to secure your free place. Bookings close on Tuesday 17th December. Please secure your place before then.
Please note: All attendees need to be a Blue Zone consortium member, which is free to join and just requires a short application form to be completed. You can access the application in the registration process to the event or find the link here. To find out more on the FTMA funding visit https://bluezoneconsortium.ac.uk/2024-ftma-funding/
Part of the UKRI ‘Securing better health, ageing and wellbeing’ vision.
Competition opens March 2025 and will run July 2025. Attend this event to find out more on the competition timeline and application requirements.

IN-PERSON EVENT: East of England HealthTech Cluster: Connecting People, Creating Opportunity
2025-01-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Arise Innovation Hub, Harlow Innovation Park, Maypole Boulevard, Harlow, Essex, CM17 9TX, United Kingdom
This event, hosted by Medilink Midlands, Health Tech Enterprise and SEHTA is the second in a series of growing the East of England MedTech cluster. In this session we will be summarising and feeding back on the gathered opinion of the first event and laying out the next steps for supporting HealthTech in the East of England.
Attendees will benefit from an expert talk on the deployment of digital health into the primary care sector and we will have a number of SME pitching slots available in which companies can present themselves and highlight any interesting development areas or immediate support needs.
There will be ample time given for networking, to allow delegates to find new connections and share views on the regional needs and focus.
This event is also your chance to influence the future of support in the East of England and contribute to shaping the vision of a MedTech Cluster in the region.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn and have your voice heard!
Programme:
10:00am – Registrations, Refreshments & Networking
10:30am – Strategic Overview & Welcome, Neil Roberts, Managing Director, SEHTA & Dr Anne Blackwood, CEO, Health Tech Enterprise
10:40am – What will be on the GP’s desk in three years time? – A digital health fast forward! Simon Rudland FRCGP, Chair Suffolk GP Federation, Visiting Professor of Integrated Digital Health University of Suffolk and Honorary Senior Lecturer Norwich Medical School
11:00am – Innovator Pitches:

John Cooling, Director, Whzan Digital Health
Eashan Saikia, Co-Founder and CTO, aseptUVa
Dr James Brown, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Supersense Technologies
Japeto
Mohammad Najlah, Interim Director for the Medical Technology Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University and Star-Up Founder
Sufiyan Dayam, Co-Founder, Medhaya

11:25am – Anglia Ruskin University Support, Dr Beverley Vaughan, Arise Innovation Hubs Director, Anglia Ruskin University
11:35am – Closing Remarks and Next Steps, Melanie Davidson, Chief Executive Officer, Medilink Midlands
11:45am – Networking
12:00pm – Close

Tickets:
£15 plus VAT for members of Medilink.
£25 plus VAT for non-members.
NB. Please email events@medilinkmidlands.com for booking codes.
Please ensure that you secure your place, as spaces are limited and available on a first come, first served basis, priority will be given to East of England organisations.
*Please note registration for this event closes at 5pm on Tuesday 7th January.
Speaker Profiles:

Melanie Davidson, Chief Executive Officer, 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).

Dr Anne Blackwood, CEO, Health Tech Enterprise
Anne is Chief Executive of Health Tech Enterprise (HTE), a leading NHS innovation and technology consultancy based in Cambridge. Anne has been actively involved in intellectual property management and commercialisation of life science technologies for over 20 years. She is also Chair of the Medtech Accelerator, a joint venture with public sector partners that awards proof of concept funding to develop medical technologies that meet a clinical need in the NHS. She was formerly Chair and co-founder of Medovate, a venture backed innovation development company dedicated to the commercialisation of medical technologies created within the NHS. Anne is passionate about improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare services through technology and innovation.

Simon Rudland FRCGP, Chair Suffolk GP Federation, Visiting Professor of Integrated Digital Health University of Suffolk and Honorary Senior Lecturer Norwich Medical School
Simon is an enthusiastic, innovative, portfolio GP who has over 30 years of NHS experience. He was a lead GP at Stowhealth working with McLaren Applied Technologies and Proteus as well as other companies. In 2019 he took up a three contract as a visiting GP on the remote island of Hoy in Orkney. He supports general practice at scale and undergraduate education recognising how important digital health is to community care. Through his work as a Clinical Advisor with Health Innovation East he has been privileged to work with some game changing technologies.

Dr Beverley Vaughan, Arise Innovation Hubs Director, Anglia Ruskin University
Beverley joined the Arise Innovation Hubs as Director in June 2021, with over 20 years’ experience in the healthcare and life sciences sector. Beverley trained as a clinical scientist in Haematology and working at Cambridge and London University Hospitals. Working in the innovation sector for the last 10 years with roles in Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst (SBC), Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT) and the University of Oxford. Whilst at SBC Beverley supported the development of translational research facilities and raised funding from multiple pharma and biotech companies for the Open Innovation Challenge in Neurodegeneration. At CGT Beverley managed a wide portfolio of project from novel drug discovery spin outs to NHS led delivery of cell therapy products. Most recently she was responsible for the delivery of a drug discovery consortium-UKSPINE- pivoting traditional pathways to meet the demands of healthy aging with partners, Universities of Oxford, Dundee and Birmingham, Medicines Discovery Catapult, The Francis Crick Institute and Sanger Centre Cambridge. Since joining Arise as Director Beverley has been working on building the life science strategy for their newest hub located on the Harlow Innovation Park, leading on strategy, fund raising and partnering activities to build a cluster of expertise within this synapse of the London-Cambridge corridor. She is also a member of the NC3Rs CRACKIT advisory panel.

Neil Roberts, Managing Director, SEHTA
Neil has been the Managing Director since April 2021, having previously been COO since July 2018. In July 2022, Neil was appointed non-executive Chairman to the Board of Exhalation Technology Ltd, which has attracted more than £11m in investor funding. In addition he is a business Mentor at Imperial College, London, as part of the Imperial Venture Mentoring Service.
Based on more than 30 years as a Senior Executive in the medical technology market, he has a track record of success in driving business development and growth, via sales and marketing, domestic and international distributor management, market access, major accounts, new business integration, and change management. This has been gained in the UK and in export both within an SME and market leading corporate environment. His approach is based on pragmatism, enabled by detailed market understanding, with the highest importance placed on the execution of consequent action plans as the key to success. He has managed product though NICE Technology Appraisal (TA), and other market access processes. Served as Industry Representative on the RCOphth Working Party into the safety of laser eye surgery in the UK, and as Chair of the Ophthalmic Special Interest Group at the ABHI. A degree in Medical Biochemistry from London University has been enhanced by business management education at Ashridge and the completion of leadership studies at Harvard.

John Cooling, Director, Whzan Digital Health
John joined Whzan in December 2014 having established Haverstock Healthcare in 2008, a GP federation of 29 Practices delivering primary and some secondary care services to approximately 500,000 NHS patients in North London. Since joining Whzan John has helped the Company to expand its healthcare services across the NHS and developed social care technology to support vulnerable people accessing social care. Previously, John served as a Director and Chairman of Microlease PLC from 1991 until 2006. Microlease is now part of Electrorent, the largest global provider of test and measurement applications. John also served as Chief Executive of Goodhead Group PLC from 1993 until May 2006. John is also a partner with LGF Partners, a London based debt advisory boutique for early stage and fast growth companies.

Eashan Saikia, Co-founder & Chief Technology Officer (CTO), aseptUVa
Eashan is the co-founder and CTO of Aseptuva – a MedTech startup based in Cambridge, UK, developing an automated disinfection system based on guided Far-UVC light to prevent microbial contamination of catheter-entry sites in patients and prevent hospital acquired infections that affect nearly 800,000 patients annually in the UK. Their solution will not only prevent patient deaths but can save the NHS billions of pounds in additional costs, alleviate burden on health workers, reduce patient discomfort, and stimulate a shift away from traditional antibiotics.
Eashan has a PhD in Biomechanics from ETH Zurich in Switzerland and is currently leading multiple projects funded by UK Innovate EDGE, Horizon Europe, and NIHR, to bring their innovation into different NHS Trust hospitals.

Dr James Brown, Co-Founder and Chief Executive, Supersense Technologies
Dr James Brown is the Co-Founder and CEO of Supersense Technologies, a Cambridge-based technology startup revolutionising dementia care with a privacy-preserving monitoring service that empowers people to stay independent and makes caring easier for families. James is an electronic engineer, entrepreneur, and veteran with over a decade of R&D experience in the Ministry of Defence and industry. He leads Supersense Technologies in its mission to empower people to live independently for longer.

Sufiyan Dayam, Co-Founder, Medhaya
Medhaya is an AI-powered healthcare innovation transforming patient care and practitioner efficiency through intelligent triaging and consultation co-pilot tools. Our mission is to streamline healthcare delivery, making it accessible, personalised, and efficient for everyone.

Ingrid Folland, CEO, Japeto
Ingrid is a dedicated advocate for tech for good, committed to local impact. Starting in R&D, she transitioned into the dynamic world of technology, taking on various roles including product design, development, and project management. Ingrid is now the CEO of Japeto, a company focused on creating safe AI solutions for charities, healthcare, education, and more.

ONLINE Event: Tackling Mental Health - A Deep Dive into Tech Driven Solution
2025-01-16 10:30 - 11:30 | Online via GoToWebinar
As the global demand for mental health support continues to rise, we explore the pivotal role of technology and innovation in revolutionising treatment.
This webinar will delve into the region’s commitment to mental health, examining how cutting-edge solutions are being developed to address this growing challenge.
During the webinar we will discuss:
• Regulatory Landscape: Understanding the regulatory framework for med tech in mental health.
• Innovative Solutions: Exploring the latest advancements from local companies.
• The Future of Mental Healthcare: Visioning a future where technology empowers mental well-being.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with industry leaders and gain insights into the future of mental health.

Speaker Information
Paul Moran – FrameWork Genie
‘Turning Compliance into Competitive Advantage: A Regulatory Overview’
Paul has helped startups and corporations navigate complex change. Working with healthtech startups highlighted the significant challenges they face in securing compliance within a constantly evolving regulatory landscape. Recognising this gap, he co-founded Framework Genie with Joey to simplify the compliance journey for businesses and accelerate their growth.

Joey Islam – FrameWork Genie
‘Turning Compliance into Competitive Advantage: A Regulatory Overview’
We turn compliance into competitive advantage, and hence drive sales into growth. Whether your business is a startup or SME, we have the deep knowledge and experience to understand your business quickly, and we speak the language of regulations so you don’t have to.

Dr Vicky Queralt – Little Journey
Dr Vicky Queralt is a Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience supporting children, young people, and their families in the NHS, specialist schools, and independent practice. As part of the team at Little Journey she contributes to the development of digital and downloadable content that supports children and families to navigate healthcare experiences in a supportive, anxiety-reducing way. She also co-hosts the podcast series Spotlight Session, which delves into the challenges parents face in accessing healthcare for their children. Vicky creatively uses her professional experience and personal insights as a mum of three to create accessible tools that enhance patient experiences.

Thomas Rush – Little Journey
Thomas Rush worked as a primary school teacher, with a focus on early years, for six years before joining Little Journey in 2022 as a user researcher. A passionate advocate for the ensuring the voice of the child is heard, Thomas used his connections to form a network of schools where co-creation sessions were hosted as part of a project with the LEGO Foundation, to guide the development of the Little Journey app. More recently, Thomas moved into product management at the company. In this role he is guiding the creation of multiple pathways, in both the UK and US, to ensure they tackle the greatest pain points for children and their families. His recent focus has been on improving the accessibility and inclusivity of the app for all users, particularly neurodivergent children, with the new version of the app launching in November of this year.

To read more about Medilink Midlands’ role within the WMHTIA project, click here.
For more information on the wider project, click here to visit the WMHTIA website.
This event forms part of the West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA) event series. Medilink Midlands are one of a consortium of delivery partners for the WMHTIA, a project funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Innovate UK and West Midlands Combined Authority (part of City Regions).

IN-PERSON EVENT: BioWales in Bristol
2025-01-23 09:00 - 16:30 | Future Space, North Gate, Filton Road, Stoke Gilford, Bristol, BS34 8RB
Following on from the success of previous BioWales events in Oxford and London, MediWales will be holding a BioWales in Bristol event on the 23rd of January 2025 in collaboration with Medilink South West and Future Space. BioWales in Bristol will focus on exploring the existing and potential new collaborations between Wales and the South West. The day will feature a range of sessions on key topics including:

Funding support across Wales and the South West
Support available for start-ups
Investor relations
Business showcases
Clinical access and research opportunities
Manufacturing capabilities

This event is free for all MediWales, Medilink South West and Future Space members.
If you would like to find out more about the event, click here.
