IN-PERSON EVENT: Celebrating Innovation Support
2024-06-19 13:00 - 15:30 (Europe/London) | ARU, 92 Tindal Building, Alan Cherry Drive, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1SQ, United Kingdom
Join Medilink Midlands, Anglia Ruskin University and Essex County Council for this celebratory event to learn about the fantastic support that has been given to the East of England region and what more there is to come. This is a great opportunity to network and be informed, delegates will include innovators who have participated in the Ambitious Essex Innovation Accelerator.

This event will highlight the successes from:

ABOVE project, which has provided innovation support grants as well as sector-specific events around the themes of health, performance and wellbeing. Medilink Midlands continue to partner with Arise Innovation Hubs to provide expert guidance to SMEs on how to overcome barriers to growth throughout their innovation journey. Essex County Council has provided the funding for this project in support of their ten-year strategy to grow the life science, DigiTech, advanced manufacturing and engineering sectors, leading to more opportunity, jobs and growth across Essex.
Ambitious Essex Innovation Accelerator: Igniting Startup Success, the accelerator is passionate about transforming early-stage ideas into viable business ventures. Tailored specifically for pre-startup companies, our accelerator programme provides the foundational support needed to navigate the initial and often most challenging phase of business development.

The programme for the afternoon, is as follows:
1pm – Lunch and Networking
1.45pm – Welcome and introduction – Melanie Davidson, CEO, Medilink Midlands
2pm – ABOVE Project – Jack Ellum, Arise Innovation Manager, Anglia Ruskin University
2.10pm- Case study – Ingrid Folland, CEO, Japeto
2.20pm – Ambitious Essex Accelerator – Jack Daniels, Sector Development Lead, Essex County Council
2.30pm – Case study – Emma Shelley, founder, Sip N Squeak
2.40pm – Closing comments, next steps for support in the region – Medilink Midlands
2.50pm – Networking
3:30pm – Close

WEBINAR: Guidance on the Latest Updates of R&D Tax Credits
2024-06-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Join Medilink Midlands Patron Member TBAT Innovation for this insightful webinar with expert Ian Davie, Senior Consultant, where he will delve into the dynamic landscape of R&D Tax Credits. In this free 1-hour webinar you will discover the latest updates, key strategies, and expert insights to maximise your returns. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the field, this session promises invaluable guidance to navigate the complexities of R&D tax incentives effectively.
During the webinar, Ian will discuss:
• Latest Legislation Changes to R&D tax credits
• Compliance Checks with HMRC
• What to consider when making a claim
There will be plenty of opportunity during this session to put your questions to Ian, as well as an opportunity to book a free 1-2-1 discussion post-event.
Speaker Biography:

Ian Davie, Senior R&D Tax Consultant, TBAT Innovation Ltd
Ian, a seasoned Senior R&D Tax Consultant, boasts over 7 years of dedicated service at TBAT Innovation. With a wealth of experience rooted in the manufacturing sector, Ian’s professional journey ignited at Rolls-Royce, supported by sponsorship for his Mechanical Engineering degree. Ian’s unwavering commitment revolves around securing R&D tax credits and grants while delivering indispensable advice and top-tier consultancy services to our esteemed TBAT clients.
TBAT Innovation
TBAT is a forward-thinking, value-driven, independent consultancy with over 20 years’ experience working with technology & research and development organisations all over the UK to fund their innovation. Their innovation support services include Grant Funding, R&D Tax Credits, Video Game Tax Relief, Capital Allowances, SEIS/EIS, Patent Box and more. Visit their website to read more here.

Microbiology Discovery Event
2024-06-27 12:00 - 16:00 | Medical Technologies Innovation Facility (MTIF), Clifton Campus, NTU, Clifton Lane, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG11 8NS
The Medical Technologies Innovation Facility (MTIF) is to hold an exciting Microbiology Discovery Event this summer.
This event will provide an introduction to MTIF’s Microbiology capabilities and services. There will be live presentations, facility tours and the opportunity to ask questions of our experts.
If you are interested in attending this event, please complete the short form below and a member of the team will be in contact.
MTIF Microbiology Discovery Event (office.com)
Should you have any questions regarding this event, please contact mtif@ntu.ac.uk.

East Midlands Microbiome Research Network (EMMRN) Research Day 2024
2024-07-03 09:00 - 17:00 | College Court, Knighton Road, Knighton, LE2 3UF, United Kingdom
Learn about microbiome research in the East Midlands
The East Midlands Microbiome Research Network (EMMRN) brings together expertise from across the region to showcase world-leading microbiome-related research and coordinate collaborative opportunities. The network is also working to influence policy at a national level. The EMMRN brings together a diverse group of researchers from Nottingham Trent University, University of Nottingham, University of Leicester, University of Derby, University of Loughborough and University of Lincoln. The Network takes a One Health approach to understanding the complexities of the microbiome and aims to capitalise on academic and industry expertise across human, animal, soil and plant microbiomes to facilitate multidisciplinary approaches to novel innovations. Bimonthly online seminars and research days facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration. If you would like to join the network, please contact eastmidlandsmicrobiomenetwork@ntu.ac.uk.
On 3 July 2024 the EMMRN is holding its first Research Day, at College Court, University of Leicester. Registration is free.

We invite applications from SMEs for innovation vouchers to support collaborative microbiome work with the NBIC Nottingham research team. Please request further information from nbic@nottingham.ac.uk and consider presenting a pitch at the event.
Event Details:
The programme will consist of:

Invited talks covering a variety of hot-topics and challenges in the field;
16 flash talks drawn from submitted abstracts and posters
A panel discussion with a focus on influencing policy to address the levelling-up agenda, to harness the concentrated collection of leaders in the microbiome field, and provide an opportunity for raising awareness of this amongst the ECRs alongside giving them a forum to contribute
Several networking opportunities throughout the day

Full programme details will be announced in the coming weeks, however, we are delighted to confirm the following speakers:

Lindsay Hall (University of Birmingham): Human gut microbiome: infant microbiome and health
Fiona Whelan (University of Nottingham): The human microbiome in the context of microbial pangenomics
Julie McDonald (Imperial College London): The mechanisms used by the human gut microbiota to protect against colonisation by multidrug resistant organisms
Roberto La Ragione (University of Surrey): Veterinary microbiomes and their influence on AMR in the context of Zoonotic and food-borne infections
Matt Hutchings (John Inness Centre): Environmental microbiome
Tania Dottorini (University of Nottingham): The application of Machine learning (Artificial Intelligence) to identify genes co-occurring in the microbiome with antimicrobial resistance using one-health studies

IN-PERSON EVENT: Unlocking Growth: Accounting & Business Strategies for Health & Med Tech
2024-07-16 10:00 - 13:30 | Coventry University Technology Park, Puma Way, Coventry, CV1 2TT
Level up your Health & Med Tech Business at this West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator event!
Join us for an insightful session designed to supercharge your company’s growth. In partnership with Azets, a leading accounting and business advisory firm, we’ll delve into the secrets of maximizing your financial potential.
Here’s what you’ll gain:

Craft a winning business strategy: Leverage their experience to identify new market opportunities, refine your go-to-market approach, and navigate the financial landscape.
Unlock hidden profits: Discover how to claim valuable R&D tax credits and optimize cashflow management strategies.
Master the art of financial planning: Gain insights on investment strategies and develop robust forecasting models for a secure future.

This event is your chance to gain a competitive edge, ensure financial stability, and propel your business to the next level. Don’t miss out – register today!
Agenda Highlights:

10:00am – Registration & Coffee
10:30am – Welcome & Introduction by Danielle Hamill, Azets
10:40am – Guest speaker – Stuart Bentley, R&D Director – R&D, patent box, market strategy and grants
11:10am – Break
11:20am – Guest speaker, Natasha Hill, Corporate Finance Associate Director – Projections, funding and presenting to investors
11:50am – Guest speaker, Claire Purbhoo, Central Head of Outsourcing – Financial reporting, software, forecasting and scenario planning
12:20pm – Networking Lunch
1:30pm – Close

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: Medilink Midlands Summer Networking
2024-07-18 15:00 - 18:00 | The Manor House, Woodhouse Rd, Quorn, LE12 8AL, United Kingdom
Join Medilink Midlands for an afternoon of networking with some of the region’s finest as we host our Summer Networking event.
This year, we are theming the event around a summer festival, so dust off your brightly-coloured clothing and join us for an afternoon of entertainment, great food and garden games!
The event is a great opportunity for you to socialise with your colleagues, and make new connections within the Midlands med-tech and life science sector in a fun and laid-back environment.
We hope to see you there!

Agenda
3pm Guests arrival and welcome drink
3:30pm Welcome on behalf of Medilink Midlands and event sponsor Adamson Jones
3:45pm Garden games, entertainment and networking at leisure
*food to be served at 4:30pm
6pm Guests depart

Tickets
1 x free ticket per member organisation
Non-member tickets: £50
Additional Member tickets: £35 (includes 30% discount)
NB. Please email info@medilinkmidlands.com for booking codes.

With thanks to event sponsor:

Member Benefits showcase - International Focus
2024-07-22 16:00 - 17:30 | Online via GoToWebinar
Exclusive invitation for Medilink Midlands members.
Join us on 22nd July as we showcase our new international service offer.
Jo Bekis, Head of Partnerships at Medilink Midlands will highlight a Multi City Trade Mission opportunity during October 2024 with wrap around services and travel funding for those members who are seeking to expand into the USA and Canadian market.
This is a fantastic opportunity to hear first-hand what the offer includes:

Recap on international supporting services
Overview of the Trade Mission
The opportunities in USA/Canada
Travel funding up to 70%
Q&A

Joining us from Innovate UK, Claire Gregory, will explain the funding opportunity and process including what it can be used for and the application process. Members will also hear from Raj Theper from the UK Export Academy who will share how they can support your journey of exporting and expanding your overseas market. Plus, Andrea Collins, from the Global Export Department, covering funding via Ashfield district council AAG and free ‘Export for Readiness’ reviews.
City of Mentor, Ohio, USA
The City of Mentor, a regional economic hub just east of Cleveland, Ohio, is home to numerous medtech/biotech firms, including the STERIS Corporation. For the last six years, the City of Mentor has enjoyed a relationship with Medilink Midlands to assist those looking further explore operating in the US market. We specialize in a concierge-based approach to business relationship building, introducing companies to a world-class and affordable healthcare ecosystem in Northeast Ohio, partnering with internationally known entities like the Cleveland Clinic, and companies across the region to find matchmaking opportunities for international companies, and providing soft-landing experience and various incentives to companies looking to establish a North American presence. Click here to find out more on City of Mentor.

Brampton, Canada
Brampton is a city that embraces the world. We have a talented, diverse and youthful workforce.
We are a fast-growing and vibrant city located in the Greater Toronto Area in the middle of Canada’s innovation corridor. Brampton is attracting talent and investment from around the world and business is booming.
Toronto Metropolitan University’s new medical school is under construction in Brampton, bringing health care innovation and inspiring a focus on growing our MedTech sector guided by the City’s new MedTech taskforce. Brampton is home to industry giants, including Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Dynacare, Taro Pharmaceuticals and Canon.
40% of Canada’s Life Sciences companies are in the Greater Toronto Area and Brampton is on the cusp of an exiting phase of growth. Click here to find out more on Brampton.
There will be a Q&A session with the full panel to answer any of your questions on this new service, the opportunity, ongoing support, funding, and regulation.
In the first instance, following the webinar, attendees will be invited to complete an online Expression of Interest to join this exciting Trade Mission led by Medilink Midlands.
Please note, we have 8 company places available, which will be offered on a first come first served basis (who meet the criteria) with priority given to Medilink Midlands members. *terms apply for the travel fund and is led by our funded partners.
To find out more about the benefits of joining our Medilink Midlands community, visit >>> https://www.medilinkmidlands.com/membership-benefits/
Who should attend?
Targeted towards established businesses who have been trading for 3 years +, and ready to start exporting or already exporting.

ONLINE Event: Master the Art of Pitching - Your Pitch Deck, Perfected
2024-08-20 10:30 - 11:30 | Online via GoToWebinar
Are you tired of creating pitch decks that fall flat? Join our upcoming webinar to discover the secrets to crafting a pitch deck that captivates your audience and secures funding.
Learn from industry experts as they share proven tips and tricks to:

Identify the key elements of a winning pitch deck
Avoid common pitfalls that can derail your presentation
Create a compelling narrative that resonates with investors
Design visually stunning slides that leave a lasting impression

Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your pitching game!
Speaker Biography
Gary Hyem
Gary is a Corporate Finance Partner at Azets, a leading UK accounting firm which is focussed on advising privately owned, entrepreneurial businesses.
Originally qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Arthur Andersen, Gary has for the last 30 years been advising owners, management teams and entrepreneurs on executing their strategic plans including acquisitions, exits, mergers, management buyouts and raising related finance for development capital, acquisition funding or working capital.
Gary has worked with businesses with deal sizes ranging from a pound to over £150m across a broad range of sectors including industrial manufacturing / engineering, logistics, healthcare, business services, and technology.
Gary has worked in the Corporate Finance transactional teams at PwC, EY, Clearwater International and FRP, amongst others. He has also spent five years as a partner in a private equity fund originating, structuring and managing equity investments in growing businesses.
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and also holds the ICAEW’s CF certification.
Outside of work, Gary enjoys rugby, football, DIY and being a Dad and taxi service to his children.

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: MedTech Strategic Innovation Gateway - The Future of Healthcare with AI
2024-09-12 09:30 - 13:00 | STEAMHouse Birmingham, Belmont Row, Birmingham, B4 7RQ, United Kingdom
With thanks to our event hosts:
The Medilink Midlands Strategic Innovation Gateways create an environment for innovation, knowledge exchange, business opportunities and networking.
Delivered in partnership with a select consortium of experts from academia, clinicians and industry, the Medilink Midlands Strategic Innovation Gateways (SIG) will help to create intelligence and data which will be used to inform policy making and influence national and regional strategies for the sector.
Medilink Midlands invites you to join the second in the series of SIG events, to expand your knowledge of the medtech space, specifically, the future of healthcare with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
As a region, the Midlands houses one of the greatest health and life sciences clusters and the largest number of medtech companies in the UK, with over 1,200 life sciences businesses supporting over 33,000 high skilled jobs, and an economy worth more than £200bn a year.
Home to rapidly growing cluster of digital health companies and more digital startups than any other UK area outside of London – the Midlands is the powerhouse for the medtech and life sciences industry.
This event offers a gateway to representatives who can offer support and guidance with medtech developments and innovations, connect you with academic, business and clinical communities to help forge collaborative partnerships.
Programme:
9:30am – Registrations and Refreshments
10:00am – Welcome and Introductions, Professor Philip Breedon, Professor of Smart Technologies, Nottingham Trent University and Chair of the MedTech Strategic Innovation Gateway
10:05am – Transforming Healthcare Through AI-Powered Innovation, Dr Junaid Arshad, Professor in Cyber Security, Birmingham City University
10:15am – AI and Intellectual Property in Healthcare, Simon Cooper, Managing Director, Adamson Jones
– Why does it matter?
– Opportunities and threats
– Recent legal developments, case studies and examples
– Recommendations
10:40am – Reimagining operating rooms with AI vision, Maks Kozarzewski, COO, VitVio
11:05am – Refreshments, Break and Networking
11:30am – AI Regulations and Medical Devices: Artificial Hope or Intelligent Solution, Richard Bassett, Principal Regulatory Consultant, DLRC
– Exploring various types of AI and their applications in healthcare
– Essential regulatory considerations for integrating AI into medical devices
– The impact of AI Act and Medical Device Legislation on AI-driven healthcare innovations
11:55 – Integrating AI and Human-Centred Design in Healthcare: A Path to Better Outcomes, James Lomas, Co-Founder/CTO, Blüm Health Ltd
12:20pm – Closing Remarks Professor Philip Breedon, Professor of Smart Technologies, Nottingham Trent University and Chair of the MedTech Strategic Innovation Gateway
12:30pm – Lunch and Networking
Cost and tickets:
Registrations are now closed. If you would like to book a ticket, please email events@medilinkmidlands.com.
£20 plus VAT for members of Medilink
£40 plus VAT for non-members
£10 plus VAT for students
To receive the member or student discount code email events@medilinkmidlands.com.
Please enter the code when you purchase your tickets and the amount will be amended automatically.
Speaker Profiles:

MedTech SIG Chair: Professor Philip Breedon, Professor of Smart Technologies, Nottingham Trent University
Philip holds multiple positions and interests surrounding medical technologies, with his research interests and latest projects centred on new and emerging technologies and materials, including surgical robotics, extended reality technologies and environments, the surgical pathway and investigative research related to the utilisation of ‘smart materials’ for medical applications.

Dr Junaid Arshad, Professor in Cyber Security, Birmingham City University
Junaid is a Professor in Cyber Security at Birmingham City University. He has 15 years of research experience and expertise in investigating and addressing cybersecurity challenges for diverse computing paradigms such as High Performance Computing, Cloud computing, IoT, and blockchain. He is actively engaged in investigating the opportunities and threats of Machine Learning and AI, exploring the use of AI-based systems to address specific challenges as well as security and trustworthiness of ML and AI systems.
Junaid is continuously engaged with businesses to support their needs especially with respect to digital transformation and trustworthy use of technological advancements to solve everyday problems. He has led number of projects in collaboration with industrial partners funded by Innovate UK and other third party funding agencies. He is currently leading BCU team for West Midlands Healthtech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA) project where the team is supporting 15+ Healthtech organisations within West Midlands region with their specific product development and technology enhancement needs, many of which are focused on leveraging AI and ML to advance their products.
Junaid is an alumnus of the Innovate UK & DCMS funded CyberASAP programme, commercially prototyping the CyMonD system for effective monitoring & defence of IoT-based systems against cyber-threats. Junaid has successfully achieved research funding from UK and overseas funding agencies, and has worked as a security specialist for a number of EU funded projects with experience of developing bespoke security solutions. Junaid has successfully published high quality research within cybersecurity and has more than 70 publications at high quality venues including journals, book chapters, conferences and workshops. He regularly serves on editorial boards and programme committees of different journals and conferences.

Simon Cooper, Managing Director, Adamson Jones
Simon is managing director of Adamson Jones, a dedicated firm of patent and trade mark attorneys within the professional services group Gateley.
Simon’s patent practice covers a wide range of different technologies, but with a particular focus on medical devices, including mechanical, electrical, and software-based technology for medical applications. Simon has particular experience working for successful, innovative manufacturers and spin-out companies, assisting his clients in navigating competitor IP rights, and creating patent, registered design and registered trade mark portfolios around valuable technology and product ranges.

Maks Kozarzewski, COO, VitVio
Maks is the COO at VitVio, a startup using computer vision and AI to make operating rooms more efficient. Before joining VitVio, Maks led UK’s top-ranked team competing in the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition, gaining him Forbes “25 under 25” title for his contributions to the space. He also developed medical diagnostic devices at a leading technology consultancy and has experience in public policy. He holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Edinburgh.

Richard Bassett, Principal Regulatory Consultant, DLRC
Richard is a medical device quality and regulatory professional, with a comprehensive background encompassing the utilisation, research, and manufacturing of medical devices and in vitro diagnostics (IVDs). Currently serving as a Principal Regulatory Consultant at DLRC, a renowned regulatory affairs consultancy with a team of over 80 highly qualified regulatory professionals, Richard operates from the UK office, contributing to DLRC’s success in strategically located offices across the UK, Germany, and the US.
Richard brings over 14 years of extensive experience within the medical device industry. He has held roles including quality management, regulatory compliance, and clinical strategy development. His expertise extends to effective supplier engagement and guiding product development. Richard’s professional journey has traversed roles with a legal manufacturer, consultancy positions, and contributions to a Notified Body. Richard holds a master’s degree in molecular biology, complemented by a second master’s degree in medical law, which specifically focused on UK and EU Medical Device Regulations. His dedication to sharing and imparting his knowledge is evident through his five-year tenure as a lecturer on medical device regulatory affairs at Cambridge University, where he has made valuable contributions to the BioEnterprise MSc course. As a Principal Regulatory Consultant at DLRC, Richard continues to bring his wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to navigate the complex landscape of medical device regulations, contributing to DLRC’s reputation as an award-winning consultancy.

James Lomas, Co-Founder/CTO, Blüm Health Ltd
James has demonstrated a diverse and impactful career spanning several key positions. With over a decade of experience, he has been pivotal in various leadership roles. At Blüm Heath, he currently holds the position of Co-Founder and Chief Technical & Product Officer since October 2019. In this capacity, he has built and advised the product and technical strategy, whilst growing and managing the respective teams.
James has previously worked in leadership roles within large tech companies, most recently at Blue Prism. Complex systems were a part of the Blue Prism software ecosystem, pioneering the category of Robotic Process Automation, a field recognised globally for its innovation, with Blue Prism being voted into the MIT top 50 smartest companies from 2016-2021. James has successfully coordinated and delivered product leadership, solution design and execution of the cloud portfolio of products during this period up until their acquisition by SS&C. He also championed and established the Design System with internal and external interactions within teams and customers for future products.
His expertise spans diverse sectors, including Finance, Venture Capital, Banking, FinTech, and Health Tech. His extensive experience in project leadership, coupled with his technical proficiency, has enabled him to drive innovation and growth within these organisations. In the Finance and Venture Capital sectors, he has collaborated with stakeholders to identify procedural frictions, commercial opportunities, and develop strategies aligning with market trends, innovation landscape, and financial goals. His contributions in Banking and FinTech involve developing technology-driven solutions to enhance financial services and customer experiences, while ensuring regulatory compliance. In Health Tech, as indicated by his work with clients like the NHS, he focuses on integrating technology to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes. His experience working with both public and private companies has given him a deep understanding of various organisational structures and market dynamics.
This event is in collaboration with:

IN-PERSON EVENT: Growing the East of England Health and MedTech Cluster
2024-09-18 10:15 - 14:30 | Mills & Reeve LLP, Botanic House, 100 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 1PH, United Kingdom
Attention Health and MedTech companies: If you’re looking to accelerate your growth, don’t miss this event hosted by Medilink Midlands and Health Tech Enterprise.
With over 20 years of experience supporting MedTech and Life Sciences companies, we invite you to hear directly from industry leaders, regional support organisations, and businesses that have already benefited from our assistance.
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.
“SEHTA is delighted to partner with Medilink Midlands to talk to the audience about how SEHTA can support SMEs in the East of England from the MedTech and Life Sciences sector” – Neil Roberts, Managing Director, SEHTA
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn and have your voice heard!
Programme:
10:15am – Registrations, Refreshments & Networking
11:00am – Host Welcome & Introduction, James Fry, Partner, Head of Life Sciences, Mills & Reeve
11:05am – Strategic Overview & Welcome, Melanie Davidson, Chief Executive Officer, Medilink Midlands & Dr Anne Blackwood, CEO, Health Tech Enterprise
11:10am – The role of Health Innovation East in supporting companies to help generate improved heath and wealth in the East of England, Philip Shelton, Head of Industry Partnerships and Net Zero Lead, Health Innovation East
11:30am – Turning ideas into successful medical devices, Danny Godfrey, Co-Founder & Director, eg technology
11:50pm – Leveraging Support for Success: My Journey of Innovation in the NHS, Dr Shaobin Wu, Co-Founder, C-Prio Ltd
12:05pm – Refreshments & Networking
12:20pm – Health Tech Enterprise Support, Max Bardwell, Head of Business Development, Health Tech Enterprise
12:25pm – Medilink Midlands Support, Raghul Senthilnathan, Innovation Adviser, Medilink Midlands
12:30pm – SEHTA Support for SMEs, Neil Roberts, Managing Director, SEHTA
12:35pm – Anglia Ruskin University Support, Dr Beverley Vaughan, Arise Innovation Hubs Director, Anglia Ruskin University
12:40pm – Group Breakouts: What support you would like to see in the East of England and what a MedTech Cluster would look like
13:15pm – Closing Remarks and Next Steps, Melanie Davidson, Chief Executive Officer, Medilink Midlands
13:25pm – Lunch & Networking
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR 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 East of England organisations.
*Spaces are now full, to be added to the waiting list email: events@medilinkmidlands.com
Hosted by:

Speaker Profiles:

James Fry, Partner, Head of Life Sciences, Mills & Reeve
James is a leading life sciences lawyer and heads the firm’s multi-disciplinary life sciences practice. He specialises in advising businesses and organisations in the sector on intellectual property matters and complex commercial contracting. In particular, James has longstanding and deep knowledge of research and technology collaborations, intellectual property licensing and the distribution and promotion of medical and medicinal products. He also regularly advises on regulatory issues relevant to the sector, such as product classification, clinical trials and advertising. His clients include GSK, Illumina, F-star, The Binding Site, NRG Therapeutics, Mission Therapeutics and Neurocrine Biosciences. James has been ranked in the Intellectual Property sections of Chambers and Partners for many years. The Directories describe James as “an excellent lawyer” (Legal 500) and “an outstanding IP practitioner and life sciences specialist” (Chambers).

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.

Philip Shelton PhD, Head of Industry Partnerships and Net Zero Lead, Health Innovation East
Philip joined Health Innovation East in 2020 from Philips and has over 20 years’ experience in life sciences, NHS research and implementation and digital health. He specialises in AI and imaging and innovation focusing on helping the NHS reach their Net Zero targets.
As Head of Industry Partnerships and Net Zero Lead within our commercial team he is responsible for consulting and building a range of strategic partnerships with national and internation companies. These include Bayer, Fujitsu, Abbott and AstraZeneca. He is further supporting the two Imaging Networks in the East of England. Philip also takes a lead role in the national Net Zero and sustainability portfolio and recently was commissioned to conduct two evaluation studies on Apollo Phase Change Solutions panels and the Net Zero benefits of the Abbott Indexor pre-analytics system.

Danny Godfrey, Co-Founder & Director, eg technology
Danny co-founded eg technology ltd in 2002, with fellow director Andrew Ede. Based in Cambridge (UK), eg technology is a product design, engineering and development consultancy, specialising in the MedTech sector, which has now grown to employ over 40 engineering and commercial staff. With a BA and MEng in Engineering from Cambridge University and more than 20 years’ experience in product design and engineering, Danny’s role is to provide corporate leadership, develop new business opportunities and oversee the technical and strategic direction of projects. He has in depth knowledge of the entire project life cycle, from the initial proposal writing, technical & creative input, design implementation, review processes and the early identification of development risks. Motivating staff and nurturing client relationships are important aspects of Danny’s day-to-day work – valuing and developing our team of bright, can-do people and ensuring clients are satisfied with what eg does have been the foundations of success for the company.

Dr Shaobin Wu, Co-Founder, C-Prio Ltd
Dr. Shaobin Wu is a Consultant Histopathologist and the newly appointed Trust Clinical Lead for Genomics at East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust. With a deep passion for healthcare innovation, Dr. Wu has played a key role in advancing digital transformation within the NHS. As a Topol Digital Fellow and NHS Clinical Entrepreneur, she has developed valuable skills in agile project management, person-centred design, and the integration of digital technologies in healthcare.
In addition to her clinical roles, Dr. Wu is the Co-founder of C-Prio Ltd, where she takes the leadership role to leverage AI and automation to address critical challenges in NHS histopathology service, particularly in cancer diagnostics. Her entrepreneurial journey is distinguished by the strategic support and funding she has received from the Arise ABOVE program, which have been instrumental in progressing her visionary ideas towards impactful solutions. Through her leadership and commitment, Dr. Wu continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in healthcare, making meaningful contributions to both clinical practice and the broader entrepreneurial landscape.

Max Bardwell, Head of Business Development, Health Tech Enterprise
An experienced professional in technology development and innovation, Max Bardwell joined HTE in 2022 as Head of Business Development. His role is varied and includes developing new commercial partnerships, opening up new market opportunities and driving sales growth. Max has 20 years of experience in the development of scientific instrumentation and medical technologies and has worked for number of higher education institutions and spin out companies in research, technology transfer and commercialisation of technology innovations. He has experience in the protection and exploitation of intellectual property, project management and effective collaborative strategic partnership between industry and academia. Max has a BSc in Chemistry from Nottingham Trent University, an MBA from the Open University and a PhD in Atmospheric Chemistry from Nottingham Trent University.

Raghul Senthilnathan, Innovation Adviser, Medilink Midlands
Raghul is a dynamic Innovation Adviser with a master’s degree in Biotech and Pharma Management from UCL, he has a very strong background in life sciences and healthcare innovation. He has successfully founded two innovative start ups and has personal expertise in digital technologies. Raghul is skilled in leading accelerator programmes and supporting early stage companies to navigate challenges and realise their potential in contributing to the economy. He also has expertise in coaching, mentoring and business diagnostics to help innovators avoid pitfalls and succeed.

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.

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.

IN-PERSON EVENT: Medilink Midlands Members Forum
2024-09-19 09:00 - 12:00 | Adamson Jones part of Gately, Park View House, 58 The Ropewalk, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG1 5DW, United Kingdom
Quarterly Member Forums are an ideal opportunity for members to connect, generate ideas and hear first-hand updates around Medilink Midlands activity. A chance to have your voice heard and input into how your membership can better support our network within the Med-Tech and Life Science Sector.
The next member forum will include an update and round-up of Medilink Midlands activity from Chris Dyke, Head of Connectivity and Joanne Maltby, Head of Projects.
We’re keen to hear from our members in terms of the Medilink Midlands Events Programme. We want to ensure we’re continuously developing and offering events which are informative and fun! And so there’s an opportunity to give your input via roundtable discussion which will be held by our newly appointed Events Manager, Linsey Horsepool.
Member and host, Adamson Jones are patent and trade mark attorneys, specialising in obtaining intellectual property rights for businesses and organisations in the UK, Europe and throughout the world, and will share their insights into how they can support members. So, if you have any IP questions, this is your chance to ask the experts!
Importantly, Adamson Jones will be hosting a mini session which will cover information around the new IP Advance Funding. Find out more about the fund here.
If the invite to this Medilink Midlands member only event hasn’t reached your inbox, please email events@medilinkmidlands.com to receive the details and booking link. Online registration is essential.

IN-PERSON: Medilink Midlands Innovation Day 2024
2024-10-03 09:00 - 17:00 | Coventry Building Society Arena, Judds Lane, Coventry, CV6 6GE, United Kingdom
Our flagship event for the who’s who in the Midlands Life Sciences Sector is coming soon, on Thursday 3 October we shall be collaborating and networking at a new venue – Coventry Building Society Arena.
A new venue means, more exhibitors, more networking and more opportunities.
Medilink Midlands Innovation Day will welcome the Midlands life sciences community to Coventry to share the latest inspiring developments from across the sector. The day sits proudly within our annual programme as the flagship event of the year for those in the Life Sciences sector.
The full day event includes:

A conference of high profile sector specific inspiring speakers

An exhibition

Networking opportunities
More to be revealed over the coming months

Centrally located the event pulls together academics, clinicians and businesses from across the Midlands to come together at this renowned event to share ideas/network and forge partnerships.
Bookings are now closed. To enquire about availability, please email events@medilinkmidlands.com.
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: 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: 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.

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.

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 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: 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).

WEBINAR: Medilink Midlands Innovation Builder - calling all applicants
2025-01-30 10:00 - 11:30 | Nottinghamshire
Following our recent announcement of the new innovation support programme, the Medilink Midlands Innovation Builder, we are pleased to offer a discovery session to understand how the pilot phase of the programme will be delivered, and how it plans to help innovators:

Discover a scalable business model
Build a commercial proposition
Get ready for investment

Conveniently presented online, attendees will hear from Medilink Midlands Entrepreneur in Residence and lead facilitator of the Innovation Builder programme – Christian Kumar.
Christian will explain the purpose behind the three specific cohort groups, designed to best serve the exact needs of innovators from across academia and industry.
With limited places on each cohort group, we encourage anyone interested in becoming a cohort member of the programme to attend this discovery session, as Christian will also cover the guidelines and tips to a successful application*.
The three cohort groups, are:

Alpha Group – dedicated to researchers and academics that have a concept worthy of discussion to formulate the concept into a commercial pathway. Module “research to revenue” will be delivered through the Medilink Midlands Entrepreneur in Residence program, mainly online. Initial cohort intake max 40 companies.
Beta Group – looking for companies that are post concept and pre revenue. Applicants may have a company or received funding [either private or public]. These applicants will have a formed business and are looking for a corporate strategy to marry their clinical development plan. Initial cohort intake 20 companies.
Sigma Group – trading companies at any stage looking to scale internationally by funding or strategy. We will sit alongside the board guiding the growth of the underlying business. If these companies are not revenue generating, they will be seeking a series A £5m plus funding round. Initial cohort intake 10 companies.

With limited places available, we encourage anyone interested in joining the programme to attend this discovery session, to find out the application guidelines and tips to a successful application*. The webinar will allow for delegates to ask questions to both Melanie Davidson, Chief Executive Officer and Christian Kumar, Entrepreneur in Residence, Medilink Midlands.
Who should attend?
This webinar is targeted towards innovators looking to find out more on how the Innovation Builder can support their innovation and pathway to commercialisation and investment readiness.
This is not aimed towards service providers, or those who have registered to be a delivery partner within the programme.
*applications will go live following the webinar session, and all information will be found here.

Speaker Profiles:

Chaired by: 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).

Christian Kumar, Entrepreneur in Residence, Medilink Midlands and lead facilitator for Medilink Midlands Innovation Builder
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.

IN-PERSON EVENT: Medilink Midlands Members Forum
2025-02-04 09:00 - 12:00 | Kimal, Unit 10A Clayfield Road, Worcester Six Business Park, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR4 0AE, United Kingdom
The Medilink Midlands quarterly Member Forums are designed to allow members alongside the Medilink Midlands team the chance to connect and work together to generate ideas in supporting the member community and Med-Tech and Life Science sector.
A chance for members to ‘have a voice’, plus hear first-hand updates around Medilink Midlands activity.
The February Member Forum will include a recap of 2024 activities while looking ahead to 2025. With a new government in place, Medilink Midlands will lead the important discussion around ‘impact’ of these factors, delving into the direction of the Med-tech and Life Sciences sector and importantly how Medilink Midlands can continue to support its members. Speakers will be announced in due course.
Hosted by Patron Member, Kimal, an award-winning manufacturer and supplier of specialised procedure packs and vascular access devices to hospitals across the world. Member attendees will have an exclusive opportunity to participate in a tour of the Worcestershire facility.
Places are limited, and will be based on a first come first serve basis.
If the invite to this Medilink Midlands member only event hasn’t reached your inbox, please email events@medilinkmidlands.com to receive the details and booking link. Online registration is essential.

IN-PERSON EVENT: Leicestershire Innovation Clinics
2025-03-11 | Charnwood Campus Loughborough, LE11 5RB, Charnwood Campus Loughborough, Loughborough, LE11 5RB, United Kingdom
A partnership between Medilink Midlands, The Institute for Precision Health – University of Leicester and Charnwood Campus Science Innovation and Technology Park offers expertise support to individuals or companies already in, or transitioning into, the life sciences, medtech, health tech sector within the locality of Leicester and Leicestershire. First launched in October 2022, the Innovation Clinic programme successfully provided innovators access to expertise across the University, NHS and business innovation support network, to supply a clear pathway on how to grow and develop their innovations.
We are delighted be holding another Innovation Clinic on Tuesday 11th March. Hosting these sector-specific workshops collaboratively, enables innovators to benefit from one-to-one discussions regarding the development of new products, from advice on funding and product development all the way through to engaging with the NHS, without having to engage with each organisation separately.

Expertise will include: Academic, clinical, IP, regulatory, clinical adoption, innovation test beds, signposting and sectoral networking opportunities.

Who should apply?

Are you a student, health professional or company, developing new products or services?
Do you need insight on how to develop your research idea into a tangible product?
Looking to understand how to approach the NHS?
Want to know what funding is available?
Need guidance on PPI, value proposition, and/or cost/benefit analysis?
Looking to increase your competitive advantage?

Interested in taking part?
If you would like to discuss your innovation project, new product development or understand the landscape, please complete this short online application form here. Please note individuals/companies can only attend one innovation clinic session throughout the series.

Funded through the University of Leicester’s Medical Research Council Impact Accelerator Account.

IN PERSON Event: WMHTIA & Business Awards Celebration Event
2025-03-13 15:00 - 18:00 | Charlecote Pheasant Hotel, Charlecote Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, CV35 9EW, United Kingdom
Join us for a double celebration as we honour the achievements of the West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA) and announce the finalists of the Medilink Midlands Business Awards 2025.
Hear first-hand how WMHTIA, a government-funded initiative, is fostering a thriving ecosystem for health and medtech innovation. Network with industry leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs, and be inspired by the success stories of companies transforming healthcare.
Show your support and congratulate the finalists of the Medilink Midlands Business Awards, as we will also be announcing the 2025 shortlist during the afternoon agenda.
Kindly hosted by our event partner Clarion Charlecote Pheasant Hotel in the beautiful surroundings of the Warwickshire countryside, this is a ‘must-attend’ event for businesses in the medtech and life sciences sector.

BOOKING INFORMATION
* The event is invitation-only.
*Bookings are strictly 1 representative per organisation on a first come first served basis to allow for as many organisations to join as possible.
*An invitation and link will be shared so that you can book your place to attend, if you think you might have missed the email, please contact events@medilinkmidlands.com and our team will be able to help.

Agenda
3pm Delegates Arrive
*Welcome drink served & canapes
*Networking
3:45pm Welcome from Medilink Midlands – Melanie Davidson
4pm WMHTIA overview – Dr Benjamin Roberts
4:15pm Guest speaker – Louise Ben-Nathan – LBN Innovations
4:45pm Business Awards finalist announcements
5:15pm Closing remarks
5:20pm Networking
6pm Depart

Speaker Information
Louise Ben-Nathan – LBN Innovations
Louise Ben-Nathan is the founder of LBN Innovations, a company dedicated to transforming cervical screening by replacing the speculum with a more ergonomic, patient-friendly digital medical device. Shocked that only 1 in 3 women and people with a cervix attend screenings—largely due to pain, discomfort, and embarrassment—Louise recognised an urgent unmet patient need. After 147 years with little innovation in the design of the speculum, she set out to create a device that works with the female body rather than against it, aiming to improve patient experiences and drive higher screening participation. Originally building a career in film and television, Louise was forced to step away from the industry after a major health event at 40, leading her down an unexpected path. Determined to turn her own challenges into positive change, she entered the world of FemTech to tackle inequalities in women’s healthcare. Since then, she has secured five grants, including the prestigious Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award, and is making significant strides in medical innovation. Passionate about improving access to healthcare, Louise is committed to ensuring that essential screenings are more comfortable, dignified, and accessible for all.

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: Accelerate Innovation in Life Sciences – Support & Collaboration Opportunities
2025-04-03 09:00 - 13:00 | Charnwood Campus Loughborough, LE11 5RB, Charnwood Campus Loughborough, Loughborough, LE11 5RB, United Kingdom
Join us on April 3, 2025, for the seventh Leicester Innovation Festival event, in partnership with Charnwood Campus, Medilink Midlands and The Institute for Precision Health, University of Leicester designed to help life sciences businesses thrive.
Why Attend?

Discover how businesses like yours have successfully advanced new products with support from Leicestershire Innovation Clinics.
Gain insights into available funding, regulatory, commercialisation expertise, and collaboration opportunities with the NHS and academic institutions in Leicestershire.
Participate in expert drop-in sessions to help bring new product to market.
Expand your network with fellow innovators, clinicians, academics, and industry leaders.

Who Should Attend?
If you’re part of a life sciences SME, startup, or established business, or you’re a clinician or academic looking to collaborate, this event is for you!
What to Expect:

Showcase of successful businesses that have leveraged innovation support.
Insights into the resources available to help accelerate product development.
Opportunities to collaborate with the NHS and leading academic institutions.
Networking, refreshments, and free parking to make your experience seamless.

Secure your place today and take your innovation journey to the next level! Click here to book your place.

IN-PERSON Event: City of Mentor UK Visit
2025-04-08 12:30 - 17:00 | Best Western Premier Yew Lodge Hotel, 33 Packington Hill, Kegworth, Derby, DE74 2DF, United Kingdom
The City of Mentor, strategically located just outside Cleveland, Ohio, serves as a vital economic hub for manufacturing, professional services, and retail. Ranked as Ohio’s 5th largest manufacturing center and 6th largest retail center, Mentor offers a prime entry point for companies looking to expand into the U.S. market.
With a strong network spanning critical sectors like healthcare, aerospace, and precision manufacturing, Mentor’s tailored, concierge-style services provide invaluable support for small to medium-sized businesses exploring connections and investment opportunities in North America.
The City of Mentor will be visiting the UK on Tuesday 8th April to host one-to-one meetings with companies who wish to collaborate and learn more about how international trade can benefit and broaden their business, both at home and overseas.
Key representatives include:

Kevin Malecek, Director for Economic Development and International Trade
Ken Filipiak, CEO/City Manager
Ray Kirchner, City Councilman

Get Involved
If you are interested in this opportunity, please complete the expressions of interest form.

Please submit your expression of interest by 7 April 2025 by 5pm GMT. If you have any queries please contact: international@medilinkmidlands.com

Please note, we have limited appointments available, which will be offered on a first come first served basis. Priority will be given to Medilink Midlands members.

ONLINE EVENT: MEMBER FORUM 'SPILL THE TEA'
2025-04-30 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
The Medilink Midlands quarterly Member Forums are a dedicated space for our Medtech and Life Sciences members to connect, collaborate, and gain valuable insights.
‘Spill the tea’ is an informal online drop-in session for our members which will focus on maximising the benefits of your membership.
There will be a show around the newly launched member-only zone on our website, and more importantly, we want to understand our members business goals, to tailor our expertise and support to directly address your needs and help you achieve success.
Join us online to:

Share your business goals: Tell us about your success stories, current challenges, aspirations, and strategic objectives. This is your opportunity to shape the future of our member services.
Explore the member-only zone: Discover the full potential of our exclusive online resources, including a show and tell session to navigate your way around our new member only area on the website.
Share the spotlight: A chance for our members to share success stories and case studies – promoting the important work, collaborations and innovations happening within the sector.
Network with industry peers: Connect with fellow professionals in Medtech and Life Sciences, exchange ideas, and build valuable relationships.
Provide feedback: Your input is crucial! Help us improve our offerings and ensure we’re delivering the most relevant and impactful support.

We’d welcome your input to the discussions, and here’s some questions to get us started.
What are:

Your key priorities over the next 12 months?
The biggest obstacles you’re currently facing?
Most needed business innovation support to help your company?
Your goals regarding market expansion, product development, regulatory issues, or funding?

Booking instructions: An invitation will be sent via email to the lead contact on all member accounts. If the invite to this Medilink Midlands member only event hasn’t reached your inbox, please email events@medilinkmidlands.com to receive the details and booking link. Online registration is essential.

Medilink Midlands Business Awards 2025
2025-05-15 | Grand Station, Sun Street, Wolverhampton, WV10 0BF, United Kingdom
Join us for the Medilink Midlands Business Awards, taking place on 15 May 2025 at Grand Station, Wolverhampton.
Celebrating the achievements of medtech and life sciences businesses, our awards showcase the strength of the industry, collaboration and innovation across the Midlands and neighbouring regions. Hosted by Dr Will Duffin, an NHS GP, Extreme Medic and on-screen Doctor for the hit US Reality TV Show ’Survivor’, the 2025 awards are not to be missed.
For further information and sponsorship opportunities, please click here.
CLICK TO BOOK YOUR PLACES TO ATTEND
Discounted rates are available as follows:

Member (Individual ticket) – £150 +VAT
Member (Table of 10) – £1,400 +VAT
Student/ Charity (Individual) – £120 +VAT

Please email events@medilinkmidlands.com to obtain the discount codes.
