Insider’s free-to-attend Invest in Health Forum will reveal the secrets of a successful start-up, discuss the funding available and routes for growth as well as hear from med-tech and life sciences ambassadors who are successfully building their businesses in the region. Among the key themes of the event will be:

Spin-outs to scale-ups:

From the right timing to the right finance, we focus on turning great ideas into viable businesses. What are the key challenges for early-stage businesses?  Who are the investors backing this vision? What should be done to keep the talent locally and encourage more job and wealth creation for the North West?

Centres of Excellence:

Where is the region getting noticed and attracting investment? We look at place-based strategies putting the region’s health sector on the map. The event will present the business case for investment into the North as well as showcase its world-class assets and success stories to date.

Peter Broxton, Director at Pellitec:

Peter started his career in the pharma industry before moving into medical devices. He specialises in supporting startup businesses bring products to the international market. The latest product being PelliTec, a blister prevention pad which sticks to the inside of footwear not on the skin. Peter has a portfolio of other interests including being a Board member of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, chair of Viscgo, a nonexecutive director of Brio, a leisure and wellbeing provider in Cheshire West and an expert mentor on the accelator programme at Alderley Park.

Séamus O’Neill, Chief Executive at Northern Health Science Alliance:

With a background in research and a PhD in genetics, experience of clinical research and development and 20-plus years’ experience of building teams, networks and now clusters, Séamus is a senior figure within the life sciences sector in the UK. He has been CEO of the NHSA since 2019 and led on the University and NHS side of discussions with NP11 resulting in to underpin the creation of a Life Sciences Supercluster across the North.

Christopher Bullock, CEO and Co-Founder at QV Bioelectronics:

A biomedical engineer and entrepreneur Chris is CEO and cofounder of QV Bioelectronics, a VC-backed startup working to deliver longer, better quality lives to brain tumour patients. In 2022, the business was awarded a £630,000 grant under the Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst to advance the development of its innovative GRACE implant. The grant followed the completion of a seed round raising £735,000 in July 2021.

Sarah Kemp, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Engagement at Lancaster University:

Prior to joining Lancaster University, Sarah was chief executive of Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership where she secured the Government decision to establish the new National Cyber Security Centre at Samlesbury, as part of a £5bn Government investment.

Phil Carvil, Cluster Development Manager – UK Research & Innovation, Science and Technology Facilities Council:

For the last couple of years for UKRI-STFC, Phil has been leading the development with colleagues and stakeholders in developing high-tech innovation regional clusters in key strategic sectors for the UK. Here he will discuss how to connect key capabilities between stakeholders, national science facilities and innovators in the wider ecosystem to support collaboration, cross-sector innovation and community building in the health-tech sector.

Rory Cameron, CEO and Co-Founder at Gendius:

Gendius, a digital health startup, uses a sophisticated AI platform to power digital health solutions for preventing and managing chronic diseases. As chief exec and cofounder, Rory has a track record in starting up pharmaceutical businesses in many different specialised sectors. Prior to Gendius, his most recent role was as senior vice president and general manager at InterMune UK&I where he set up the UK and Irish businesses over a four-year period until their successful acquisition by Roche.

Mark Wyatt, Investment Director at Northern Gritstone:

Mark Wyatt has more than 20 years of venture capital experience, he has been a director of private and public companies, and a member of the investment committee for several funds. Working at Northern Gritstone, he focuses on early-stage, regional life sciences business.