Conference

Life Sciences Conference

This year, we are excited to introduce a new conference segment as part of the Life Sciences Awards. This conference will focus on two key themes: Venture Capital and Investor Funding, and Regulatory Challenges faced by the Life Sciences industry.

The conference will begin midday with a networking lunch, offering an opportunity for attendees to connect. Following this, we will dive into a series of insightful presentations and panel discussions, where industry leaders and experts will explore these critical topics in depth.

PURCHASE TICKETS

Starts at

12:00

Cambridge Suite
@Doubletree Hilton

Glasgow Central

Thursday
13 March

2025

TBA

Title sponsor

content

Programme

Speakers and Panel Members to be announced shortly

1200

Networking Lunch

Mark Cook

Co-Chair Industry Leadership Group, Life Sciences Scotland

Mark has spent 30 years in roles within the health sector including biologicals/pharmaceuticals, medical technology and consultancy.

In February 2022 Mark became Co Chair of the Life Sciences Industrial Leadership Group in Scotland, he also continues to support decision making for non-medicine technologies through membership of the Scottish Health Technology Group plus, in conjunction with the Chief Scientist Office, raises the profile for the Life Sciences Sector in Scotland. Mark chairs a company working towards accelerating the cure for Alzheimer’s as well as looking after one of Scotland’s public pension schemes as its Independent Chair.

Life Science is a sector that is actively growing, will provide careers for our population at higher than average salaries, will increase the tax base of Scotland and do societal good by bringing forward innovative and transformational changes that will improve the health of our population.

Current focus for the Life Sciences ILG is the refresh of the sector strategy ( which runs until 2025 ) and Mark is leading on this having exceed our goal of £8 Billion generated by the Scottish Life Sciences sector by 2025 by over £2 billion 4 years early.

1300

Introduction

Mark Cook, Co-Chair Industry Leadership Group, Life Sciences Scotland

Dr. Ian Campbell

Vice President Of National Transformation Institute

Dr. Ian Campbell is VP of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) National Transformation Institute (NTI) and former Executive Chair of Innovate UK.

Before joining KAUST, Dr. Campbell was the Executive Chair of Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, in 2020. He also directed Health and Life Sciences. Led the initiative to secure Covid-19 response package from the British government in 2020, to support thousands of UK businesses to survive and thrive through the pandemic.

Dr. Campbell has extensive entrepreneurial and business experience in the healthcare sector. Before Innovate UK, he was CEO of Arquer Diagnostics, which focuses on bladder and prostate cancer diagnosis. Before this, he spent 15 years in a variety of executive management roles within the health and life science sector.

In his current role, Dr. Campbell collaborates with the University researchers and leadership to help accelerate the technology and innovation economy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He also supports the University’s forward vision to leverage KAUST science and innovation to make an impact beyond the walls of the campus itself, creating collaborations and identifying opportunities where KAUST can contribute.In order to support Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification, the NTI seeks to bring together people and resources for impactful projects, delivering solutions that benefit the Kingdom and beyond. A key measure of success is effecting transformative change through enhancing research commercialisation and technology development and deployment.

He was recognised in Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s New Year Honours List and was appointed officer of the order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to innovation.

1315

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Ian Campbell, Vice President Of National Transformation Institute & former Executive Chair, Innovate UK

TBA

Title

content

Unlocking Investment Opportunities: Navigating the Life Sciences Funding Landscape

The Campbell Report highlighted the difficulties that Scotland’s life science companies have scaling and growing within the capital infrastructure of Scotland and proposed some potential approaches, with that in mind this session will explore the diverse pathways for raising capital in the life sciences sector, featuring insights from panellists across various stages of investment—from early-stage venture capital, investment banking, to industry investors. Beyond understanding “how to raise capital,” panellists will discuss what investors look for in potential companies, how to align your pitch with the right investors, and ensuring investor readiness.

Attendees will gain practical guidance on securing the right funding at different stages and how to attract the right partners for sustainable growth in a competitive, global funding environment.

Panel members to be announced shortly

1345

Panel Session:

Scotland’s Life Sciences Venture Capital & Investment Funding

1445

Networking Break

Elaine Gemmell

Head of Regulatory Affairs, InnoScot Health

Elaine holds a BSc in Electronic Engineering and BEng (Hons) in Engineering and is Honorary Professor in the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Heriot-Watt University. Since joining InnoScot Health in 2002, she has gained more than twenty years’ experience in all aspects of medical device development and fifteen years in regulatory approval. She is a certified ISO 13485 /ISO 9001 Lead Auditor and has experience of regulatory approval in United Kingdom, Europe and USA. She has held roles at Director and Senior Management levels in two InnoScot Health spinout companies.

1515

Keynote Speaker

Elaine Gemmell, Head of Regulatory Affairs, InnoScot Health

Regulatory Challenges within the Life Sciences Sector

The panel will delve into the evolving regulatory landscape for life sciences companies, particularly in light of post-Brexit changes. As of 2024, companies selling medicines and medical products in the UK must secure approval from the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), while still navigating the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for EU markets. With approximately half of UK exports going to the EU, the dual approval process presents increased compliance challenges.

Additionally, life sciences companies expanding to global markets must comply with regulations from other regions, such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and authorities in Asia-Pacific and emerging markets, further complicating regulatory pathways. The panel will also discuss complexities with the choices of CA vrs CE vrs FDA marking in the current environment.

This session will explore how companies can efficiently navigate these multiple regulatory frameworks, manage compliance across regions, and adapt to the increasing complexity of global regulations.

Regulatory Challenges within the Life Sciences Sector

The panel will delve into the evolving regulatory landscape for life sciences companies, particularly in light of post-Brexit changes. As of 2024, companies selling medicines and medical products in the UK must secure approval from the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), while still navigating the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for EU markets. With approximately half of UK exports going to the EU, the dual approval process presents increased compliance challenges.

Additionally, life sciences companies expanding to global markets must comply with regulations from other regions, such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and authorities in Asia-Pacific and emerging markets, further complicating regulatory pathways. The panel will also discuss complexities with the choices of CA vrs CE vrs FDA marking in the current environment.

This session will explore how companies can efficiently navigate these multiple regulatory frameworks, manage compliance across regions, and adapt to the increasing complexity of global regulations.

Panel members to be announced shortly

1545

Panel Session:

Regulatory Challenges within the Life Sciences Industry

Regulatory Challenges within Scotland’s Life Sciences Industry

This session will explore how companies can efficiently navigate these multiple regulatory frameworks, manage compliance across regions, and adapt to the increasing complexity of global regulations.

Conference

Life Sciences Conference

Starts at

12:00

Thursday
13 March

2025

Programme

1300

Introduction

1315

Keynote Speaker

1515

Keynote Speaker

When & Where

Contact

Produced by

Conference

Life Sciences Conference

Starts at

12:00

Thursday 13 March

2025

Programme

1200

Networking Lunch

1300

Introduction

1315

Keynote Speaker

1345

Panel Session:

1445

Networking Break

1515

Keynote Speaker

1545

Panel Session:

1645

Closing Remarks

1700

Programme End

When & Where

Contact

Produced by

Thursday
13 March