6th December 2017
UK HealthTech has its sixth year in Cardiff
This week the sixth annual UK HealthTech conference took place in Cardiff, bringing delegates from all over the UK to the Welsh capital. Organised by MediWales, the life science network for Wales, the full-day event was held at Cardiff’s Mercure Holland House Hotel.
Representatives from a wide range of companies, universities, charities and health boards attended the conference, which had a programme covering Medical Technology, BioPharma Development and Healthcare.
After an introduction from MediWales CEO Gwyn Tudor, welcoming everyone to Wales, delegates were addressed by keynote speakers from Seed Ventures, Innovate UK and Neem Biotech. The conference then split into three separate streams, looking at clinical innovation beyond borders, patient access to new medicines and regulatory updates for medical devices. This was followed by three more streams, exploring innovation adoption in healthcare, new developments in pharmaceutical manufacturing and diagnostic challenges faced by the NHS.
During the lunch break, the exhibition space was thriving, with delegates seizing the opportunity to network and make new contacts in the sector. Following lunch, there was a session with keynote speakers from Exstent, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the MHRA. The conference then divided into three streams again – one on the procurement landscape, another on AI and the psychology of cancer and an innovation showcase for companies.
Finally, the conference ended with a session on finance, funding and Brexit, with speakers representing Santander, the Development Bank of Wales, the BioIndustry Association, Innovate UK, RedKnight Consultancy and Geldards. The day came to a close with a drinks reception.
MediWales’ next conference is set to take place on 20th June 2018. MediWales Connects: NHS Collaboration Conference, the only event of its kind, unites companies with the NHS in Wales to explore new work, research and opportunities in the health and care community.