Day TwoWednesday, 30 April 2025 - GMT (Greenwich Mean Time, GMTZ)

The medtech industry, like much of healthcare, has historically been the focus of criticism related to gender imbalance. The underrepresentation of women in the medtech world has led to inequity, with the medical needs of women not receiving the funding and research they deserve, and generic technologies being insufficiently tested on female populations leading to complications. However, there have been some fantastic inroads made in recent years thanks to some excellent initiatives. These inroads will be discussed in depth along with conversations on what more is needed from the sector to ensure women receive proper representation on the medtech stage.

• Role of communities and societies in increasing gender balance
• Next steps in ensuring female representation is here to stay
• Advances in femtech, addressing traditionally female medical needs

Ideas and technology are undoubtedly crucial in bringing a medtech solution to market, however, arguably as important is the leadership team assembled to drive the technology through development and to market. Hear from investors and medtech company CEOs as they discuss why a strong leadership team is so important, and the successful strategies they have seen employed to build the team.

• The value of a strong leadership team when targeting milestones in the journey to commercialisation
• The value of a strong leadership team when investors are doing their due diligence
• Relinquishing the reins, knowing when to look for a new CEO
• The benefit of experienced executives

• What does the future of AI-powered but human centred clinical trials look like?
• How do we validate technologies before they get introduced into clinical trials?
• Exploring the use of AI in the various clinical trial stages
• How can we ensure that algorithms are unbiased and fair?
• Can AI help to improve access to clinical trials for underserved populations?

• Deploying digital health tools within large, complex health systems: key considerations for adoption and implementation
• Analysing current frameworks for digital health implementation and evaluating if they work in the real world
• Beyond the pill - examples of digital technology being used in clinical practice
• Looking to the future and effective frameworks - How can we empower healthcare professionals to adopt digital health tools effectively?

The fields of inflammation and immunology are at the forefront of therapeutic innovation, with a surge of new discoveries paving the way for transformative treatments. As the complexity of these conditions grows, so does the need for robust collaborations between pharmaceutical companies and biotech firms. This panel features business development executives from leading pharma organizations who will discuss effective partnering strategies in immunology. Attendees will explore current trends, challenges, and opportunities within this rapidly evolving landscape, gaining valuable insights into how to forge successful collaborations that drive advancements in patient care.

• How can we gain a better understanding of our patients’ journeys to achieve enhanced outcomes?
• How can identifying new R&D opportunities inform BD strategies?
• What partnerships can we form with patient groups, research institutions, public health authorities, and others in the industry across diseases?
• What new innovations are coming down the pipeline, and how is the field as a whole developing? What are the future directions?

Join industry leaders as they share their insights, strategies, and success stories regarding early-stage collaborations between pharmaceutical companies and biotech firms. This panel will delve into the critical intersections of research, development, and business, highlighting how these partnerships can catalyze groundbreaking innovations and expedite the transition from concept to market. Engage in an informative discussion about the challenges, opportunities, and best practices that shape early collaborations with pharma, ultimately influencing the future of transformative healthcare advancements.

• Exploring the unique benefits that arise from collaborating at the early stages of development
• Identifying the various opportunities available for biotech companies to partner with pharma
• Understanding what large pharmaceutical companies prioritize when considering investment opportunities

Transitioning from scientific discovery to commercial success in biotech requires more than innovative products; it demands a strong and skilled commercial team capable of effectively marketing and selling biopharmaceuticals. This panel will bring together seasoned biotech executives who will share their insights on the critical considerations involved in assembling a successful sales and marketing team. Attendees will learn how to bridge the gap between science and commerce, ensuring that their products reach the market and resonate with healthcare providers and patients alike.

• Understanding the essential skills and expertise needed for a commercial team, from sales professionals to marketing strategists
• Strategies for ensuring that commercial teams can effectively communicate the scientific value and clinical benefits of biopharmaceutical products
• Creating an environment that fosters collaboration between scientific and commercial teams to drive shared goals and success in the marketplace

The integration of AI and machine learning is revolutionizing the biotech industry, offering unprecedented opportunities to scale operations and enhance innovation. This panel features experienced biotech executives who will discuss how these advanced technologies are being leveraged to streamline processes, improve decision-making, and accelerate the development of biopharmaceutical products. Attendees will gain insights into practical applications of AI in biotech, highlighting its potential to drive efficiency and effectiveness in various stages of growth.

• How artificial intelligence can enhance data analysis, leading to more informed decisions in drug discovery, development, and commercialization
• Exploring the role of machine learning in optimizing workflows, resource allocation, and operational efficiency within biotech companies
• The impact of digital health technologies on patient engagement, clinical trials, and real-world evidence generation, and how these innovations support scaling efforts

• Introductions by Moderator (2 mins)
  • The importance of licensing in fostering biotech growth and innovation
• Opening Presentation (15 mins)
  • Overview of Licensing in Biotech
    • Current trends and statistics in biotech licensing deals
    • Impact of recent high-profile licensing agreements on the industry
  • Importance of Licensing for Biotechs
    • How licensing can provide biotechs with access to new technologies, funding, and markets
    • Strategies for biotechs to position their intellectual property for successful licensing deals
  • Key Considerations for Successful Licensing Agreements
    • Essential elements of due diligence in licensing negotiations, valuation methods, and metrics
    • Importance of partnership alignment, ensuring mutual benefit, and managing expectations

• Introduction to the Case Study
  • Presentation of a successful biotech licensing deal and its impact on both parties
• Fireside Chat Questions:
  • Motivation Behind the Licensing Agreement
    • What drove the decision to pursue the licensing deal? What factors were considered?
  • Process Overview
    • Steps taken from initial IP identification and valuation to the signing of the licensing agreement, including challenges encountered and how they were addressed
  • Outcome and Lessons Learned
    • Key insights gained from the process and the impact of the licensing deal on the biotech's growth
  • Future Considerations
    • What to expect in future licensing activities based on current market trends and evolving technology

• Open Floor for Questions (10 mins)
  • How should biotech companies prepare their IP for licensing discussions?
  • What specific attributes do potential licensees look for in a biotech company’s portfolio?
  • How can licensing be used strategically to drive growth and innovation in biotech?
• Wrap-Up Discussion (5 mins)
  • Summarize key takeaways from the workshop
  • Highlight actionable insights for biotech companies considering licensing opportunities

Clinical trials can signal a pivotal moment in the growth of a medtech startup, proving safety and efficacy whilst providing a springboard to success in the journey to commercialisation. Our panel of medtech leaders discuss winning strategies to get the most out of your clinical trials and to ensure your technology is safe for all.

• Strategies for satisfying the requirements of multiple regulatory boards in a single data set
• The role of vulnerable/underrepresented groups in clinical trials
• Approaching clinical trial planning as part of a long-term strategy

Much has been made of the role of artificial intelligence, not just in healthcare but universally across industries. With headlines of virtual doctors and specialists being replaced by machines, it is only natural that AI is generating significant buzz within the space. Though arguably more important than the high-level game changing AI technologies are those not seen by the general public, the uses of AI which can improve workflow and optimise efficiency. Our panel of medtech AI experts and investors discuss the technologies they are most excited about and the future of AI in the medtech industry.

• A holistic view of AI in medtech, and where AI can go in the near future
• Navigating new AI regulatory guidelines
• Patient and general population trust of AI and the impact that has on usage
• Uses of AI as an administrative tool

With the medtech world finding itself in a capital scarce environment much has been made of medtech companies’ ability to diversify revenue streams as an opportunity to generate greater revenue, and also as a way to de-risk potential investment from venture capital companies and strategic partners. This panel of investors and medtech executives discuss the pros and cons of diversified revenue and strategies for entering new markets or therapeutic areas.

• Investor insights into diversified revenue streams
• Ensuring revenue streams are sufficiently aligned
• The danger of spreading resources too thin
• Strategies for effective diversification

With a new UK government pledging to make Britain a “powerhouse for life sciences and medical technology”, and separate regulations from EU MDR on the way, could the UK soon be the place to be for medtech startups in Europe? Our panel of medtech experts discuss the role of the NHS in the medtech landscape and strategies to maximise the chances of adoption.

• The role of NICE and the NHS Innovation Centre
• Strategies to ensure good market fit
• The role of AI in healthcare systems
• Barriers to adoption

Universities, particularly in the UK, have established themselves as integral pieces of the medtech landscape. We will discuss the role they play in greater detail, as well as discussing strategies to make the most of the support universities can provide.

• The importance of universities in UK medtech innovation
• The role of universities in Europe in protecting innovation
• Strategies to maximise the support offered by university programmes

• What impact will the EU AI Act have on healthcare and the quality of care?
• Opportunities and challenges for business - Are businesses/ startups ready and prepared for the changes ahead?
• MDR vs EU AI Act- How do these two coexist?
• Strategies for compliance and leveraging the EU AI Act to gain a competitive advantage
• Analysing the potential effects of the EU AI Act on Research, development, and investment

• Is home the next frontier for patient-centric healthcare?
• Highlighting the role of digital health solutions in enabling effective home-based care
• Remote monitoring vs virtual wards – Are they the same thing?
• Strategies for incentivizing at home care adoption, including value-based payment models and risk-sharing arrangements

In the era of digital health, data plays a crucial role in improving patient outcomes and driving innovation. However, the collection and use of patient data raise significant concerns about privacy, security, and trust. Our key digital health experts will discuss strategies for managing data transparently in digital health.

• Developing and deploying digital health solutions that prioritize data privacy and security
• How do we build better trust with patients and healthcare providers?
• Best practices for data anonymization and pseudonymization
• Patient rights - the importance of informed consent in data sharing, and empowering patients to take control of their own health data