Event explores developing partnerships for innovation in health
Pictured at the event, from left, are Professor Chris Brightling, Professor Don Jones, Dr Lynne Howells, Carl Edwards and Dr Mervyn Thomas.
Scientists and healthcare experts from across the Midlands have come together to explore the transformative impact of partnerships for innovation in health and the life sciences.
On Thursday (27 June), teams from the University of Leicester’s Institute for Precision Health, Institute for Structural and Chemical Biology, Leicestershire Academic Health Partners (LAHP) and Medilink Midlands explored the synergies between academia, healthcare, and industry.
The event, held at the King Power Stadium, encouraged innovation in health and the life sciences through partnership building.
As well as networking opportunities there were over 15 talks, including presentations on partnership working from Medilink Midlands’ Innovation Manager, Victoria Patel, Dr Mervyn Thomas on precision medicine enabled by retinal imaging, and by Health Innovation East Midlands’ Accountable Officer, Nicole McGlennon on supporting the adoption of innovation.Professor Chris Brightling, Co-Director of the Institute for Precision Health, said: “It really is timely to be talking about innovation at the University of Leicester at the King Power Stadium following Leicester City’s promotion to the Premier League.
“We are in the top flight of the innovation league and this event allows us to showcase all that is happening at the University, right from the basic science through to translational activity, and how this can be implemented both into the clinic and wider society.
“There was an amazing buzz in the room with local businesses and leadership figures across the University in attendance, enabling us to work towards different solutions for the challenges we face and to move towards new treatments and innovations. It also provided a fantastic opportunity to discuss funding opportunities and ways that we can work together in the future.”
Professor Don Jones, Co-Director of the Institute for Precision Health, added: “The event was a great success in showcasing, enabling and encouraging new partnerships. It brought together our major stakeholders including academia with the research ideas, industry with the commercialisation potential, and the NHS where we can ultimately test new products and innovations to improve patient care.”