Conference partners Miranda Weston-Smith, the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (CfEL) and One Nucleus are pleased to announce MedImmune, the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca, as headline sponsor of the ‘Beating the odds: growing biobusinesses today’ conference on 3rd October in Cambridge. In addition, UK biotechnology company, Horizon Discovery, and global pharmaceutical company, Pfizer, are contributing as silver level sponsors. The support particularly recognises the need to inspire and encourage young and emerging biobusinesses.
'Beating the odds: growing biobusinesses today' is open to all bio entrepreneurs, industry experts, academics and students wishing to participate in meaningful discussions and network with those who want to be part of the next wave of bio innovation. The conference organisers are also inviting all young and emerging biobusinesses to apply to showcase their companies and innovations.
“MedImmune is keen to support young biobusiness entrepreneurs and start-ups, particularly in Cambridge, home to bioscience innovation,” said Jane Osbourn (pictured), Vice President, Research & Development and Site Leader of MedImmune Cambridge. “The conference offers them a superb opportunity to present their innovations, get inspiration and network with a high calibre audience of experienced experts and investors.”
Jane is part of an all female speaker line-up drawn from influential women leaders across the bio sector in both the UK and USA to inspire, debate and deliver fresh perspectives. This highlights women's contribution to the sector but more importantly offers the opportunity to learn from and tap into female talent for the benefit of bio businesses.
Darrin Disley, CEO of Horizon Discovery Ltd and CfEL Entrepreneur in Residence, who has contributed his expertise and financial support to numerous educational programmes and student business creation competitions said, “It is important to encourage new talent and ideas if we are to develop new industries, stimulate economic growth and enable us to respond to future societal challenges. Biotech businesses can reap rewards from considering the bench to boardroom contribution female business leaders have made in influencing and enabling the industry to this point.”
Cambridge has developed a world-class cluster of over 1500 hi-tech and biotech companies since the 1960s. The government contribution of £44 million to the Babraham Research Campus for the incubation of bioscience start-ups and the expansion of the Addenbrooke’s Biomedical Campus means Cambridge can attract more bioscience companies to the city and region. The recent announcement of the relocation of pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca’s global R&D and corporate headquarters to Cambridge further endorses its reputation and value as a place where entrepreneurship and innovation thrives.
Ruth McKernan, Head of Pfizer’s Cambridge Site said, “Pfizer believes in fostering a community driven by enterprise and innovation where bio businesses have the opportunity to flourish. Cambridge is an important hub for this type of endeavour and a natural locale to host such a forum.”
If you are a young bio entrepreneur or emerging biobusiness and would like to apply to showcase your innovations at the lunchtime session, please contact Orsolya Ihasz, CfEL Programme Manager, or Miranda Weston-Smith by email at biobusiness@jbs.cam.ac.uk
Further information and details on how to book places at the conference on 3rd October 2013 at the Gillespie Centre, Clare College, Cambridge, is available on the CfEL web site at http://www.cfel.jbs.cam.ac.uk/programmes/biobusiness/index.html Places are limited so early booking is advisable. Please note that fees apply.
Conference partners and supporters:
The conference partners are Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning, Miranda Weston-Smith, and OneNucleus. In addition to the key partners, this conference is supported by a number of organisations and student groups including St John’s Innovation Centre, the Oxbridge Biotech Roundtable, the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, Babraham Bioscience Technologies Ltd, the Humanitarian Centre, the Cambridge University Entrepreneurs (CUE) and the Cambridge University Technology and Enterprise Club (CUTEC).
Miranda Weston-Smith
Miranda Weston-Smith founded Women in BioBusiness in partnership with the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning, University of Cambridge, in 2012. The not-for-profit initiative will create a forum to inspire and support the next wave of entrepreneurs and leaders, which includes this conference. In addition, Miranda provides practical business development services for healthcare and biotech. She supports clients with marketing, new venture development and technology transfer expertise offering a cost-effective way to boost a company's growth. Visit Miranda’s website to find out more.
About MedImmune www.medimmune.com
MedImmune is the worldwide biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca. MedImmune is pioneering innovative research and exploring novel pathways across key therapeutic areas, including respiratory, inflammation and autoimmunity; cardiovascular and metabolic disease; oncology; neuroscience; and infection and vaccines.
MedImmune's Cambridge site is the European biologics R&D hub for these key therapeutic areas, and has its historical foundations in Cambridge Antibody Technology.
Horizon Discovery www.horizondiscovery.com
Horizon Discovery is a UK Biotechnology company combining a long scientific heritage in translational research with a precision gene-editing platform based upon homologous recombination. The company is a trusted supplier of cell line generation services, genetically-defined cell-lines, reporter gene assay kits, assay development and compound screening services (RNAi, small molecule & biologics) to hundreds of organisations engaged in bio-pharmaceutical process optimisation; drug discovery & development, and clinical diagnostic development. Horizon aspires to provide science-driven research solutions that lead to the advancement in the understanding of the genetic basis of disease and better healthcare outcomes for patients.
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Contact: Katharine Price, Marketing & Communications Manager, CfEL
Email: k.price@jbs.cam.ac.uk ; Tel: 01223 766917
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