BioCentral Investor’s Day cements relationships between investors and Midland’s leading biotech
29th April 2005
BioCentral, an association of the Midlands’ leading research universities and business organisations, held it’s first Investors’ day in Nottingham. Promoting novel biosciences and medical technologies for commercialisation, the event brought together more than 20 investors with 8 of the most promising Midland’s life science and medical companies currently looking for up to £5m of investment.
Among the highlights was a presentation from Scancell on their latest developments in cancer vaccines and the promise for commercial success in the future. Professor Steve Howdle of Critical Pharmaceuticals described recent advances in their novel drug delivery technology, which has the potential to greatly improve the effectiveness of new and existing therapies.
Additionally, the region’s leading academics presented the most up-to-date progress in areas such as cell based therapy and the use of diet-derived compounds in the treatment of cancer. These are fields which are poised to offer significant commercial opportunities in growth markets.
The morning and afternoon sessions were hosted by Peter Fothergill, chairman of Cobra Biomanufacturing plc, a successful AIM listed company and Edwin Moses, a founder director of Oxford Asymmetry, which merged with Evotec in 2000 at a valuation of £316 million.
Posters and exhibition sessions complemented the companies’ presentations and provided an ideal opportunity for investors to meet representatives of the companies and glean more information.
Prior to the event, Connect Midland, a sponsor of BioCentral, supported the professional mentoring and training of the companies to allow them to tailor and deliver their presentations for an investor audience. A panel of highly experienced technology assessors ensured the company’s offerings were of good commercial opportunities.
Glenn Crocker, CEO of BioCity Nottingham, commented, “The event brought together some of the region’s best companies with a significant number of investors and provided an excellent platform for both parties to learn more. As far as we are aware, this is the first time a specialist bioscience event of this sort has been held in the Midlands, and given the feedback we have received, it looks like this will be the first of many”
About BioCentral:
BioCentral is an association of the Midlands’ leading universities and business organisations working together to promote investment in commercialising the region’s novel biosciences and medical technologies. Sponsors include The University of Nottingham, BBSRC, BioCity Nottingham, BioSpring, bioKnex, the British Midlands, Connect Midlands, East Midlands Pathfinders, Lachesis Fund, Loughborough University, MediLink East Midlands, Northbank Communications and Nottingham Trent University.