‘Beating the odds in biobusiness’ conference gains sponsorship from big pharma
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 3 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.
Jane Osbourn, Vice President, Research & Development and Site Leader of MedImmune Cambridge, said:
MedImmune is keen to support young biobusiness entrepreneurs and start-ups, particularly in Cambridge, home to bioscience innovation. 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 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 1,500 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.