Brewing with excitement, the London Biotechnology Show kicked off at Olympia West today, a two-day conference and expo, which brought together industry leaders, innovators, startups, investors and other important stakeholders under one roof to explore all the latest and greatest in the realm of biotechnology.
The show started at 9 am with the inaugural remarks by the organisers, setting the stage for the day filled with insightful sessions and groundbreaking discoveries.
Charles Hickson, Deputy Head – Strategic Sectors at UK Export Finance (UKEF), led a thought-provoking session on UK Government Support for The Life Science Sector. Charles said that the UKEF stands ready to support companies across the UK, including those in the biotech sector, in three crucial ways: Securing Export Contracts for them by guaranteeing finance to buyers and empowering them to source products and services from the UK; Boosting Capacity of companies through working capital which would help UK companies to undertake larger contracts, increasing their capacity and fulfilling more orders; Ensuring Payment, by providing insurance against buyer default, safeguarding UK exporters’ interests, and mitigating the risks associated with international trade. In 2022-23, according to Charles, UKEP provided £6.5 billion of financial support to UK exporters, irrespective of their size, small and medium-sized enterprise or a large company.
Following him, Thomas Balkizas, Senior Director of Life Sciences at Microsoft, delved into the fusion of GenAI and Biotech, captivating the audience with the marvellous possibilities of AI in Life Sciences. In his presentation, he referenced Microsoft's data, which projected a potential $150 billion in savings for healthcare providers by 2026 through the adoption of AI to prevent medication dosing errors. Expanding on the capabilities of this technology, he emphasized its versatility, suggesting its role in enhancing diversity in clinical trial recruitment and revolutionizing treatment strategies in neonatal care, among other possibilities.
As the day progressed, the attendees immersed themselves in a diverse range of topics delivered by renowned speakers through presentations and panel discussions. Some of the important themes that were explored on day 1 ranged from Recombinant DNA Technologies, Clinical Trials and Advanced Therapies to Tissue Engineering, Genomics, Proteomics, and Bioinformatics.
The excitement was palpable in the exhibition hall buzzed with visitors scanning through booths set by over 70 regional and global exhibitors to showcase their cutting-edge products and services. From established names like Discovery Park, Agilent Technologies Aramex, Phaidon International, NHS Innovation Service, Merck Life Science, Thermo Fisher, etc. to aspiring startups, the expo provided a glimpse into the future of biotechnology and how technology can revolutionise healthcare and medical sectors globally. Throughout the day, exhibitors diligently presented their products & services to diverse audiences, engaging in extensive networking and business matchmaking, making new business connections and forging long term partnerships.
There was a great visitor turnout with thousands of industry professionals in attendance, signifying the event's significance within the sector. Expressing satisfaction, one of the visitors present at the show said that, “these sorts of meetings provide incredible opportunities for collaboration, networking, and dialogue among researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers.”
“Meetings like this one are the lifeblood of the biotech industry, at a time when connection, collaboration and investment are needed the most,” another visitor added.
Meanwhile, exhibitors remained occupied throughout the entirety of the day, offering their latest offerings to the wider and enthused audience. The unprecedented turn out, ambiance and execution made one exhibitor say that the inaugural show looked as having progressed through several editions.
Parallel to the main event, the Startup Showcase which was sponsored by Discovery Park & Discovery Park Ventures offered an important platform to new entrants to shine, with industry experts sharing their invaluable insights and feedback. Meanwhile, the startup pitching program allowed budding entrepreneurs to pitch their revolutionary ideas and innovations in front of a captive audience of VCs & industry titans, providing them with ample opportunities to unlock promising business deals.
Day 1 also witnessed several business deals and strategic partnerships announcements, including one between eLabNext and Alto Marketing. Christopher Austin, Director, eLAB nEXT shared this exciting news on her LinkedIn, expressing her enthusiasm for this collaboration. She wrote, “Thrilled to announce an amazing partnership between eLabNext and Alto Marketing, It’s a privilege to witness Kelly Buggy and Naomi Buckland championing the #eLabNext and Eppendorf Brands at the London Biotechnology Show today! Together, we’re set to revolutionise the world of lab tech!”.
After the highly successful Day 1 marked by substantial buzz, new product launches, cutting edge showcase, business matchmaking, panel discussions, networking opportunities, impactful presentations, notable partnership announcements, Day 2 promises a wealth of offerings and opportunities, innovation and inspiration.
Free Visitor Registrations are available for the UK's most exciting biotech event. Get your free pass now
Important Event Information:
>Event Dates: 8 - 9 May, 2024
>Venue: Olympia West, 12 Blythe Rd, London, W14 8UX
>Opening & Closing Time: 09:00 - 17:00 (GMT+1)
>Visitor Pass : If you have already registered for #LBS24, collect your badge on-site by presenting the QR code embedded in your digital pass at the registration desk. If you're facing any challenges with online registration or downloading your visitor pass, we've got you covered. Simply visit the dedicated registration counter at the venue tomorrow and our on-site team will be more than happy to assist you in completing the registration process.
> Networking App: Download feature rich networking app and maximise your experience at #LBS24 by seamlessly networking with thousands of industry professionals and receiving critical real-time updates from time to time
>Get In Touch:
For general enquiries:
Phone No.: +44 208 242 6566
Email: info@londonbiotechshow.com
For media enquiries:
Phone no: +44 203 287 8878
Email: press@valiantandcompany.com
