Downpour didn’t deter people from attending LATi 2017 Life Sciences Showcase

Well, that’s life! Torrential rain on the day and the very next day we woke up to glorious sunshine and blue skies. Those that braved the weather arrived at reception drenched, but in good humour.  

LATi 2017 Life Sciences speakers were outstanding.  Dr Alasdair Gaw of Leicester Precision Medicine Institute, Dr Kath Mackay of Innovate UK, Aamir Butt of Tumour Trace and Professor Graham Pockley of the John van Geest Cancer Research Centre at NTU provided valuable insights into the latest developments in personalised medicine, and opportunities for Life Sciences enterprises.

One of the most enthusiastic responses we had after the event was from student, Jack Fox-Male who remarked that the conference provided him with an excellent opportunity to revise, and that he learnt more in those two hours than from any of the text books he has read! We all did! That is the remarkable thing about LATi events, we not only learn a great deal – what we learn is truly inspiring! And, we make great new connections too!

The talks highlighted the remarkable science taking place right here in the East Midlands and the excellent resources available – and opportunities to collaborate with the University of Leicester and Nottingham Trent University. Besides the the opportunities for life sciences SMEs to access significant pots of funding through Innovate UK competitions.

22 life sciences and related enterprises exhibited at this year’s event. The exhibition, which was held in the impressive Pavilion Building at NTU Clifton campus, was buzzing with conversation. Many companies brought equipment and prototypes to the event: Veolia Water Technologies brought their impressive technology used in scientific labs to purify water; and Tumour Trace showed their remarkable new cancer diagnostic equipment.

Attendees say

“XenoGesis had the pleasure of exhibiting at and attending the LATi 2017 Life Sciences Showcase.  Each LATi Showcase has taken a different approach and perspective and for 2017 the exhibition venue in the Pavilion building at NTU opened up the potential to meet with NTU students and staff, as well as those attending the conference.  As always, the presentations were highly engaging, this year taking on different facets of commercialising personalised healthcare.  LATi Showcase events are time well spent in a friendly and productive environment and we look forward to further networking and debating soon!”
Liz Rendall, Xenogesis

“The LATI Life Sciences Show was attractive to Veolia (Elga) Water Technologies as this is a sector in which we are very active and have a lot of product alignment across the full spectrum of water purity and volumes as required. Additionally being held in a University environment made the attraction even greater as this is another market area in which we have a good market base and a lot of business including for our new Chorus Range of bench top water purification equipment. The LATI event gave us opportunities to meet both potential and current customers for our pure water products allowing us to build new relationships and follow new expressions of interest for the future.”
Simon Mortimer, Veolia Water Technologies

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the meeting and associated lectures. There was the added bonus of meeting up with an old colleague from my ‘Fisons’ days who I had not seen for more than thirty years!
Paul Longhorn, Nemaura Pharma

It may seem unusual for a Cornwall based company to be at an East Midlands networking event but as I am based in Nottingham and graduated from NTU, I took the opportunity to exhibit at the recent LATI event. Although the weather was a bit damp, the venue was great for exhibiting and networking with some old friends as well as some interesting new contacts. The key feature for me was making new connections slightly outside of my usual area which will hopefully lead to some interesting avenues in the future.
Steve Brough, Key Organics

“There may not have been hordes of people in the exhibition area but, as the saying goes, it’s “quality not quantity” that counts!  We certainly had some really fruitful discussions. My firm, Potter Clarkson, would be very keen to be involved in similar events organised by LATi.  In the Q&A session at the end of the talks yesterday, the topic of patents and IP generally was raised by Graham Pockley and it’s definitely true that an effective patent strategy is crucial to the success of university spin-outs and other SMEs.”
Steve Smith, Potter Clarkson

“As graphic designers, events like this are a great way for Crayfish Design to connect and get to know fellow LATi members, the diverse range of industries they cover and how they portray the product or service to their target markets. This creates an understanding on many different levels, which helps us to produce designs solutions that visually communicate the right message for our clients and their customers”
Jim McEwen, Crayfish Design

Many thanks to our hosts, NTU School of Science and Technology. In particular, the School’s Dean, Professor Mary O’Neill for opening the event and highlighting the fantastic opportunities for collaboration and the wealth of exceptional tech and science talent the university is nurturing.