Life sciences community unites at Villa Park
Medilink Midlands has celebrated another hugely successful Innovation Day, the Midlands’ flagship life sciences and medtech conference and exhibition.
Held on Wednesday 17 September at Villa Park, Birmingham, the event brought together over 250 delegates for a full day of sector insight, networking, exhibitions, and expert-led workshops. As part of the wider West Midlands Life Sciences Week, Innovation Day also reached new audiences from across the regional health innovation ecosystem.
Programme highlights
The day featured keynote presentations, expert panels, exhibitor showcases, and interactive workshops. Discussions centred on AI, data, precision medicine, and the EMERGE Rehab Accelerator, which is helping to fast-track innovative rehabilitation technologies to improve patient recovery and independence.
For the first time, delegates could switch between two programme tracks using silent seminar headsets, tailoring their experience to the sessions most relevant to them.
The event was supported by three official sponsors:
• Penningtons Manches Cooper
• Adamson Jones, part of Gateley
• Creative Networks
Each sponsor played a unique role in shaping the day, from hosting workshops to sharing sector expertise, alongside an exhibition that reflected the strength and diversity of the regional innovation ecosystem.
Melanie Davidson, CEO of Medilink Midlands, said:
“Innovation Day represents the strength, ambition and spirit of collaboration in our regional life sciences and medtech community. From the launch of our new Future Talent Laboratory to the breadth of innovation on the exhibition floor, this year showcased why the Midlands is a national leader in health innovation. We’re proud to deliver such a high-quality programme and grateful to our sponsors, partners and members for championing innovation that improves health outcomes and drives economic growth.”
Dr Lisa Page, Partner at Penningtons Manches Cooper, commented:
“We were proud to support Innovation Day 2025 as both sponsors and Patron of Medilink Midlands. Our award-winning life sciences team advises clients across the medical device, pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, and we were delighted to connect with delegates and contribute to conversations that drive real impact across the sector.”
Simon Cooper, Managing Director Patent and Trademark Attorney, Adamson Jones, part of Gateley, added:
“As a long-standing Patron of Medilink Midlands, we were delighted to return as a sponsor of Innovation Day. The event was a fantastic opportunity to engage with ambitious innovators and support their next stage of growth across diagnostics, therapeutics, devices and digital health.”
Creative Networks concluded:
“Technology and connectivity underpin every aspect of modern healthcare. As a trusted IT partner, we were proud to support Innovation Day and the innovators driving progress in life sciences.”
Medilink Midlands will now build on the momentum of Innovation Day as it continues to support businesses, clinicians, and academics across the region to collaborate, innovate, and grow. Planning is already underway for Innovation Day 2026.
We’d love to hear your feedback – please click here to complete this short survey to help us shape future events.
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Mezzanine Level
11:00 – 12:00
Workshop: Accelerating Rehabilitation Technology Innovation in the Midlands
Join this session to discover the opportunities for innovators in rehabilitation technologies space in the Midlands. Hear directly from speakers from three major programmes Prof John Hunt (Lead of EMERGE RehabTech), Prof Dan Clark (Co-director of NIHR HRC for Rehabilitation) and Alison Wildt (Innovation Lead, National Rehabilitation Centre) as they outline how their initiatives support commercial innovation through funding, partnerships, and access to healthcare systems.
The session will cover:
- Insights from leading Midlands based programmes on how they support rehabilitation technology innovation and contribute to the wider rehab tech ecosystem.
- An interactive discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing rehab tech innovators and how these initiatives can help support your growth.
Delivered by EMERGE RehabTech Impact Accelerator
12:30 – 13:00
Workshop: Supplying into the NHS: are you prepared?
Delivered by Health Innovation East Midlands & Pd-m
13:30 – 14:00
Workshop: How to build an investor-ready IP portfolio
Your intellectual property (IP) portfolio is a powerful asset, but are you using it to its full potential? In just 30 minutes, we’ll cut through the jargon and get straight to what matters most to investors. Join Medilink Midlands Patron and event sponsor, Adamson Jones for a fast-paced workshop to learn how to transform your IP from a legal afterthought into a core driver of value and a powerful tool for securing investment.
The session will cover:
- What do investors look for in an IP portfolio
- Building value in your IP portfolio
- Minimising risk for investors
Delivered by event sponsor: Adamson Jones
14:00 – 14:30
Workshop: Think Before You Click: Cybersecurity Best Practices for Everyday Work
Join Innovation Day event sponsor, Creative Networks for a practical and engaging workshop designed to empower you with the knowledge and skills to protect yourself and your organisation from common online threats. This isn’t a technical deep dive; it’s a quick, interactive session focused on real-world best practices you can apply immediately.
The session will cover:
- Introduction & Awareness: Key Message: “Most breaches happen due to human error, not technology failure.”
- Interactive Activity: sample emails – find the phishing / compromising email
- Best Practices Recap: Quick-fire Do’s and Don’ts
- Q&A Session: Open the floor & wrap up
Delivered by event sponsor: Creative Networks
14:30 – 15:00
Workshop: AI, Data and the Law: Strategic Legal Insights for Life Sciences Innovators using or creating AI systems
An overview into the evolving regulatory landscape and legal contractual issues surrounding artificial intelligence in the life sciences sector. As AI continues to transform drug discovery, medical devices, diagnostics, and clinical trials, innovators face complex challenges around, regulatory compliance, data privacy, intellectual property and liability. This session will equip attendees with strategic legal insights to navigate these issues confidently.
The session will cover:
- AI and contracting: Whether you’re developing AI tolls or integrating them into your operations, what are the important legal issues that arise in the legal terms for agreements when contracting for AI.
- AI governance: Navigating the MHRA approach and EU approach including for AI as a medical device.
- Data licensing for training/ testing or running AI systems – what to watch out for.
- Data protection compliance in relation to AI.
- Q&A.
Delivered by event sponsor: Penningtons Manches Cooper
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Full gallery of photos taken at the Medilink Midlands Innovation Day 2025. Access code: medilink2025
If any photos are used for own use, please endorse Medilink Midlands and A S Studios Ltd, or if on social media, please tag the following accounts:
LinkedIn
Medilink Midlands
A S Studios Ltd
X
@MedilinkMids
2024 Gallery continues to be available – click here.
Innovation Day is back – bigger, better, and part of West Midlands Life Sciences Week.
Join us for our annual flagship conference, bringing together the Midlands life sciences and medtech community for a dynamic day of inspiration, connection, and opportunity.
This year, we’re offering even more value with two content tracks, exclusive networking formats, and practical sessions tailored to help you grow, collaborate, and innovate.
Whether you’re a start-up, NHS professional, academic, or multinational – this is your must-attend event for 2025.
What’s New for 2025? Two tracks of content – choose how you spend your day with two parallel streams:
Track 1 – Main Stage:
Sector-wide themes including:
- Innovation across the Midlands
- Co-creation with the NHS
- AI & Precision Medicine
- International growth
- Funding & investment insights
Track 2 – New for 2025:
Choose interactive formats including:
- Learn about the EMERGE initiative*
- Supplying into the NHS*
- Practical workshops with event sponsors:
- Creative Networks
- Adamson Jones
- Penningtons Manches Cooper
Ticket Options
🎟️ £8.50 + VAT – Includes a lunch bag
🎟️ Free – Standard entry (without lunch)
*(pre-booking required, based on first come first serve, matching eligibility criteria)
*Catering facilities are not available on-site, lunch bags must be pre-ordered.
What is West Midlands Life Sciences Week?
This region-wide celebration highlights the depth and breadth of life sciences in the West Midlands. From diagnostics and medtech to advanced therapeutics, the week showcases sector strengths, drives collaboration, and champions innovation that improves lives and fuels economic growth.
Medilink Midlands Innovation Day is proud to be a key feature in this week of activity.
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Mezzanine Level
11:00 – 12:00
Workshop: Accelerating Rehabilitation Technology Innovation in the Midlands
Join this session to discover the opportunities for innovators in rehabilitation technologies space in the Midlands. Hear directly from speakers from three major programmes Prof John Hunt (Lead of EMERGE RehabTech), Prof Dan Clark (Co-director of NIHR HRC for Rehabilitation) and Alison Wildt (Innovation Lead, National Rehabilitation Centre) as they outline how their initiatives support commercial innovation through funding, partnerships, and access to healthcare systems.
The session will cover:
- Insights from leading Midlands based programmes on how they support rehabilitation technology innovation and contribute to the wider rehab tech ecosystem.
- An interactive discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing rehab tech innovators and how these initiatives can help support your growth.
Delivered by EMERGE RehabTech Impact Accelerator
12:30 – 13:00
Workshop: Supplying into the NHS: are you prepared?
Delivered by Health Innovation East Midlands & Pd-m
13:30 – 13:00
Workshop: How to build an investor-ready IP portfolio
Your intellectual property (IP) portfolio is a powerful asset, but are you using it to its full potential? In just 30 minutes, we’ll cut through the jargon and get straight to what matters most to investors. Join Medilink Midlands Patron and event sponsor, Adamson Jones for a fast-paced workshop to learn how to transform your IP from a legal afterthought into a core driver of value and a powerful tool for securing investment.
The session will cover:
- What do investors look for in an IP portfolio
- Building value in your IP portfolio
- Minimising risk for investors
Delivered by event sponsor: Adamson Jones
14:00 – 14:30
Workshop: Think Before You Click: Cybersecurity Best Practices for Everyday Work
Join Innovation Day event sponsor, Creative Networks for a practical and engaging workshop designed to empower you with the knowledge and skills to protect yourself and your organisation from common online threats. This isn’t a technical deep dive; it’s a quick, interactive session focused on real-world best practices you can apply immediately.
The session will cover:
- Introduction & Awareness: Key Message: “Most breaches happen due to human error, not technology failure.”
- Interactive Activity: sample emails – find the phishing / compromising email
- Best Practices Recap: Quick-fire Do’s and Don’ts
- Q&A Session: Open the floor & wrap up
Delivered by event sponsor: Creative Networks
14:30 – 15:00
Workshop: AI, Data and the Law: Strategic Legal Insights for Life Sciences Innovators using or creating AI systems
An overview into the evolving regulatory landscape and legal contractual issues surrounding artificial intelligence in the life sciences sector. As AI continues to transform drug discovery, medical devices, diagnostics, and clinical trials, innovators face complex challenges around, regulatory compliance, data privacy, intellectual property and liability. This session will equip attendees with strategic legal insights to navigate these issues confidently.
The session will cover:
- AI and contracting: Whether you’re developing AI tolls or integrating them into your operations, what are the important legal issues that arise in the legal terms for agreements when contracting for AI.
- AI governance: Navigating the MHRA approach and EU approach including for AI as a medical device.
- Data licensing for training/ testing or running AI systems – what to watch out for.
- Data protection compliance in relation to AI.
- Q&A
Delivered by event sponsor: Penningtons Manches Cooper
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Our popular and sell-out exhibition stands are available for booking.
To secure your 2mx3m stand please see details and booking information below:
- All exhibitors must complete this Booking Form.
- Ensure you have read our terms and conditions before completing and returning all paperwork
Costs (excluding electricity):
Standard Expo Stand
£675 plus VAT for Medilink Members
£900 plus VAT for non-members
Poseur Expo Stand
£300 plus VAT for Medilink Members
£450 plus VAT for non-members
Complete and return your booking information to: [email protected].
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To view the full gallery of photos taken at the Medilink Midlands Innovation Day 2024 by Peter Nutkins, click here.
If any photos are used for own use, please endorse Medilink Midlands and Nutkins UK Ltd, or if on social media, please tag the following accounts:
LinkedIn
Medilink Midlands
Peter Nutkins
Twitter
@MedilinkMids