The Isle of Man will play host to the second annual ManxBioMed Conference this week following its successful debut last year.
Attracting more than 100 delegates from all corners of the biomed industry, the two day event held at the Claremont Hotel will gather locals and visitors to ask questions, learn and view presentations on telemedicine, accelerated drug discovery, suicide prevention, Alzheimer’s trials and plastic surgery among other topics.
Laurence Skelly, MHK, Minister for Department of Economic Development will be making the opening address.
He said: ‘I’m very much looking forward to speaking at the Biomed Conference. This emerging sector is further evidence of the diverse nature of the island’s economy and I am encouraged by the interest that biomed firms from around the world are taking in the Isle of Man, which is potentially good news for further job creation locally.’
Courtenay Heading, a passionate driving force behind the industry and head of inward Investment said of the conference: ‘Earlier in the year The Department of Economic Development agreed a collaboration with the University of Manchester, to help nurture their biomed spin-outs and three of them will present their science at our Conference.
‘Our role is to bring together suitably experienced entrepreneurs, and potentially funders, to make their clever ideas real.
‘With trusted Manx skills in banking and e-business data, the island can readily transfer our skills to holding and repurposing our most trusted medical data.
‘It’s not as if we don’t have experience of putting in place sector experts and regulatory bodies who can give comfort that we take our responsibilities more than seriously.
‘Very shortly, new terms like biobanks (which hold human tissue and human data) will be common place as will bioinformatics (the analysis of biological information) to make sense of how we can live healthier, longer lives.’
The ManxBioMed Conference takes place on Thursday and Friday (11th and 12th December) and is focused on identifying those BioMed companies that are a good fit for the island and will create Manx based jobs.
The conference welcomes back repeat sponsors global advisors KPMG, low cost drug producer PlantForm of Canada and local software development company Webtech Limited.
Additionally Wi-Manx are sponsoring specific aspects of interest and SMP Partners are sponsoring the Bun and Business event on Friday, which will conclude this year’s conference.
Wi-Manx says it has been selected to represent the data and telecoms industry at the event.
Wi-Manx managing director and biomed enthusiast Joe Hughes said of the emerging sector: ‘It’s a real honour to be asked to represent the Isle of Man data scene at this exciting time because both the island and Wi-Manx are uniquely positioned to play our part in this healthcare revolution.
‘Broadly speaking, the data lifecycle encompasses various stages from data collection to secure transport to storage and then on to analysis and archiving – from both mobile and internet connected devices.
‘The ability to make this data available to partners and practitioners, through APIs and portals is also a key consideration.
‘Partnering with Wi-Manx ensures you are working with a team of experts focused on a holistic approach to a problem, rather than specific technology areas.
‘The convergence of technology and healthcare is not a new development, without question – technology has improved diagnosis, treatment and ultimately patient outcomes.
‘The crown jewel at the heart of this revolution is the data, and the innovative technologies collecting and analysing this data.
‘Away from the data itself, the Isle of Man has a strong value proposition.
‘Through its world class manufacturing sector, the island can coordinate the design and creation of these devices.
‘Its robust data protection and intellectual property laws can provide the necessary frameworks, comfort and security to patients, healthcare practitioners, authorities and service providers.
‘This business environment, coupled with our agile, forward thinking Government can also provide the springboard for any business looking to enter new markets with a strong footing’.
Mr Hughes concluded: ‘Overall, the Isle of Man is seen to be at the forefront of this revolution. It is exciting times for the island, and like many other conference attendees, I have a real belief all of the topics being discussed will improve healthcare and ultimately patient outcomes.’
Joe Hughes and Elissa Morris will be at the conference.
They will be fielding questions regarding bio data, secure hosting and engaging with delegates interested in the Isle of Man’s proposition.
Highlights at the conference are set to include a keynote speech from top businessman Jim Mellon.
Mr Mellon, who is thought ot employ hundreds of people through his businesses, is a keen advocate of technology and life sciences.
He has written a new book – called Fast Forward – with co-author Al Chalabi, examining the state of industry, technology and demographics around the world.
Mr Mellon is the controlling shareholder and chairman of Manx Financial Corporation, and a controlling shareholder of Plethora Plc, a property business, as well as of Webis Holdings. He is a co-founder of the mining groups Uramin and Red Dragon Resources. His private company, Burnbrae, is a substantial landlord in Germany and the Isle of Man, and owns the hotel chain Sleepwell Hotels.
Mr Mellon is also a director of Summit Plc, Port Erin Plc, and Condor Gold Plc, all London-listed companies
For more information visit the website
www.manxbiomed.im
or contact Courtenay Heading. Courtenay@manxbiomed.im