Health & Life Science expert support with developing, commercialising and understanding the innovation funding landscape

Taking place across 5 days between 11th - 24th September, this cohort programme is aimed to support Health & Life Sciences organisations to innovate and grow. The series of workshops will provide access to experts to assist with developing, commercialising and understanding the innovation funding landscape.

Day 1 & 2 - Understanding Your Business (11th & 12th Sept)

This two-day workshop is designed to allow organisations to think strategically and develop a plan for innovation and growth over a three-to-five-year period, with annual objective setting. It will also take the business through how to claim back R&D taxes and investigate intellectual property and the different types of Innovation protection.

The attendees will be able to gain overview understanding on:

• Development of a 3-5 year strategic business plan
• Understanding R&D taxes
• Understand intellectual property and how to protect it

Day 3 - Regulatory Framework (17th Sept)

Will provide an overview of the regulatory landscape within the HealthTech sector, with a specific focus on UK and EU regulations. From the stages an organisation needs to go through for approvals, regulatory requirements in design, to post market requirements to maintain products on the UK/EU market, the session will enable organisations to take a proactive approach to tracking and monitoring the regulatory landscape and to understand the impact on their organisation. 

The attendees will be able to gain overview understanding on:

• The evolving regulatory landscape in UK/EU market for medical devices.
• General principle of classification rules and different approval route to bring products to market
• Key regulatory principles in medical devices design and development
• Post market responsibilities to maintain medical device products on the UK /EU market

Day 4 - Accessing the NHS (18th Sept)

This workshop is aimed at organisations looking to access the NHS and Local Authority procurement. The workshop will cover: NHS Landscape, NHS Procurement Conundrum Local Authority Procurement, Health Literacy and How to succeed in the NHS Market. This session will provide an overview of several routes to accessing the NHS (with innovation/solutions).

The attendees will be able to gain overview understanding on:

• GM healthcare landscape and priorities
• Access to the NHS and GM healthcare system
• Importance of communication with patients, public & NHS staff
• Lived Experiences
• Health Literacy (broad)
• Route to NHS market via procurement
• Techniques to address NHS procurement
• Insight into successful case studies
• Explain their value to the NHS (and local healthcare) market
• The importance of considering social value, sustainability, health economics

Day 5 - Investment Readiness (24th Sept)

To conclude the cohort sessions, day five will include: Overview of Investment and Investor Engagement – A full guide of how to interact with the Investor and what organisations will need to provide. Investor Deck Preparation – A tried and tested methodology for the perfect pitch deck, Investor Pitch Preparation – An interactive session to refine the pitch to hook (secure) the investment, Funding Opportunities.

The workshop will conclude with an in-person pitch event to a host of UK top health sector investors.

The attendees will be able to gain overview understanding on:

• General overview of investment
• How to engage with investors
• How to write an investor deck
• Opportunity to pitch your company to investors

Eligibility Criteria:

This cohort / series of workshops is aimed at Health and Life Sciences organisations and those developing products and services for this sector. Organisations & Individuals should be trading in Greater Manchester.

Our Deliverers:

CPI:

Damian Mohammed - North West Strategic Partnerships

Damian has been supporting regional initiatives for the past 20 years, most recently working for CPI, part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult; he has helped to drive impact for health and life sciences innovation ecosystems across North West. His knowledge of both private and public funding landscapes enables him to guide companies towards exceeding expectations in delivering innovative solutions alongside strong partnerships with academia, industry and local government.
Further details can be found at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianmohammed/

Dr Alex Cole – Director of Market Strategy

Alex gained a PhD in solid state physics from the University of Leeds and then went into photovoltaics and medical devices before joining CPI around 10 years ago. In his current role, he leads the Catapult’s strategic function which looks at market trends and analysis to support CPI and the wider UK ecosystem. He has recently led multi-million pound programmes to support companies with funding and training in medical device/diagnostics regulation. These programmes included engaging with over 600 stakeholders to understand needs and challenges which has resulted in position papers being produced which have influenced UK, devolved and regional governments growth strategies.
Further details can be found at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-cole-7772179/

Eve Han - HealthTech Regulatory Lead

Eve Han joined CPI in 2023 . In her current role, Eve provides regulatory guidance for the design and development of innovative medical devices. Her career spans over a decade in the medical device industry across product development, quality and regulatory affairs. She has successfully supported launch of medical device products, and acquired a comprehensive understanding of the product lifecycle, including R&D, manufacturing, post market sales and distribution. Eve has a Master's degree in Analytical and Pharmaceutical Science from Loughborough University and certifications in Lean Six Sigma, ISO9001, ISO13485, and ISO/IEC 17025 from renowned institutions.

Further details can be found at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yiqing-eve-han/

Ian Smith – Head of Investor Partnerships

Ian joined CPI in 2017. Leading the Investor Engagement function of CPI Enterprises, Ian’s focus is on the Deep-tech investor community and ecosystem aligned to CPIs capabilities and offerings. Developing relationships supporting CPI, Investors, deep-tech companies and technologies and the associated stakeholders to maximise impact for all concerned is at the core of Ian’s day to day. Ian has a PhD in Chemistry from Durham University, a MSc from Cranfield University, and a BSc from King’s College London. Additionally, Ian has over 10 years of entrepreneurial experience running a company that made sales and implemented projects across the globe.
Further details can be found at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-smith-a23085137/

Tom Hillier - Investment Associate

Tom joined in 2020 following time working in other areas of CPI including performance, impact and strategic marketing. Within his role at CPI Enterprises, he is involved in the direct investment activities from identification and evaluation of opportunities to the execution of investment into high-growth potential deep-tech businesses. CPI Enterprises invests in companies aligned with CPI’s strategy and technical capabilities which include health and life sciences. Tom has been involved in the investment and support of CPI Enterprises portfolio companies such as QV Bioelectronics and Qkine. Alongside this, he works with management teams to provide funding support and signposting to the wider innovation and investment ecosystem. Tom graduated from the University of York with a Masters Degree in Environment, Economics and Ecology with a specialisation in Corporate Social Responsibility, before exploring different industries including automotive and auditing ahead of his move into CPI.

Further details can be found at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-hillier-443454107/

Neville Slack - SME Funding Support Officer

Neville is SME Funding Support Officer at CPI Enterprises, with over 15 years’ experience within CPI, he has been involved in numerous SME supporting projects ranging CPIs full capability offering including Healthtech and life sciences. Within his role at CPI Enterprises, he is involved in the support of SMEs in terms of their technology and funding roadmap together with identifying potential longer-term opportunities with respect to investors and CPI’s continued support. Leading the funding support offering, Neville has vast experience at helping companies identifying the right funding at the right time. Alongside this, he works within the High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVMC) eco-system supporting UK SME’s and the wider UK economy.

Further details can be found at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neville-slack-aa530b/

Bionow:

Nick Allen (FCIPS) - Industry Procurement Advisor

Nick has over 30 years procurement experience in both private and public sectors. Originally a Mechanical Engineer in Wirral, then a Process Engineer in South Africa, he brings a wealth of knowledge around procurement. Buying Copper on the London metal Exchange (LME), electronic components from the Far East, Plastics from various types and array of suppliers. Cradle to grave understanding and also visionary with regards future procurement processes. Now Industry Procurement Adviser for Health Innovation Manchester (an Academic Health Science System), Nick is passionate about helping SME’s break into the NHS and supporting health and wealth in local economies. Nick is also a Fellow of the Institute of Procurement & Supply, he is keen to explore how procurement is going to shape in its outlook and embrace new changes, which he says, he wants to be very much a part of.
Further details can be found at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-allen-fcips-chartered-professional-0643b615/

Sig Mikladal - Senior Programme Development Lead – Industry & Commercial Partnerships

With a proven track record in spearheading innovation and project management across healthcare and technology sectors, Sig brings over a decade of experience to the table. As Senior Programme Development Lead at Health Innovation Manchester, Sig leads initiatives addressing local healthcare challenges while supporting Integrated Care Systems. This includes leading local Greater Manchester implementation of national initiatives focused on Innovator Support for Spread & Adoption of innovations. Previously, as an Entrepreneur and at TRUSTECH and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Sig pioneered project development in next-gen hospital solutions, including 5G implementation. With a background spanning from Aviation software solutions to medical devices and self-harm mitigation training, Sig brings a wealth of expertise to every project, ensuring impactful outcomes and driving positive change.

Further details can be found at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sigurdmikladal/

Dr Paul Hanmer - Programme Manager for Health Innovation Manchester's Office of Life Science commission

Paul holds a Ph.D and has 30+ years in the Life Science Sector, working in both industry and the NHS. Initially an academic researcher at the University of Kent and the Royal Institution of Great Britain, he moved to commercial R&D where he patented a number of innovations. A move to the NHS nearly two decades ago saw him managing a business incubator for medical technology startup companies based on NHS intellectual property. Working for Health Innovation Manchester since its inception as Greater Manchester Academic Health Science Network, Paul specialises in assisting life science SMEs with the development of innovative good and services for the benefit of NHS patients. A key project is the Innovation Nexus, which serves as a vital bridge between innovative products and services and the NHS. Paul leads a team of seasoned advisors bringing expertise across various aspects of working with the NHS and innovation. From trials, evaluation, and market needs analysis to procurement and adoption, they guide businesses in progressing their innovations and engaging effectively with the NHS.
Further details can be found at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phanmer/