London Life Sciences Week 2024
LLSW 2024: A Celebration of Innovation and Collaboration
London Life Sciences Week 2024 took place in November. For the first time in partnership with the BioIndustry Association, we now have a cohesive brand for London Life Sciences Week, this year’s event was certainly a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration that drives the sector. Centered around the Jefferies European Healthcare Conference which sees over 800 visitors annually, this year marked the start of an annual spotlight event for the global biotech community.
Highlights of LLSW 2024
We kicked-off the week with the Welcome to London Reception, hosted at the prestigious Bush House in central London. The life sciences community came together excited to discuss the unparalled opportunities London offers. Commencing with a welcome address from our CEO Dr Angela Kukula, we heard about the new Life Sciences Global Cities Report, placing London as the leading destination for life sciences in Europe, and the recent launch of the London Offer for Life Sciences.
We then heard from BioIndustry Association’s CEO Steve Bates OBE, who highlighted the opportunities in London through investor and government support, in particular the profound talent in London, pertaining to the number of leading global universities within the city.
London and Partners CEO Laura Citron then spoke about the strengths of the London offer, highlighting the talent, growth, and innovation in the city, including the importance of life sciences as a priority sector within the London 10-year growth plan.
The event continued with a vibrant networking evening with conversations centering on how this incredible city is primed to support life sciences innovation, growth, setting up a business in London, and improved patient outcomes.
Groundbreaking Keynotes and Panels
The week featured a series of inspiring keynotes and panels from industry leaders. The Healthcare and Life Sciences Quantum Computing Fair by IBM saw several keynotes including Hannah Boardman. Director of Emerging Technologies, Department of Science and Sabrina Maniscalco, CEO and Co-founder, Algorithmiq.
We saw a number of events held at The Francis Crick institute with speakers and panelists including Prof Michale Bronstein, Oxford University and Prof Christina Woo, Harvard University who gave insightful lectures on new frontiers in drug discovery.
The ASDC conference held talks, workshops and networking to explore how we shape the future of science. Keynotes included talks about ‘transforming tomorrow together’ with Stephen Breslin and Prof Dame Ottoline Leyser and ‘STEM for all: science in society’ by Chi Onwurah, MP.
Collaborative Investment and Funding Events
The week has been an excellent opportunity for start-ups and investors to make contact and form partnerships, with a number of investment and funding events being held across the city including the LSX Investival Showcase at Tobacco Dock, SV Health Investors Forum, RTW Investor Day and the Building an Investable Proposition Event by One Nucleaus .
All events bringing exciting panel discussions and networking, providing attendees with the tools and contacts to take their funding to the next level.
Exciting Awards Ceremonies
In celebrating life sciences true theme, the week would not be complete without a number of award ceremonies, showcasing the achievements in the industry.
We saw awards for remarkable breakthroughs, transformational investments and deals at the European Lifestars Awards, recognising the individuals, teams and organisations that have shaped the life sciences industry over the past year.
The OBN awards celebrate innovation and outstanding achievement across the industry, with twelve categories that highlight and recognise innovation, novel and exciting approaches to unmet clinical needs. The ceremony was held at the Royal Lancaster London including a drinks reception, networking and dinner. A truly fabulous evening!
Eye-opening Research and Innovation Events
The week was filled with events and talks on the latest advancements in the sector.
We heard about the implications of healthcare apps on personalised medicine and the use of remote monitoring at the BMJ Future Health day. The Francis Crick Institute held the ‘Medicine at the Crick’ event where we discussed new innovations in drug discovery, and Imperial gave guided tours of their new clinical imaging facility. Attendees got the chance to meet leading academics and view their wider facilities.
Buzzing Networking Events
There’s no better place for networking other than London, and LLSW 2024 did not disappoint, with a variety of events including the Women in Life Sciences Dinner and Networking Reception by Ropes and Gray, the Biotech Buddies London networking event and the London BIO Afternoon tea on board the HMS Wellington. With even more networking opportunities spanning across the week, LLSW attendees were able to come together with the opportunity to make new connections that could supercharge their business.
Inspiring the Next Generation Events
The next generation of researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs was not forgotten, with a number of events aimed at the younger generation including; ‘Sip of Science’ at the Francis Crick Institute, where attendees had the opportunity to talk to Crick scientists about the fascinating science of the brain. Science Live held the A-level Biology event with talks from inspiring scientists including Prof Robert Winston, Prof Dame Sue Black and Prof Sophie Scott. Topics included; ‘why we laugh’, ‘the secrets of forensic sciences’ and ‘the science of mental health’.
Looking Ahead to LLSW 2025
LLSW 2024 has proven to be a catalyst for progress in the biotech sector. The event has facilitated the exchange of ideas and knowledge, leading to new collaborations and partnerships. Startups have gained visibility and support, while established companies have found new avenues for innovation.
The global biotech community has benefited immensely from the insights and connections made during the week. Researchers have shared their latest findings, sparking new research directions. Investors have discovered promising ventures, ensuring continued funding for groundbreaking projects. The collective efforts of all participants have paved the way for advancements that will improve health outcomes worldwide.
As we look forward to London Life Sciences Week 2025, Plans are already underway to make next year’s event even more impactful.
Stay tuned for more updates and mark your calendars for LLSW 2025 – an event you won’t want to miss!
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