BioCap conference showcased life sciences companies in the North

The unique BioCap conference organised by Bionow, a not for profit membership organisation for the biomedical / life-sciences industry, was a great success, combining the forces of science and financial investment enabling businesses from all over the North to secure essential funding.

Life science and biotechnology companies from across the North pitched to investors at the BioCap Conference including Spectromics, a spin out from the University of Manchester, which was formed this year. Neil Butler CEO at Spectromics spoke of the technology that will provide a 10 minute test that can be carried out at the Point-of-Prescription, telling the healthcare worker whether the patient has a bacterial infection and if so what antibiotics will be most efficacious.

Declan Service, MD at Innovenn Ltd who have premises in York, spoke of how the newly acquired Labskin, a living skin equivalent model, would be in production this year. The product has been used by the likes of L’Oreal, GlaxoSmithKline, Procter & Gamble and Reckitt Benckiser, and meets the European regulatory requirements for no animal testing for cosmetic products delivered into Europe.

BioCap which had 160 pre-registered delegates is the only specialist life science investment and showcase conference in the North of England and is aimed at highlighting the wealth of life science investment opportunities. The conference was addressed by keynote speaker, Jon Moulton, Managing Partner of Better Capital, who highlighted that from an investor’s perspective the difference between good and bad in Biotech is “very hard to pick.”

BioCap brought together international investors, companies who are seeking finance and those who have a track record of raising finance. It was hosted by Bionow, Baker Tilly and Weightmans LLP and was sponsored by Manchester Science Partnerships and Appleyard Lees.

BioCap succeeded by encouraging and developing relationships between potential partners from business enabling greater understanding of the landscape with regards to funding opportunities. The event was attended by representatives of the industry with hundreds of millions of pounds to invest representing venture capital, angels, collaborative funds and corporate finance.

Dr Geoff Davison, Chief Executive Officer of Bionow, commented:

The Conference was a great success. We had some really good companies pitch today and it is fantastic for companies to have a platform on which to showcase their products. This is the only conference of its type in the North of the UK and the event is a wonderful opportunity for developing relationships with investors and prospective business partners.

For more information about BioCap 2014 please contact Helen Williams on 07714 168020 or at [email protected].