At Discovery Park, we know that fostering innovation and collaboration is key to driving scientific and technological advancements.
Our recent activities, including the successful Innovation Summit and the launch of our new CoLab facility, highlight our ongoing efforts to create a dynamic ecosystem for innovation.
Additionally, the culmination of our Discovery Spark programme, focusing on the Femtech and Women’s Health sectors, emphasises our dedication to supporting early-stage companies, especially in this crucial but underrepresented area.
Innovation Summit 2024
Back in June, we hosted our annual Innovation Summit at Discovery Park, bringing together over 230 attendees to discuss the future of healthcare with a focus on healthy ageing. The key takeaway from the event was Kent’s strong ambition to become a leader in longevity and healthy living.
Ian Philp, founder of Age Care Technologies and a valued tenant at the park, highlighted the importance of both biomedical and societal innovations in achieving healthy ageing. He pointed out the significant economic benefits of extending healthy living, which could be worth up to £5 trillion to the UK economy.
The summit featured a range of expert speakers, including Cynthia Bullock from Innovate UK, Sally-Ann Emmas from Medicines Discovery Catapult, Martin Carpenter from NHS Kent & Medway, and Hassan Chaudhury from DATA-CAN. Their insights, along with those from other industry leaders, sparked meaningful discussions on integrated care, digital collaboration and the societal impacts of an ageing population.
Another key moment of the Summit was the unveiling of CoLab, our new shared lab space developed in partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University. CoLab is designed to support early-stage life science businesses by providing flexible bench space in a collaborative coworking environment. This facility is a crucial addition to Discovery Park, offering startups the resources and support they need to innovate and grow.
Discovery Spark programme
In mid-July, the second edition of our Discovery Spark programme concluded, marking another significant milestone for us. The seven-week growth and support programme was designed to prepare early-stage businesses for success, bringing in expert facilitators to share valuable knowledge and insights. The FemTech and Women’s Health edition featured an exceptional cohort of 11 promising companies working to close the gender health gap.
The programme was supported by Barclays Eagle Labs, NHS Kent & Medway, and Health Innovation Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
After a competitive pitch process, Minter Hormone Health, founded by nurse Lexie Minter, emerged as the winner of the Discovery Spark prize. This innovative company offers personalised healthcare services for women experiencing various hormonal health issues.
The prize package, worth over £50K, included space at Discovery Park and a suite of support services from specialist partners, Barclays Eagle Labs, Kreston Reeves, Abel + Imray, SRG, The Good Stuff and ProjectFusion.
Lexie Minter’s vision for accessible, expert care for women across the UK aligns perfectly with our mission at Discovery Park. We congratulate Minter Hormone Health once again on their well-deserved win and look forward to continuing support of their journey towards improving healthcare outcomes for women.
Looking ahead
Our commitment to fostering innovation does not end here. We are excited to announce that applications for the next edition of the Discovery Spark programme will open in mid-August, with the programme starting in October. This initiative will continue to support early-stage businesses from all science and tech sectors, helping them navigate the challenges of the healthcare industry and achieve their full potential. More information can be found on our website.
Lastly, we are delighted to welcome global contract development and manufacturing organisation Asymchem to Discovery Park this summer. Asymchem’s new manufacturing facility marks its first footprint in Europe, bringing new jobs and preserving scientific talent in the region. More details about this exciting addition to our community will be shared in our next update.
Article written by Mayer Schreiber, CEO of Discovery Park.
To find out more about Discovery Park, visit www.discovery-park.co.uk.
