NanoKTN And The Wellcome Trust Collaborate On Nano 4 Life Conference, UK

Main Category: Conferences
Also Included In: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 24 Dec 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Converging Nanotechnology and the Life Science Industry
Wednesday 11th February 2009, London

The Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network (NanoKTN), one of the UK's primary knowledge-based networks for Micro and Nanotechnologies, has announced that their first Nano 4 Life event will take place on Wednesday 11th February hosted by The Wellcome Trust in London. This one-day conference and exhibition will explore the key areas within the life sciences where nanotechnology offers the most opportunity to advance healthcare provision, improve product discovery and development, and keep the UK a leading force in this exciting technology area.

The field of bionanotechnology is moving forward rapidly. There is no doubt that it will enhance our understanding of biology and how biological systems work. Nanotechnology is helping resolve some of the pharma and biotech industries' significant challenges. It has already enabled new formulations for drugs that are commercially available and there are a number of drugs in the R&D pipeline or that are in the regulatory approval stage.

"A significant number of healthcare solutions already involve nanotechnology and by organising the Nano 4 Life conference, we hope to develop a sustainable UK industry, reduce costs and bring together every part of the supply chain," explains Dr Mike Fisher, Theme Manager at the NanoKTN.

Fisher continues, "In the future, nanotechnology will enhance the drug discovery process, through miniaturisation, automation, speed and reliability of assays. The cost of developing a drug is increasing which is causing significant pressures within the industry to gain savings wherever possible. The use of nanotechnology can help bring product discovery and development costs down by improving efficiency and decreasing the risk of product failure. It is essential for researchers, medical companies and policy makers to be brought together and discuss issues and developments if we want the UK to be at the forefront of healthcare technology."

Keynote speakers include Dr Thomas Keller, from GlaxoSmithKline, Dr Rachel McKendry from the London Centre for Nanotechnology and Professor Ljeoma F. Uchegbu, Chair in Pharmaceutical Nanoscience in the School of Pharmacy at the University of London.

Nano 4 Life will be organised in partnership with The Wellcome Trust, the largest charity in the UK which spends over £600 million each year to support and promote research to improve the health of humans and animals.

The Trust funds research into all aspects of biology and medicine: from molecules and cells vital to life, through the spread of diseases or the vectors of disease across the globe, to clinical and public health research that can improve the quality of healthcare delivered to people. The Trust is interested in the development of hypothesis driven research which realises an unmet need in biomedical sciences and healthcare. The conference is an opportunity to showcase nanotechnology to the basic science community and provides an environment to catalyse new collaborations.

All sectors of the supply chain are encouraged to register for the Nano 4 Life conference including research-based pharma, biotech and medical device companies, academics, research policy makers and anyone who is interested in learning about what nanotechnology has to offer the life sciences. For more information please visit www.nanoktn.com.

Nano 4 Life will be supported by Bio Nano Consulting and the Health Technologies KTN. Established by the Technology Strategy Board, the NanoKTN is managed by Centre for Process Innovation Ltd, a leading technology development and consulting company.

About NanoKTN

The NanoKTN facilitates the transfer of knowledge and experience between industry and research, offering companies dealing in small-scale technology access to information on new processes, patents and funding as well as keeping up-to-date with industry regulation. The four broad areas that the NanoKTN focuses on are: Promoting and facilitating knowledge exchange, supporting the growth of UK capabilities, raising awareness of Nanotechnology, and providing thought leadership and input to UK policy and strategy.

About Knowledge Transfer Networks (KTNs)

KTNs have been set up by government, industry and academia to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and experience between industry and the science base. They bring together diverse organisations and provide activities and initiatives that promote the exchange of knowledge and the stimulation of innovation in these communities. The first KTNs were set up in 2005 and the network continues to grow. They are active in sectors, technologies and market-based areas and they interact strongly with the government's Technology Programme and overall technology strategy.

About CPI

The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) was established by One NorthEast as a UK wide resource to stimulate and drive innovation within the Process Industry. Working with global industry partners and leading research universities CPI is committed to delivering world-class, groundbreaking applied research and development.

About The Technology Strategy Board

The Technology Strategy Board is a business-led executive non-departmental public body, established by the government. Its role is to promote and support research into, and development and exploitation of, technology and innovation for the benefit of UK business, in order to increase economic growth and improve the quality of life.

The Technology Strategy Board

About The Wellcome Trust

The Wellcome Trust is the largest charity in the UK. It funds innovative biomedical research, in the UK and internationally, spending over £600 million each year to support the brightest scientists with the best ideas. The Wellcome Trust supports public debate about biomedical research and its impact on health and wellbeing.

The Wellcome Trust