Biomaterials Translation Workshop 2026

Introduction:

This free workshop is organised with the kind sponsorship from RSC Biomaterials Chemistry Group, Pankhurst Advanced Materials in Medicine, Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Catalyst and Manchester Institute of Biotechnology.

It will be an in-person event held at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and will include presentation by specialists in the field of biomaterials translation.

This event is targeted at Early Career Researchers (PDRA and PhD) in the field of biomaterials and related disciplines and will include poster and rapid-fire presentation competitions with prizes. The workshop will close with a drink reception.

Registration is free for members of the organising and sponsoring groups and academic ECRs with places allocated on a first-come first-served bases.

Preliminary programme:

09:30 Registration, Posters set-up & Coffee

Session Chair: Rebekah Kay (University of Manchester)

09:55 Prof Alberto Saiani (University of Manchester) Welcome

10:00 Prof Ipsita Roy (Sheffield University) "PHAsT, An experience of spinning out a new company"

10:30 Dr Ian Lafferty (Upperton Pharmaceutics Solutions) "Route from Biomaterials Research to GMP Clinical Supply - A CDMO approach"

11:00 Coffee break & Posters

Session Chair: Alfred Corrigan (Manchester University)

11:30 Prof Steve Rannard (University of Liverpool) "Translation of academic health care research: A tale of three approaches"

12:00 Dr Daniel Healy (Founder - LanthaGen Bio) "from Bench to Business: lessons from building LanthaGen Bio"

12:30 Dr James Gibbons (Northern Gritstone) "Investing in Lifescience Spinouts"

13:00 Lunch break

Session Chair: Nazzar Nasser (University of Manchester)

14:00 Prof Jason Wong (University of Manchester) "Challenges translating from a surgeon's perspective"

14:30 Dr Agnieszka Janeczek (Renovos) "RENOVITE nanoclay – navigating the early stages of translating a novel biomaterial

15:00 Dr Elliott Jennings (University of Manchester Innovation Factory, University of Manchester) "Supporting the Journey from Lab to Market"

15:30 Coffee break & Posters prize votingTil

Session Chair: Abdulwahhab Khedr (University of Manchester)

16:00 Rapid fire presentations competition

16:45 Oral prize voting and Award ceremony

17:00 Closing remarks & Drinks

Organising committee:

Prof Alberto Saiani / Dr Christos Tapeinos / Dr Mohamed Elsawy

Rebekah Kay / Abdulwahhab Khedr / Alfred Corrigan / Hesham Elashmouny / Saarah Mazhar / Nazar Nasser

Division of Ph*rm*cy and Optometry and Manchester Institute of Biotechnology

University of Manchester

Contact details:

Prof Alberto Saiani: [email protected]