Register now for BioWales 2015

Now in its 13th year, the dynamic, international programme for 2015 will focus on the life sciences supply chain, providing practical commercial opportunities for growth through novel routes to market in the private sector and NHS.

Registration for the Early Bird rate is open until Monday, 22 December 2014.  The Dragon’s Den style pitches will return in 2015, providing the opportunity to pitch your company or idea to a line-up of investors and venture capitalists.

Further information and full details of the sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are available on the website.

The Wales Life Sciences Investment Fund announces 6th investment since launch The Wales Life Sciences Investment Fund managed by Arthurian Life Sciences has entered into a partnership with one of the leading medtech firms in the US, Interrad Medical Inc., the Minneapolis-based developer and manufacturer of the unique SecurAcath®, a device for securing catheters in hospital patients. The 6th investment since launch, the Fund has made a £3 million investment in Interrad Medical Inc.  The Company will establish its European headquarters in Cardiff. Read more details on the fund.

Essentra new centre Global packaging company Essentra have officially launched its new state of the art facility in the Newport. The new 52,000 sq ft purpose built packaging manufacturing facility at Imperial Park, Newport, was backed by £290,000 business finance from the Welsh Government, and has created nearly twenty new jobs with Welsh Government support. The company is one of six new inward investment projects announced yesterday by the First Minister which between them are creating more than 1100 new jobs. Read more

Medica atrracts largest ever Welsh Contingent The four day Medica event attracted more than 4600 exhibitors, 132,000 trade visitors with 53 % from countries outside of Europe. This year at Dusseldorf, 87 delegates participated from Wales - the largest contingent to date – using the occasion to launch new products to an international audience, meet existing clients, make new contacts, appoint distributors, win new business and promote goods and services globally. Welsh Government once again sponsored a Welsh pavilion in the International Hall, and a stand in the Diagnostics Hall. Read more

Mackworth Healthcare wins new high volume export orders During November’s Export Week, a Bridgend company specialising in designing and manufacturing slings and hoists for moving and handling patients celebrated winning its first export orders from Australia and Spain. Read more

BBI Healthcare moves to expand

BBI Healthcare’s move into larger premises has been welcomed by Economy Minister Edwina Hart. She said  it would secure the long term future growth of the business on Pencoed Technology Park.

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PCI adds to acquisition of Penn Pharma with Biotec

Packaging Coordinators Inc. (PCI), the healthcare industry packaging provider, has acquired Biotec Services International (Biotec) of Bridgend, a leading provider of clinical trial services and temperature controlled pharmaceutical.  PCI also recently acquired Tredegar-based Penn Pharma, adding pharmaceutical development and contained manufacturing services to its portfolio of Clinical Trial Services, Commercial packaging, and Laboratory services.

The acquisition of both businesses further expands PCI’s growing presence in outsourced partnership solutions for drug development and commercialisation and increases PCI’s overall presence in Wales.

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£10 million prize fund launches

Following a national competition the problem of global antibiotic resistance was chosen as the winning Longitude Prize challenge for 2014. The £10 million prize fund to help solve one of the greatest issues of our time is open for submissions and now is your chance to get involved.

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Life Sciences companies win at Insider Awards

At The Insider's Business and Education Partnerships Awards 2014, held at Cardiff City Hall on 5 November, two Life Science companies walked away with awards.

Medaphor won in two categories: Commercialisation Award - for their ScanTrainer simulators used in medical schools around the world, and the recent launch of the transabdominal ultrasound simulator.  Investment Award - Medaphor raised £4.7m by floating on AIM, London's junior market. Its success was driven by work with Cardiff University and the University Hospital of Wales.

Asalus won the New Product Award for their Ultravision surgical instrument, a keyhole surgery device which clears smoke generated in some operations.

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Norgine long-term investment in Hengoed site

Construction of Norgine’s new pharmaceutical warehouse has commenced and is expected to be fully operational September 2015. The multi-million pound construction demonstrates Norgine’s confidence in the future of the Hengoed site which is designed to meet all pharmaceutical regulations for storing components for the manufacture of medicinal products.

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Chromogenex receives funding from US investor

Chromogenex Holdings, based in Llanelli has raised money from a US medical technology investor for the next stage of its growth plan.

The developer and manufacturer of laser and intense pulse light systems has raised the funds from Squadron Capital, a US investment company from Connecticut and funded by a Chicago-based trust.

International digital health experts to attend UK Innovation Conference

Internationally renowned digital health experts are set to attend a three day open innovation conference in the UK.  Digital Health Assembly: Open Innovation will take place from 10-12 February 2015 at the SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff and is expected to welcome delegates from the digital health community worldwide.

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Life Sciences Hub Wales

Life Sciences Hub Wales welcomed their 1000th visitor in October following a busy 3 months since launch in July.  Coming soon – Events calendar for 2015, new events layout, new website and desk booking solution.

For more information on the Life Sciences Hub Wales visit their website and email the Hub to sign up to the mailing list.

Follow us on @WG_economy

You can now stay up-to-date and engage with Welsh Government’s department for Economy, Science and Transport by following us on our new Twitter page.