Global Growth: Life Science Opportunities in the UK

The UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT), in partnership with PwC, are pleased to invite you to participate in a networking reception and information session about opportunities in the UK’s life sciences industry. Ravi Chana, DIT’s MedTech Specialist and the National Institute for Health Research’s Business Development Manager, will be in Toronto to speak with companies about opportunities for innovative Canadian companies interested in exploring the UK, including the robust research and development landscape.

Topics covered will include:

- innovation infrastructure support and funding

- the public healthcare system

- the extensive clinical trials network, covering early phase and late phase clinical research.

Please RSVP by September 24th through Eventbrite.

If you have any questions regarding the event or the UK life sciences industry, please contact Kelly White. (Kelly.white@mobile.trade.gov.uk).

Biographies of speakers:

Ravi Chana

Sector Specialist – MedTech, Department for International Trade

Business Development, NIHR Office for Clinical Research Infrastructure (NOCRI)

Ravi has a degree in Pharmacology and worked in the healthcare industry for over 19 years, undertaking sales, marketing, business development and heading the Health Economics and Market Access function within a Multinational Diagnostics Company. He has also been part of various working groups within the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the British In-Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA).

Over the last five years Ravi has worked as Business Development Manager at the NIHR Office for Clinical Research Infrastructure (NOCRI), which has enabled him to gain experience in working with the UK Department of Health in setting up and leading MedTech and Diagnostics Clinical Research Infrastructure. He has worked closely with leading academic and clinical experts within world-leading research institutions and NHS Trusts to initiate collaborations with Life Science companies. Ravi is also the Sector Specialist for MedTech with the UK Department for International Trade. In this role, Ravi provides support to UK MedTech companies to engage in trade opportunities outside of the UK, and supports Non-UK MedTech companies to gain access to the UK market.

Melanie Farley
PwC, Partner

Melanie Farley is a UK based Corporate Tax Partner who connects the UK and Canadian markets by leading PwC's Overseas Corporate Buyers Programme. Mel previously worked in Vancouver on secondment and remains in-market throughout the year, advising a range of clients looking to establish and expand their UK operations.

Diarmuid MacDougall
PwC, Partner

Diarmuid leads the UK firm’s R&D, grants and patent box network and assists pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients with claims for R&D relief. He is the PwC global R&D credits leader. He has over 25 years’ experience in advising on international tax, including group reorganisations, financing, acquisitions and mergers of businesses, licensing of intellectual property and transfer pricing. For many years he has assisted venture capital funded and privately owned start-ups in the biotechnology sector as well as major global life sciences businesses.