Paddington Life Sciences Symposium highlights partnerships powering the future of UK life sciences

Pictured L-R: Bob Klaber, Director of Strategy, Research and Innovation at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust; Sally Ann Frank, Global Lead for Health and Life Sciences, Microsoft for Startups; Dr Suki Balendra, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Paddington Life Sciences; Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London

WestTech London’s Paddington Life Sciences held its annual symposium last week, bringing together leaders from the NHS, academia, industry, technology, regulation and the wider community.

Co-hosted with Microsoft for Startups, the flagship event explored how stronger partnerships across sectors can improve health outcomes, accelerate research and innovation, and support economic growth.

The session was opened by Professor Tim Orchard CBE, Group Chief Executive of the North West London Acute Provider Group, and included highlight speeches from across the life sciences ecosystem.

• Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, gave a keynote speech on WestTech London and its defining role in realising the UK’s global science and innovation ambitions.
• Dr Suki Balendra PhD announced the launch of the Paddington Life Sciences Accelerator, delivered with Imperial College Health Partners, to support early-stage healthcare, technology and life sciences ventures.
• Bob Klaber, Director of Strategy, Research and Innovation at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust shared a key update on the redevelopment of St Mary’s Hospital and the opportunities it will create for patients, staff, research and innovation across North West London.
• A social value panel chaired by Jose Acuyo, with Caroline Wilson (Islington Council), Laura Dubeck (Greater London Authority) and Helen Santer (SC1 London), discussed inclusive careers, economic opportunity and collaboration.
• Lawrence Tallon, Chief Executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), explored emerging innovations including personalised medicines and AI.

Paddington Life Sciences – a partnership led by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust – sits alongside Albertopolis in South Kensington, White City Innovation District and the Old Oak Innovation Cluster at the heart of WestTech London. Together, these thriving hubs are home to more than 1,000 frontier innovation companies, generating around £9bn in annual turnover and supporting over 20,000 jobs.

With the St Mary’s redevelopment planned to deliver critical infrastructure that will enhance patient care and outcomes, Paddington Life Sciences and WestTech London are set to gain even more momentum as key drivers of UK science, innovation and economic growth.