InnoScot Health is urging award entries that celebrate outstanding individuals, teams, partnerships, and organisations making an impact across the country’s life sciences sector

Scotland’s Life Sciences Conference and Awards will return to the DoubleTree Hilton Glasgow Central on Thursday 11 March — and healthcare innovation body InnoScot Health believes relevant parties should take the opportunity to recognise vital contributions.

Supported by the Life Sciences Scotland Industry Leadership Group, the day is considered by organisers to be a prestigious platform for the country’s life sciences community “to connect, collaborate, and celebrate success” with the awards spanning nine categories as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award which recognises an “exceptional contribution to Scotland’s life sciences sector”.

Award entry submissions are now being invited through a website portal for:

• Innovation: Health Technology
• Innovative Collaboration
• Innovation: Pharma Services and Drug Discovery
• Innovation: Animal Health, AgriTech and Aquaculture
• Outstanding Skills Development
• Rising Stars: Extraordinary Talent
• Business Leadership
• Sustainability
• Global Export Impact

Further details and entry criteria are also available with entries closing on Friday 18 December.

The conference segment of the day — now in its third year — will start at 9.30am, and brings together “industry leaders, innovators, investors, researchers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers for a day of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and meaningful discussion”.

It is set to offer “thought-provoking keynote presentations, expert panel discussions, and interactive networking,” offering delegates an opportunity to “gain valuable insights into the latest innovations, emerging trends, and the ideas driving growth across the industry”.

The programme so far includes an opening keynote from MSP Ivan McKee, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform, Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak, Chief Scientist (Health) at Scottish Government chairing a session on ‘Advancing Precision Medicine Through Collaboration and Innovation’ as well as a session on ‘Innovation Spotlights: Breakthroughs Shaping The Sector’.

Last year’s conference saw InnoScot Health’s Head of Regulatory Affairs, Elaine Gemmell, speaking on one of the event’s key themes, ‘Regulatory Challenges faced by the Life Sciences industry’, and chairing a complementary regulatory panel.

The long-established black-tie awards dinner, also at the DoubleTree Hilton Glasgow Central, will commence from 6.30pm.

Head of Innovation at InnoScot Health, Robert Rea said: “With so much innovation happening in Scotland’s thriving life sciences sector, we would urge outstanding change makers working right across the country to enter the awards and gain the recognition they deserve.

“This celebratory gathering remains a highlight of Scotland’s business and innovation calendar, and being named a winner in one of its categories is a significant honour that elevates reputations and inspires further achievements.”

Mark Cook, Chair of Life Science Scotland Industrial Leadership Group, said: “Scotland’s Life Sciences Conference & Awards Dinner has become a key gathering for the sector, bringing together leaders from industry, academia, healthcare, government, investment and research to exchange ideas, build connections and explore the opportunities shaping the future of life sciences.

“The conference provides a platform for meaningful discussion, knowledge sharing and collaboration, while the Awards Dinner celebrates the exceptional people and organisations whose innovation, ambition, and achievements continue to strengthen Scotland’s position as a global leader in life sciences.”