Showcasing industry-academic collaboration at Yorkshire Bio-Partnering 2025

There was a real buzz back at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford for the 4th annual Yorkshire Bio-Partnering conference, an event Bionow hosts in partnership with the University of Bradford. This year’s event saw 85 delegates come together to hear about the benefits of industry-academic collaboration, exciting spinout companies and technological innovations originating in Yorkshire.
 
The agenda covered a variety of topics, including industry and academic engagement, regional opportunities, a city of culture session, a technology showcase and two rounds of lightning pitches from promising start-ups as well as the sharing of funding strategies from experts in the region and sector.
 
Speaking on the benefits of strengthening connections in the region from different perspectives were two keynotes, presented by Mercia’s Venture Capital Investment Manager, Ruth Coleman and Tracy Brabin, the Mayor of West Yorkshire.
 
The first keynote, by Ruth Coleman, echoed the event’s theme of collaboration by examining partnerships and Mercia’s role in facilitating them. As one of the most active venture capital firms in the UK, Mercia fosters connections by developing relationships with the Founders and Executive Teams of the companies they support, working with a network of experienced growth partners and senior executives, and sharing resources, insights and experiences at dedicated events.
 
With a focus in the health and life sciences sector, it was noted that the market is strong, with investment increasing to £2.9bn 2024, and the UK still leading Europe in life sciences investment, making up about 37% of all European life science VC capital​. Regionally, hubs like Yorkshire and the Northwest are rising, with investment share up from 4% to 10% in 2024​, and university spinouts being identified as a target for investment, with 55% in life sciences and healthcare.
 
The second presentation by Mayor Tracy Brabin chose the conference to make an exciting announcement about the launch of a £160 million Investment Zone with new support to fuel the growth and market expansion of hundreds of healthtech firms in West Yorkshire. This is the first of a series of investments aimed at supporting the sector, as overall improving health is a key aim of the mayor as a key driver of economic growth.
 
Three innovation sites will facilitate expansion and collaboration across the region: the Digital Health Enterprise Zone at the University of Bradford, the National Health Innovation Campus at the University of Huddersfield and the Leeds Innovation Village at the site of Leeds General Infirmary.
 
The region’s £4.5 million Healthtech Accelerator will also provide intensive support and masterclasses for up to 240 businesses over the next four years, helping them to navigate regulations, break into new markets, and overcome barriers to growth. The scheme could leverage £220 million of investment and create 2,500 jobs over the next five years.
 
New at the conference for 2025, the Start-Up Zone Lightning Pitches showcased new and innovative companies entering the sector, with presentations on antibody-based cancer therapies, research commercialisation opportunities, synthetic biology IP protection, mitochondrial screening, smart materials and advanced period products all demonstrating their innovations, to name a few!
 
Bionow’s Membership Manager for the North East & Yorkshire, David Holmes commented: “This year’s Yorkshire Bio-Partnering event had a great atmosphere and a strong turnout, and it was exciting to see so many valuable connections being made. The agenda was particularly strong this year, with insightful talks, engaging discussions, productive meetings, and excellent networking opportunities, plus some great lightning pitches from exciting new companies and the launch of a major new wave of support for companies in the region. We’re excited to see the future collaborations and innovations that will emerge from this event!”