
European Mediscience Awards
Thursday 16 June 2022, Hotel InterContinental, London W1
The shortlist is announced
About
Showcasing achievement and success in the UK and European healthcare, biotech, pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors
The European Mediscience Awards is now in its 20th year, having been held every year since inception in 2002*. The event is the largest annual gathering of private and publicly quoted healthcare, biotech and life sciences companies in Europe. Bringing together the best of European mediscience companies to celebrate achievement and recognise success, it is the must-attend event for anybody working in this sector.
Each year sees the attendance of over 500 quoted and private UK and European life sciences companies and their corporate advisers, analysts, fund managers, commentators and peers. The event is sold out from one year to the next.
The European Mediscience Awards 2022 will take place on Thursday 16 June at the Hotel InterContinental, London,W1.
*with the exception of 2020 when we were unable to hold a live event due to COVID-19, but instead held a successful digital campaign.
Contact us
Sponsors
For more than 35 years, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) has helped innovative businesses, enterprises and their investors move bold ideas forward, fast. SVB provides a range of targeted financial services and expertise through its office in the UK. With commercial and international banking services, SVB helps address the unique needs of innovators. The UK’s leading technology and life science businesses, in all stages of development, look to SVB’s niche expertise, experience and unparalleled network as they grow at home and tackle new markets abroad.
Learn more at:
Mainline sponsor:
For more than 35 years, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) has helped innovative businesses, enterprises and their investors move bold ideas forward, fast. SVB provides a range of targeted financial services and expertise through its office in the UK. With commercial and international banking services, SVB helps address the unique needs of innovators. The UK’s leading technology and life science businesses, in all stages of development, look to SVB’s niche expertise, experience and unparalleled network as they grow at home and tackle new markets abroad.
Learn more at:
Bryan, Garnier & Co is a full-service independent investment banking partnership founded in 1996. The firm provides equity research, sales and trading, M&A advisory and private / public capital raising services for growth-focused companies in Technology, Healthcare, Consumer and Business Services sectors. Bryan, Garnier & Co is headquartered in London, with approx. 200 people spread across 9 offices in 8 different countries and has one of the largest dedicated healthcare teams in Europe (including London).
Bryan, Garnier & Co is a fully registered broker-dealer authorized and regulated by the FCA in the UK, the AMF in Europe and the FINRA in the U.S.
Bryan, Garnier & Co is a full-service independent investment banking partnership founded in 1996. The firm provides equity research, sales and trading, M&A advisory and private / public capital raising services for growth-focused companies in Technology, Healthcare, Consumer and Business Services sectors. Bryan, Garnier & Co is headquartered in London, with approx. 200 people spread across 9 offices in 8 different countries and has one of the largest dedicated healthcare teams in Europe (including London).
Bryan, Garnier & Co is a fully registered broker-dealer authorized and regulated by the FCA in the UK, the AMF in Europe and the FINRA in the U.S.
Consilium Strategic Communications is an established global leader in strategic healthcare communications and investor relations advisory with operations in London, mainland Europe and the US. Consilium’s specialist team represents a broad range of companies spanning the global healthcare sector and provides strategic, long-term PR and IR advice to companies, funds and charities. Operating with Boards, senior decision makers and executives, we work in partnership with our clients to translate complex healthcare situations into meaningful communications programmes that deliver sustained results, inspire action and build value.
Consilium Strategic Communications is an established global leader in strategic healthcare communications and investor relations advisory with operations in London, mainland Europe and the US. Consilium’s specialist team represents a broad range of companies spanning the global healthcare sector and provides strategic, long-term PR and IR advice to companies, funds and charities. Operating with Boards, senior decision makers and executives, we work in partnership with our clients to translate complex healthcare situations into meaningful communications programmes that deliver sustained results, inspire action and build value.
FTI Consulting has built an unrivalled, global strategic communications offering to life science and healthcare companies. Our large team of life sciences and healthcare specialists has the breadth and depth of experience, in pharmaceuticals, biotech, medical devices, digital health and healthcare services, to help you ensure that the right message reaches the right audience at the right time.
We take a holistic view, helping clients, ranging from top-10 global pharmaceutical and medical device companies to small start-ups, to develop and defend their reputations; seek to attract and retain the best talent; navigate and inform health and policy agendas; and steady themselves for moments of change or periods of growth.
In recent years, the team has advised on over $200 billion of sector M&A, IPOs and fundraisings; developing and delivering digital and social media strategies to meet growing sector demand; internal change communication after transactions; market preparedness and product launch communications; clinical and regulatory milestone communications; corporate messaging and public affairs.
www.fticonsulting-emea.com/industries/healthcare-and-life-sciences
FTI Consulting has built an unrivalled, global strategic communications offering to life science and healthcare companies. Our large team of life sciences and healthcare specialists has the breadth and depth of experience, in pharmaceuticals, biotech, medical devices, digital health and healthcare services, to help you ensure that the right message reaches the right audience at the right time.
We take a holistic view, helping clients, ranging from top-10 global pharmaceutical and medical device companies to small start-ups, to develop and defend their reputations; seek to attract and retain the best talent; navigate and inform health and policy agendas; and steady themselves for moments of change or periods of growth.
In recent years, the team has advised on over $200 billion of sector M&A, IPOs and fundraisings; developing and delivering digital and social media strategies to meet growing sector demand; internal change communication after transactions; market preparedness and product launch communications; clinical and regulatory milestone communications; corporate messaging and public affairs.
www.fticonsulting-emea.com/industries/healthcare-and-life-sciences
Instinctif Partners is an international business communications consultancy. Our global Life Sciences practice focuses on enhancing the value proposition for companies seeking investment, partnerships or customers. We work with clients to communicate their science and innovation to key stakeholders through the most relevant channels. We have specialist expertise and decades of experience in corporate, financial, healthcare and marketing communications, integrating visual and written communications with strategic counsel to deliver high impact programmes. Clients range from start-ups to multinationals, served from our headquarters in London with additional support from our sector specialists in Europe, Africa and MENA.
Instinctif Partners is an international business communications consultancy. Our global Life Sciences practice focuses on enhancing the value proposition for companies seeking investment, partnerships or customers. We work with clients to communicate their science and innovation to key stakeholders through the most relevant channels. We have specialist expertise and decades of experience in corporate, financial, healthcare and marketing communications, integrating visual and written communications with strategic counsel to deliver high impact programmes. Clients range from start-ups to multinationals, served from our headquarters in London with additional support from our sector specialists in Europe, Africa and MENA.
The LifeSci Partners platform includes the following businesses, dedicated exclusively to the Life Sciences space: LifeSci Advisors (Investor Relations), LifeSci Venture (VC fund), LifeSci Capital (FINRA/SEC licensed investment bank), LifeSci Consulting (transactions, business development and commercial strategy advisory), LifeSci Search (board & C-suite executive search), LifeSci Associates (on-demand C-suite talent), LifeSci Communications (public relations, marketing, scientific & medical communications) and FirstThought (Expert KOL network).
LifeSci Advisors, sitting at the heart of the LifeSci Partners platform, is a leading investor relations firm in the healthcare space. Our extensive global network of institutional, healthcare-specialist investors enables us to provide unparalleled investor access for both public and private clients – while effectively conveying their stories, improving their positioning/messaging and overall investment thesis through integrated strategic communications. Our experienced team draws from diverse Wall Street, scientific, and communications backgrounds to strategize and execute successful Investor Relations programs via our unique, cross-disciplinary service model. LifeSci Advisors has a global presence, with its headquarters in New York and teams based across the U.S, Europe, Israel, and Asia.
The LifeSci Partners platform includes the following businesses, dedicated exclusively to the Life Sciences space: LifeSci Advisors (Investor Relations), LifeSci Venture (VC fund), LifeSci Capital (FINRA/SEC licensed investment bank), LifeSci Consulting (transactions, business development and commercial strategy advisory), LifeSci Search (board & C-suite executive search), LifeSci Associates (on-demand C-suite talent), LifeSci Communications (public relations, marketing, scientific & medical communications) and FirstThought (Expert KOL network).
LifeSci Advisors, sitting at the heart of the LifeSci Partners platform, is a leading investor relations firm in the healthcare space. Our extensive global network of institutional, healthcare-specialist investors enables us to provide unparalleled investor access for both public and private clients – while effectively conveying their stories, improving their positioning/messaging and overall investment thesis through integrated strategic communications. Our experienced team draws from diverse Wall Street, scientific, and communications backgrounds to strategize and execute successful Investor Relations programs via our unique, cross-disciplinary service model. LifeSci Advisors has a global presence, with its headquarters in New York and teams based across the U.S, Europe, Israel, and Asia.
MC Services is an international Public Relations and Investor Relations firm specializing in communications for the Life Sciences sector. A strong team of science, finance, media and communications experts with extensive industry experience positions MC Services as a leading Life Sciences agency in Europe.
MC Services’ long-standing clients include international public and private companies as well as venture capitalists and investment firms. With a local presence in Munich, Düsseldorf, Berlin, London and Boston, established for many years as a link between the healthcare industry and financial markets, MC Services provides high quality services in Investor Relations, Public Relations and Financial Transactions.
MC Services is an international Public Relations and Investor Relations firm specializing in communications for the Life Sciences sector. A strong team of science, finance, media and communications experts with extensive industry experience positions MC Services as a leading Life Sciences agency in Europe.
MC Services’ long-standing clients include international public and private companies as well as venture capitalists and investment firms. With a local presence in Munich, Düsseldorf, Berlin, London and Boston, established for many years as a link between the healthcare industry and financial markets, MC Services provides high quality services in Investor Relations, Public Relations and Financial Transactions.
Panmure Gordon provides independent advice, research, solutions and execution services to UK growth and mid-cap corporates and investment companies, underpinned by long-term client relationships.
We advise some of the world’s most ambitious and successful healthcare companies and are one of the most active advisers in the market. Our deep healthcare expertise has assisted clients to IPO, raise development capital and execute successful M&A transactions.
Our clients value our breadth of sector knowledge, track record and tailored, integrated service that is relationship led and outcome driven. Our dedicated healthcare team has extensive technical knowledge of the sector, which is leveraged to better serve our clients and guide investors.
Panmure Gordon provides independent advice, research, solutions and execution services to UK growth and mid-cap corporates and investment companies, underpinned by long-term client relationships.
We advise some of the world’s most ambitious and successful healthcare companies and are one of the most active advisers in the market. Our deep healthcare expertise has assisted clients to IPO, raise development capital and execute successful M&A transactions.
Our clients value our breadth of sector knowledge, track record and tailored, integrated service that is relationship led and outcome driven. Our dedicated healthcare team has extensive technical knowledge of the sector, which is leveraged to better serve our clients and guide investors.
SP Angel is an independent partnership providing creative, capital markets solutions to growing companies. With an established reputation for market reach and successful execution of mandates, we have a strong track record across many key sectors including, Healthcare, Technology and Natural Resources.
SP Angel is an independent partnership providing creative, capital markets solutions to growing companies. With an established reputation for market reach and successful execution of mandates, we have a strong track record across many key sectors including, Healthcare, Technology and Natural Resources.
WG Partners is a specialist life sciences boutique. We provide our clients with corporate advisory, M&A and capital raising services. In the last decade, we have completed transactions with a total value in excess of £8 billion. Our business is 100% owned by the partners who combine more than 250 years of relevant experience. We bring a truly international perspective, acting for corporate and institutional clients across the UK, Europe, USA, Asia and Australia.
Supported by:
WG Partners is a specialist life sciences boutique. We provide our clients with corporate advisory, M&A and capital raising services. In the last decade, we have completed transactions with a total value in excess of £8 billion. Our business is 100% owned by the partners who combine more than 250 years of relevant experience. We bring a truly international perspective, acting for corporate and institutional clients across the UK, Europe, USA, Asia and Australia.

With offices in Amsterdam, Munich and Boston, LSP has successfully invested in the healthcare and biotechnology sectors for over two decades. Since its inception in the late 80s, LSP has invested in a large number of both privately held and publicly traded life science companies, many of which have become leaders in their respective industries.
Supported by:

With offices in Amsterdam, Munich and Boston, LSP has successfully invested in the healthcare and biotechnology sectors for over two decades. Since its inception in the late 80s, LSP has invested in a large number of both privately held and publicly traded life science companies, many of which have become leaders in their respective industries.
Awards
covering the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022
The shortlist is announced
The shortlist Previous winners
Click on each award to view more information
BEST COMMUNICATION AWARD
Sponsored by:
BEST COMMUNICATION AWARD
Sponsored by
Shortlist
- Alliance Pharma plc
- Calliditas Therapeutics AB
- Ergomed plc
- Evotec AG
- Hikma Pharmaceuticals plc
- Medica Group plc
Criteria
Successful communication is vital to the development of mediscience companies.
Newsflow, both good and bad, can have a significant effect on share prices, and the winner of this award will have demonstrated its ability to successfully communicate its investment message to its target audience.
Last year's winner
BREAKTHROUGH OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sponsored by:
BREAKTHROUGH OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sponsored by
Shortlist
- Arecor Therapeutics plc
- argenx
- AstraZeneca plc
- Calliditas Therapeutics AB
- Destiny Pharma plc
- Molecular Partners AG
Criteria
The winner of this award will be the company or organisation which has achieved the most significant breakthrough during the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022.
This breakthrough could be a new discovery, departure or breakthrough in technology, a significant positive change in its financial position, or other breakthrough which has added significantly to the company’s or organisation’s fortunes.
Last year's winner
BEST TECHNOLOGY AWARD
Sponsored by:
BEST TECHNOLOGY AWARD
Sponsored by
Shortlist
- Aptamer Group plc
- Arecor Therapeutics plc
- ONWARD Medical NV
- Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc
- Spectral MD Holdings Ltd
- Transgene
Criteria
The technology that lies at the heart of this award does not have to be proven, but it will, in the eyes of the Voting Panel, be innovative, well funded, and capable of significant commercial success. The technology concerned could have been developed within the organisation or acquired.
Last year's winner
THE EMERGING STAR AWARD
Sponsored by:
THE EMERGING STAR AWARD
Sponsored by
Shortlist
- bit.bio
- BiVictriX Therapeutics plc
- Microbiotica Ltd
- MiNA Therapeutics
- Quell Therapeutics Ltd
- Sitryx Therapeutics
- Synaffix BV
- Vicore Pharma Holding
Criteria
The Emerging Star will be a private or young public mediscience company that has demonstrable credibility in terms of business model/strategy, management team and financing. The winner's focus on innovation will also be key, with its technology/IP capable of significant market impact or disruption.
The Emerging Star may not be able to demonstrate too much of a track record, but it will be judged against the demanding criteria that exist for its quoted company peers. The purpose of this award is to broaden knowledge, exchange ideas and help private businesses understand what could be required of them in the quoted company universe.
Last year's winner
MEDISCIENCE MEDIA COMMENTATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sponsored by:
MEDISCIENCE MEDIA COMMENTATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sponsored by
Shortlist
- BioCentury Team
- Clive Cookson/ Financial Times
- Fierce Biotech Team
- Financial Times Health Team
- Siegfried Hofmann and Maike Telgheder/ Handelsblatt
- Melanie Senior/ In Vivo
Criteria
This award recognises the importance of clear and concise commentary on the sector. It could be awarded to a journalist, a columnist, a specialist website or a team that is dedicated to providing sharp, perceptive and penetrating commentary about the sector.
In-depth knowledge of the sector is a given; the Voting Panel will be looking for excellence in the way that knowledge is communicated to the wider audience.
Last year's winner
CAPITAL MARKET TRANSACTION OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sponsored by:
CAPITAL MARKET TRANSACTION OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sponsored by
Shortlist
- Abivax
- argenx
- Heidelberg Pharma AG
- Induction Healthcare Group plc
- Oxford Biomedica plc
- Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc
Criteria
This award recognises a significant capital market transaction during our period under review. The capital market transaction could be an IPO or a follow-on financing; it would be significant in scope and transformational in nature and would materially enhance the prospects for the business in the short, medium and long term.
In deciding the shortlist and eventual winner, the Voting Panel will take into account the amount raised, stock price performance and the quality of the share register.
Last year's winner
MOST SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE MEDISCIENCE SECTOR AWARD
Sponsored by:
MOST SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE MEDISCIENCE SECTOR AWARD
Sponsored by
Shortlist
- Baillie Gifford
- Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen/ Novo Nordisk Foundation
- Antoine Papiernik / Sofinnova Partners
- Andreas and Thomas Strüngmann
- Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation
- Wellcome Trust
Criteria
The winner of this award could be an individual, a company, a government department, research council, etc. who has made the single, biggest, most significant contribution to the sector. Difficult to define, but the Voting Panel will be aware of, and make allowances for, this fact.
Last year's winner
AstraZeneca plc/ Jenner Institute/ Oxford BioMedica plc/ Vaccitech plc
BEST NEWCOMER AWARD
Sponsored by:
BEST NEWCOMER AWARD
Sponsored by
Shortlist
- Aelis Farma
- Amniotics AB
- Arecor Therapeutics plc
- Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc
- Spectral MD Holdings Ltd
- Vimian Group AB
Criteria
The Best Newcomer is a new award for this year. The winner of this award has the potential to be a future Company of the Year, however their track record as a public company is not yet long enough. The winner will have gone public between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022, yet it will already have caught the eye of investors and will have excited the analyst community regarding its future pipeline and growth potential.
A full list of eligible companies will be provided.
Last year's winner
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sponsored by:
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sponsored by
Shortlist
- Lisa Anson/ Redx Pharma Ltd
- Christian Hogg/ HUTCHMED
- Sarah Howell/ Arecor Therapeutics plc
- Stuart Quin/ Medica Group plc
- Miroslav Reljanovic/ Ergomed plc
Criteria
The winner will be an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities during the year under review. The creation of shareholder value through drive, vision and flair in taking his or her business forward are the qualities the Voting Panel is looking for. The winner will also have recognised the importance of developing a management team and workforce in supporting corporate success.
Last year's winner
COMPANY OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sponsored by:
COMPANY OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sponsored by
Shortlist
- ALK-Abelló A/S
- argenx
- AstraZeneca plc
- Calliditas Therapeutics AB
- Ergomed plc
- Novo Nordisk A/S
Criteria
The Company of the Year will already have gained recognition by analysts and investors.
It will be a well managed, soundly financed growth business with a well defined strategy to deliver its key financial, ethical and social ambitions. Put simply, the Voting Panel are not necessarily looking for the biggest, but they are looking for the best.
Last year's winner
Voting panel

Ian Restall
Flathill Communications Group plc
(Voting panel Chairman)

Mette Kirstine Agger

Renée Aguiar-Lucander
Calliditas Therapeutics AB

Vadim Alexandre
SP Angel LLP

Georgia Attwood
LifeSci Partners

Nigel Barnes
WG Partners

Julia Bradshaw
FTI Consulting

Victoria Darbyshire
JP Morgan Asset Management

John Dawson
Oxford BioMedica plc

Stefan Hamill
Numis Securities Ltd

Nooman Haque
Silicon Valley Bank

Anne Hennecke
MC Services AG

Max Herrmann
Stifel

Ulrich Kinzel
goetzpartners

Matthew Neal
Consilium Strategic Communications

Rose Nguyen
Baillie Gifford

Nick Rodgers
SEHTA

Sachin Soni
Third Eye Asset Management

Julie Simmonds
Panmure Gordon & Co.

Dr Ivo Staijen
HBM Partners AG

Melanie Toyne-Sewell
Instinctif Partners

Dylan Van Haaften
Bryan Garnier & Co.

Ian Restall
Flathill Communications Group plc(Voting panel Chairman)

Mette Kirstine Agger

Renée Aguiar-Lucander
Calliditas Therapeutics AB

Vadim Alexandre
SP Angel LLP

Georgia Attwood
LifeSci Partners

Nigel Barnes
WG Partners

Julia Bradshaw
FTI Consulting

Victoria Darbyshire
JP Morgan Asset Management

John Dawson
Oxford BioMedica plc

Stefan Hamill
Numis Securities Ltd

Nooman Haque
Silicon Valley Bank

Anne Hennecke
MC Services AG

Max Herrmann
Stifel

Ulrich Kinzel
goetzpartners

Matthew Neal
Consilium Strategic Communications

Rose Nguyen
Baillie Gifford

Nick Rodgers
SEHTA

Sachin Soni
Third Eye Asset Management

Julie Simmonds
Panmure Gordon & Co.

Dr Ivo Staijen
HBM Partners AG

Melanie Toyne-Sewell
Instinctif Partners

Dylan Van Haaften
Bryan Garnier & Co.

Ian Restall
Flathill Communications Group plc(Voting panel Chairman)

Mette Kirstine Agger

Renée Aguiar-Lucander
Calliditas Therapeutics AB

Vadim Alexandre
SP Angel LLP

Georgia Attwood
LifeSci Partners

Nigel Barnes
WG Partners

Julia Bradshaw
FTI Consulting

Victoria Darbyshire
JP Morgan Asset Management

John Dawson
Oxford BioMedica plc

Stefan Hamill
Numis Securities Ltd

Nooman Haque
Silicon Valley Bank

Anne Hennecke
MC Services AG

Max Herrmann
Stifel

Ulrich Kinzel
goetzpartners

Matthew Neal
Consilium Strategic Communications

Rose Nguyen
Baillie Gifford

Nick Rodgers
SEHTA

Sachin Soni
Third Eye Asset Management

Julie Simmonds
Panmure Gordon & Co.

Dr Ivo Staijen
HBM Partners AG

Melanie Toyne-Sewell
Instinctif Partners

Dylan Van Haaften
Bryan Garnier & Co.
Ian Restall
Flathill Communications Group plc
(Voting panel Chairman)

Throughout his career, Ian has been involved in the quoted growth companies sector. His early career was as a stockbroker, analyst, broadcaster and financial journalist in this area and, since founding Design Portfolio in 1991, he has been active in helping many companies in this sector with their investor communication and corporate reporting requirements. Ian is also Chairman of Flathill Communications Group plc, President of The Design Portfolio Marketing Services Inc. and a member of the Investor Relations Society.
Mette Kirstine Agger

Mette has broad international experience within biotech and life sciences both as an investor, as a board member, and operationally, covering business development and licensing, management and financing.
Mette has been appointed to numerous board positions in both private and public companies in Europe and the US. She currently has six board positions in the US and Europe.
Mette previously founded and managed Lundbeckfonden Ventures, completing around 40 European and US investments over a 12 year period, and was part of the management at the Lundbeck Foundation. Before that, she was co-founder and CEO of 7TM Pharma A/S. She started her biotech career as part of the management team of NeuroSearch A/S, responsible for business development and licensing.
Mette started as a patent agent and, over the years, has co-founded several biotech companies. Mette graduated as a biologist from the University of Copenhagen and has an MBA from Henley Business School.
Renée Aguiar-Lucander
Calliditas Therapeutics AB

Renée is CEO of Calliditas Therapeutics AB and was previously a Partner and COO of Omega Funds. Before Omega, she served as a Partner in the Venture Capital group 3i Group plc in London where, since 2005, she was responsible for managing its publicly quoted assets and European legacy healthcare portfolio. Prior to this, she was a European Group Head and MD in investment banking. Renée has over twelve years of corporate finance experience with firms such as BT Alex Brown, Deutsche Bank and Lehman Brothers, where she focused on raising M&A and private and public capital for growth companies in both Europe and the US. Prior to investment banking, Renée worked for five years in European sales and marketing for a financial services-focused software business. Renée has a BA in Finance from Stockholm School of Economics and an MBA from INSEAD. She has significant Board experience from both private and public US and European Board work.
Vadim Alexandre
SP Angel LLP

Vadim leads the Healthcare Team at SP Angel, after having established a strong reputation for supporting growing and developing healthcare companies in the UK. Prior to joining SP Angel in 2019, he led the research team at Northland Capital Partners, where he established a Healthcare sector franchise from a standstill and turned it into the company’s highest revenue generating sector. Vadim also held roles at Daniel Stewart & Company, achieving a top Hemscott ranking, as well as other healthcare analysis roles in Montreal, Canada.
Georgia Attwood
LifeSci Partners

Georgia has held business development and corporate development positions within specialist Life Sciences consultancies, including Investor Relations and Executive search across the US and Europe, for the last ten years. Georgia joined LifeSci two years ago, with a primary focus on LifeSci’s Investor Relations business. Georgia now represents the whole LifeSci Platform which includes LifeSci Advisors (IR), LifeSci Consulting, LifeSci Capital (investment bank), LifeSci Venture, LifeSci Communications, First Thought (KOL network), LifeSci Search (board & executive search) and LifeSci Associates (on-demand-talent).
Nigel Barnes
WG Partners

Nigel is a Partner at the Specialist Life Science Investment Bank, WG Partners. Nigel has more than 35 years experience of working in the Life Science sector. He has a PhD in Pharmacology and has previously worked in the Pharmaceutical industry in both Research and Sales & Marketing. He moved into the City as an Equity Research Analyst in 1986 working for Hoare Govett and then Merrill Lynch from 1994 until 2005. He was a Founding Partner of Sudbrook Associates, a Corporate Advisory business with a Private Equity focus. He then joined WG Partners in 2012, shortly after the business was founded. He is a NED of a private biotech business, Avipero Limited. He is also a member of the External Commercialisation Board at the School of Medicine and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham where he also holds a Honorary Senior Lectureship at the Medical School. He is also a member of the 'Honorary Advisory Committee' at The Art Academy London.
Julia Bradshaw
FTI Consulting

Julia joined FTI Consulting’s life sciences team in February after a 15-year career in journalism. Before joining FTI she spent seven years working as a senior journalist and editor on the business pages of The Daily Telegraph, specialising in pharma and biotech.
Victoria Darbyshire
JP Morgan Asset Management

Victoria joined J.P. Morgan Asset Management in the European Research team covering the healthcare sector more than ten years ago. She also contributes to the J.P. Morgan Global Healthcare Fund. She became a CFA Charterholder in 2009 and has a BSc in Chemistry from Durham University.
John Dawson
Oxford BioMedica plc

John Dawson joined Oxford BioMedica’s Board as Non-Executive Director in August 2008 and he was appointed Chief Executive Officer in October 2008. Previously, he held senior management positions in the European operations of Cephalon Inc., including Chief Financial Officer and Head of Business Development Europe. While at Cephalon he led many deals building the European business to over 1,000 people, and to a turnover of several hundred million US dollars and in 2005 led the US$360 million acquisition of Zeneus by Cephalon. Prior to this time at Cephalon he was Director of Finance and Administration of Serono Laboratories (UK) Limited.
Stefan Hamill
Numis Securities Ltd

Stefan is a Director of Equity Research in the Healthcare and Life Sciences team at Numis, which is currently the No.1 Extel (2019) ranked team in the UK sector. The Numis team provides broad coverage of over 30 UK-listed mid and small-cap healthcare and life sciences companies and acts as broker or adviser to around 20 listed and private companies in the sector. Stefan has over 20 years of City experience as an analyst and in strategy consulting and has helped to raise over £2bn for healthcare and life sciences companies. He has a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Cambridge and is a CFA charterholder.
Nooman Haque
Silicon Valley Bank

Nooman is Head of life sciences and healthcare for EMEA at Silicon Valley Bank. He leads a team focused on supporting innovative and high growth companies with banking and financing solutions. Previously he was head of direct investments at a sovereign wealth fund and has also worked in Government as an economic advisor.
Anne Hennecke
MC Services AG

Anne has been Managing Partner of MC Services since 2011 and has over 20 years of experience in Financial and Strategic Communications. She was responsible for setting up the MC Services office in Düsseldorf and building the team and operations there. Prior to that, she held senior management positions in international pharma and biotech companies. She headed the Investor Relations and Corporate Communications department of Evotec AG for 10 years and was a member of the company’s Executive Committee. Previously, she was responsible for Investor Relations and Corporate Communications at Schwarz Pharma AG, where she initially held management positions in the International Marketing department. During her career she managed Evotec’s IPO on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, multiple M&A programs and major financial transactions. Anne is a pharmacist and marketing expert by training. Her sector expertise includes pharma and life sciences with experience in all major indication areas.
Max Herrmann
Stifel

Max joined Stifel in September 2013 as Head of European Healthcare Equity Research. Prior to joining Stifel, Max was Chief Financial Officer of Silence Therapeutics plc. He possesses more than 25 years of biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry experience, having held key management positions with leading development-stage companies, as well as establishing several highly rated equity research teams at a number of investment banks. He has also been involved in raising over $1bn for biotech companies.
Max holds a BSc in Microbiology from the University of Kent and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Arthur Andersen.
Ulrich Kinzel
goetzpartners

Uli is a Managing Director at goetzpartners. He is responsible for the Industry Group Healthcare. He is a founding partner of Code Securities Limited, a specialist life science investment bank which was formed in 2003, acquired by Nomura in 2005 and continued as Nomura Code Securities until late 2013. As Director, Corporate Finance, Ulrich Kinzel was instrumental for building the continental European M&A and Equity Capital Markets business. He was previously a Director of WestLB Panmure’s Life Science Team. He has advised leading international live science companies in more than 50 successful M&A and ECM transactions, including cross-border European, Asian and US public and private takeovers as well as IPOs and secondary off erings on all major European Stock Exchanges. He holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Munich University.
Matthew Neal
Consilium Strategic Communications

Matthew has over a decade of international financial and corporate communications experience at City PR firms and since joining Consilium Strategic Communications as a founding member, he has specialised in healthcare. He has advised both listed and private clients on strategic financial communications strategies across all subsectors of healthcare, as well as providing advice on crisis communications, capital market transactions, IPOs and M&A. Matthew speaks fluent Italian and Polish.
Rose Nguyen
Baillie Gifford

We are delighted to welcome Rose to the Voting Panel and her details will be available in due course.
Nick Rodgers
SEHTA

Nick is an experienced Non-executive Director and Chairman with a background as a successful corporate financier. He has considerable experience of businesses in the Healthcare, Medical, Biotechnology, Environmental and Technology sectors. Nick is Chairman of Destiny Pharma plc, an anti-infectives drug developer. He is also chairman of SEHTA, one of the largest health technology networking organisations in the UK and a part-time Director of Alcuris, an emerging Telecare and Telehealth business. Until 2016, Nick was Chairman of Oxford BioMedica plc, a leading gene-based biopharmaceutical company and, through Ipso Ventures, he helped found Therakind, a developer of paediatric medicines.
Sachin Soni
Third Eye Asset Management

Sachin is the co-founder and Fund Manager of Third Eye Healthcare Fund. Third Eye is an open ended long-biased long/short global healthcare investment fund. The Fund’s objective is to generate long-term returns for investors by investing in carefully selected publicly listed healthcare companies. The Fund’s performance should come primarily from long positions, with short positions providing protection in the event of market corrections. The Fund maintains up to 50% exposure to European Healthcare. Prior to incorporating Third Eye in 2016, Sachin worked as Director and Head of the Life Sciences team in the securities division of Kempen & Co, a merchant bank in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. During his eight years at Kempen & Co from 2008 to 2016, he led a team of five, was responsible for coverage of the European Healthcare and Life Sciences sector and won Extel and StarMine awards for stock picking. He has over fifteen years of experience in life sciences, with an exposure to both private (Venture Capital) as well as public market investments, and has been involved in multiple IPOs and secondary transactions, raising over €1.0bn for various life sciences companies.
Julie Simmonds
Panmure Gordon & Co.

Julie joined Panmure Gordon in November 2015 from Canaccord Genuity. She has 20 years’ experience in life sciences research, covering both UK and continental European companies across a wide range of healthcare subsectors. Julie has a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Kent and experience in industry in both Europe and the US. She is also a panel member for NIHR i4i (invention for innovation), assessing early-stage medical technologies.
Dr Ivo Staijen
HBM Partners AG

Ivo currently heads up the Public Equity team at HBM Partners. This company was founded in 2001, with the goal to invest in private and public emerging biopharma and other healthcare-related companies. HBM Partners manages and advises several investment companies and funds, the best-known of which is HBM Healthcare Investments. Ivo joined HBM Partners in 2003 as Investment Advisor for the Biotechnology and Pharma sector. Prior to that, Ivo worked as a Biotechnology Analyst at Bank Sarasin, and before that was Department Head at MDS Pharma Services, Switzerland. Ivo studied chemistry at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands, and was a visiting scholar at the Department of Biology at MIT in 1991. He obtained his PhD in Biology from the ETH in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1996. He has over 18 years’ experience in investment management and research, and is a CFA Charter Holder since 2004.
Melanie Toyne-Sewell
Instinctif Partners

Melanie is a Partner, Life Sciences, at Instinctif and she leads on financial communications within the Life Sciences team. She has 20 years of experience advising life sciences companies on financial communications. Prior to joining Instinctif, she built and established the life sciences practice at the Hogarth Partnership. She was a Partner in the Financial Dynamics (now FTI) Life Sciences team and a Director at Merlin Financial PR. She has extensive experience of capital market transactions and corporate issues facing the pharma, biotech, medtech and healthcare industries, as well as advising specialist VC and IP commercialisation companies. Before entering business communications, she was at Price Waterhouse, where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant. She has a BA in Biochemistry from the University of Oxford.
Dylan Van Haaften
Bryan Garnier & Co.

Dylan started his career in Lifesciences Equity Research six years ago at various boutique investment banks in the Netherlands, and has covered the European MedTech and Biotech sector for Bryan Garnier & Co in Paris and most recently in London as head of the Healthcare Equity Research team. His experience ranges from research on public and private companies to fundraising activities. Dylan has a degree in Business and Finance from the university of Amsterdam.
Shortlist review
Read more about this year’s shortlisted companies by selecting an award below.
Further award categories will be released shortly.
Best Communication Award
sponsored by Consilium Strategic Communications
The 2022 shortlist:
Alliance Pharma plc
Wiltshire-based Alliance Pharma is a leading international healthcare business. The group’s purpose is to improve the lives of consumers and patients through making available a range of clinically valuable healthcare products.
Alliance Pharma was one of the top performers in the benchmarking exercise due to its consistently high and clearly demonstrated best practice. The group’s Annual Report contained a forward-looking strategy section, which was underpinned by ESG values and included some engaging case studies. Alliance Pharma’s website was noted as being easy to navigate with a clean design and a wealth of content.
Calliditas Therapeutics AB
Stockholm-based Calliditas Therapeutics focuses on the development and commercialisation of a product candidate called Nefecon for the treatment of renal disease, IgA nephropathy. The group was also shortlisted for the Best Communication Award last year.
Calliditas has an active IR team who participate in a large number of investor conferences and events. The group’s Annual Report clearly presents Calliditas’ vision and demonstrates that ESG principles are integral to the group’s values. Calliditas has significantly increased its social media presence in addition to increasing its analyst coverage and engagement with shareholders both in Europe and the US.
Ergomed plc
Surrey-based Ergomed is dedicated to the provision of specialised services to the global pharmaceutical industry and the development of new drugs. The group was also shortlisted last year for the Best Communication Award.
Ergomed has invested in its IR presence by increasing retail investor media engagements and analyst engagements. The group’s Annual Report demonstrated best practice in several sections, including its strategy and forward-looking focus. Ergomed’s website was noted as being a useful and informative tool and its social media is well managed.
Evotec AG
Hamburg-based Evotec’s mission is to discover and develop highly effective therapeutics and make them globally available to patients. The group’s network of partners includes all of the Top 20 Pharma and hundreds of biotechnology companies, academic institutions, and other healthcare stakeholders.
Evotec was a strong performer in the bench marking exercise. The group’s Annual Report and website were observed to be very engaging due to the inclusion of creative hand-drawn illustrations. Evotec demonstrates the value it places on its employees and wider stakeholders and its risk management section was noted as being detailed and engaging.
Hikma Pharmaceuticals plc
London-based Hikma Pharmaceuticals aims to put better health within reach, every day. The group is a trusted, reliable partner and dependable source of over 670 high-quality generic, specialty and branded pharmaceutical products used by hospitals, physicians and pharmacists across North America, MENA and Europe.
Hikma demonstrated best practices throughout its annual report, making it a strong performer in the bench marketing exercise. Its leadership statements included future growth and returns for shareholders, in addition to incorporating KPIs, supported by images and graphs. The group’s strong online sustainability section includes diagrams and explanatory videos to help elevate stakeholder engagement.
Medica Group plc
Hastings-based Medica Group is the teleradiology market leader. The group provides hospital radiology departments with independent support to address serious capacity issues in both urgent and non-urgent reporting pathways. It is the trusted partner to over 50% of NHS organisations.
Medica is committed its IR communication and has some impressive IR content. The group’s Annual Report has an engaging and unique Human Story Q&A, sharing a clinical specialist’s experience of the impact of COVID on radiographers, setting the group apart from its competitors. Medica’s website includes a charity partnership page in the responsibility section, and it makes good use of images and icons throughout.
Breakthrough of the Year Award
sponsored by FTI Consulting
The 2022 shortlist:
Arecor Therapeutics plc
Cambridge-based Arecor Therapeutics is a global biopharmaceutical company. The group is using it proprietary formulation technology platform Arestat™, to develop a portfolio of proprietary products in diabetes and other indications.
Arecor started the year strongly with successful clinical data from its first clinical trials of lead product, AT247, an ultra-rapid insulin. This was quickly followed up with the expansion of its partner portfolio with companies including Lilly, Hikma and Intas. In June, the group successfully floated on AIM, raising £20m, providing funding to further develop its platform. Arecor then closed the year with its second insulin product, AT278, successfully completing its first clinical trials with results at the highest end of the group’s expectations.
argenx
argenx is a global immunology company, based in Belgium. The group partners with leading academic researchers through its Immunology Innovation Program (IIP), to translate immunology breakthroughs into a world-class portfolio of novel antibody-based medicines.
In December 2021, argenx announced the US FDA had approved VYVGART™ for the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in adult patients who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody positive. These patients represent approximately 85% of the total gMG population. This significant regulatory milestone represented several breakthroughs for argenx. It was the group’s first approved product, the first and only FDA-approved neonatal Fc receptor blocker, and the first approved therapy designed to reduce pathogenic IgGs, an underlying driver of gMG.
AstraZeneca plc
Cambridge-based AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology. The group’s ambition is to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
In February this year, the group announced positive high-level results from the pivotal DESTINY-Breast04 Phase III trial, which showed AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu has the potential to redefine how breast cancer is classified and treated. A HER2-directed therapy has never before shown a benefit in patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer, therefore these results represent a historic moment and a significant breakthrough for the group.
Calliditas Therapeutics AB
Swedish group Calliditas Therapeutics is focused on the development and commercialisation of the product candidate Tarpeyo, for IgA nephropathy, an orphan chronic autoimmune kidney disease for which there is no treatment available.
Calliditas’ breakthrough came in December 2021, with the US FDA approval of Tarpeyo to reduce proteinuria in adults with primary IgA nephropathy (IgAN) at risk of rapid disease progression. IgAN can progressively lead to the need for dialysis and/or kidney transplantation, however Tarpeyo offers disease-specific treatment for patients with this complicated disease. This approval marks the successful transition for Calliditas to a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company.
Destiny Pharma plc
Destiny Pharma is a clinical phase biotechnology company, based in Brighton. The group is dedicated to the development of novel anti-infectives, with a focus on infection prevention, based on its “in-house” XF platform.
In February this year, Destiny Pharma received positive Scientific Advice from the EMA following its review of the group’s proposed XF-73 Nasal gel Phase III programme design. This pivotal Phase III programme is expected to lead to the registration of the XF-73 nasal gel as a new drug in Europe. In addition, Destiny Pharma are continuing discussions with the FDA for Phase III designs in the US. The group estimates that sales could exceed $ 1bn in the US alone.
Molecular Partners AG
Switzerland-based Molecular Partners is a pioneer and developer of an entirely new class of therapeutics. The group aims to transform the lives of people with cancer and other serious diseases through its DARPin therapeutics.
In January 2022, Molecular Partners announced positive topline results from its Phase II global clinical study of ensovibep in acute COVID-19 ambulatory patients. The results showed approximately 80% reduction of the combined risk of hospitalization, emergency room visits, or death compared to placebo, regardless of vaccination status. Ensovibep offers a differentiated approach to treating COVID-19 through a single molecule that can target up to three parts of the SARS-CoV-2 virus simultaneously to neutralize the virus through cooperative binding.
Best Technology Award
sponsored by MC Services AG
The 2022 shortlist:
Aptamer Group plc
York-based Aptamer Group is a leading provider of Optimer® binders for use in research, diagnostics and therapeutics. The group strives to deliver transformational solutions that meet the needs of researchers and developers across life sciences through use of its proprietary Optimer® technology.
Optimer binders are next-generation aptamer molecules derived from nucleic acids that function as an antibody alternative. Aptamer’s unique approach to Optimer® selection offers novel aptamers tailored explicitly for each custom project. The advantages of Optimer® binders are rapid development, batch-to-batch consistency, and cost-effective manufacturability, in addition to their ability to bind specifically to a broader target range than other affinity molecules.
Arecor Therapeutics plc
Cambridge-based Arecor Therapeutics is a globally-focused biopharmaceutical group. Arecor applies its innovative proprietary formulation technology platform Arestat™, to develop an internal portfolio of proprietary products in diabetes and other indications.
Arecor’s technology has the potential to unlock the future treatment landscape for diabetes, hospital care and many other therapy areas. Clinical data for Arecor’s two lead proprietary pipeline candidates demonstrate the strength of the group’s platform technology, with both products outperforming the market-leading insulins in clinical trials. The value and need for Arecor’s technology is proven by multiple revenue generating partnerships with major pharma and biotechs such as Hikma, Lilly and Intas Pharmaceuticals.
ONWARD Medical NV
ONWARD Medical was formed in 2014 by researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. The group’s ARC Therapy is designed to deliver targeted, programmed stimulation of the spinal cord to restore movement in people with spinal cord injury.
ONWARD Medical is developing two technology platforms which have been awarded three Breakthrough Device Designations by the US FDA. The group’s ARC-IM implantable device for spinal cord injury is the culmination of fundamental research over the last 20 years. Data has revealed the concept of calibrated biomimetic spinal cord stimulation in action in upper limb, mobility and blood pressure indications. ONWARD Medical devices are not yet approved for commercial sale, however the group has a claim as a first to market in these SCI indications.
Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc
Headquartered in Oxford, Oxford Nanopore has developed a new generation of DNA/RNA sequencing technology that provides rich data, and is fast, accessible and easy to use. The group makes devices dubbed, the “smartphone of sequencing”, to analyse Covid-19 variants.
Oxford Nanopore has developed a new generation of sensing technology that uses nanopores - nano-scale holes - embedded in high-tech electronics, to perform precise molecular analyses. The group offers the only sequencing technology to combine scalability from portable to ultra-high throughput formats with real-time data delivery and the ability to elucidate accurate biological data through the analysis fragments of native DNA or RNA. Researchers have used nanopore sequencing to generate data essential to combating the spread of COVID-19.
Spectral MD Holdings Ltd
Spectral MD is a predictive analytics company headquartered in Texas and quoted on AIM. The group has developed a platform that uses proprietary AI to predict how a wound will heal which is revolutionising the management of wound care.
Spectral MD has developed a product called DeepView®, which is a multispectral imaging AI technology with US FDA Breakthrough Device Designation status. The product is able to distinguish between damaged and healthy human tissue invisible to the naked eye, providing 'Day One' healing assessments for burn wounds and diabetic foot ulcers. Spectra’s unique and validated wound diagnosis device is enabling clinicians to work more effectively, in addition to achieving better patient outcomes.
Transgene
Transgene, based in France, is a biotech company that designs and develops targeted immunotherapy products against cancer. The group is exploiting the mechanisms of the immune response to allow patients to defend themselves against disease.
In November 2021, Transgene reported positive data for its novel individualised cancer vaccine TG4050. This individualized immunotherapy is based on Transgene’s advanced virus engineering platform, myvac, and NEC’s deep expertise in artificial intelligence. TG4050 is designed to educate the immune system against each patient’s most relevant neoantigen targets, tumour-specific antigens created by mutations in the malignant cells. Additional patients have been enrolled across the USA, UK, and France for further trials.
The event
Sponsorship
Sponsorship opportunities sometimes become available, including sponsorship of an individual award, sponsorship of the official drinks reception or sponsorship of the menu. Sponsorship opportunities are, by their very nature, limited. Costs and availability on request.
Hosting a table
Reservations are available for tables of ten people. Numbers are strictly limited and reservations are taken on a first come, first served basis.
Advertising
Advertising in the brochure is welcomed and enables your key messages to reach a highly targeted audience. The event brochure is available on the night and contains details of the names of all attendees, in alphabetical and table order. Thus it is widely used as a corporate finance reference guide for up to a year after the event.
Bespoke sponsorship opportunities
We offer a range of bespoke sponsorship packages, tailor made to suit your marketing objectives and budget. Further information on request.
Key details for guests
Date
Thursday 16 June 2022
Venue
Ballroom, Hotel InterContinental
One Hamilton Place
Park Lane
London W1J 7QY
Start time
6.00 p.m. – Drinks reception
7.30 p.m. – Dinner
9.15 p.m. – Awards
9.45 p.m. – After-dinner entertainment
12.00 midnight – Carriages
Dress code
Black Tie
Charity collection
A charity collection will be taken up during the course of the evening. Further details to follow.
Location
Accommodation
Hotel InterContinental
If you wish to book a bedroom for the European Mediscience Awards, a special rate of £340.00 inc. VAT for a Classic Room including breakfast has been secured. Please use the link below, and from the drop down option please choose the attendee option to book the bedroom.
Latest media
Charity
The European Mediscience Awards is proud to announce its support of the charities bccs and Kidney Research UK.
A charity collection was held at the 2021 Awards and the total amount raised, which was split equally between these, two charities was:
£5,324

bccs provides highly professional and well‑supported Social Workers and Counsellors to help children and young people who are in need.
bccs works in the East End of London and Essex with children, young people and their families and schools to help them overcome emotional difficulties, behavioural problems and their root causes. The prime focus of the work is to provide an early intervention service to enable them to address difficulties that may be impeding their educational, social and emotional development.
Worldwide, around one in 10 people has chronic kidney disease, for which there is no cure. Here in the UK, 20 people develop kidney failure each day, and around 70,000 are reliant on dialysis or a transplant to stay alive. Over the past decade some progress has been made in treating kidney disease, but not nearly enough, with successive generations experiencing the same life-limiting health problems and inadequate treatments.
As the largest kidney research charity in the UK, nothing is going to stop us in our urgent mission to end kidney disease. We’re here to be heard, to make a difference, to change the future.
Gallery
Images from European Mediscience Awards 2021































































































































































































