The ‘Pathways to Health and Wealth’ event, between 4pm and 7pm on March 31, will bring together academics and researchers from across the university’s faculties of Health and Medicine, Science and Technology and the Management School.

They will demonstrate to businesses and organisations interested in the health sector how they can exploit Lancaster’s research excellence to improve and grow their businesses in the regional economy.

Businesses will be able to speak to experts who can give advice on how businesses can engage with the NHS, work with the university and access funding as well as wider networks.

Professor Mark E.Smith Vice-Chancellor at Lancaster University, said: “Lancaster University is celebrating 50 years of research in the life sciences with an event that will not only showcase our achievements, but also help businesses and organisations form links in this important sector.”

“In addition to being a hub of leading research in health, medicine and medical technology, the University has years of experience, expertise and contacts, that can significantly help businesses to realise the commercial potential of their products and technology.”

Key speakers at the event include:

• Dr Mark Treherne, Chief Executive of the UKTI Life Science Investment Organisation. Dr Treherne has been actively involved in the pharmaceutical industry for over 25 years and raised funds for biotechnology businesses around the world. He has also served on the boards of 13 private and public biopharmaceutical companies.

• Dr Liz Mear, Chief Executive, North West Coast Academic Heath Science Network. Dr Mear is also currently the Chair of the Cheshire and Merseyside Comprehensive Local Research Network (CLRN). Prior to this role Liz was the Chief Executive of The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust and has also worked at Executive Director level in the acute, mental health and ambulance sectors.

• Professor Mark E. Smith, Vice-Chancellor of Lancaster University. In addition to a distinguished career in academia, Professor Smith was also a member of the UK Government Treasury/Financial Skills Council (2006-08) working group looking at issues concerning the supply of people for the wholesale financial services sector.

The event will also provide an opportunity for networking across the wide-ranging health sector including SMEs, the NHS, public sector organisations and academics.

Lancaster University works in partnership with businesses in a number of ways including collaborative research, licencing intellectual property, use of the university facilities and professional training for future science leaders. The university is also dedicated to connecting research with the NHS and industry through an active Health Hub.

Register for this unique and free event via the website www.lancaster.ac.uk/healthandwealth where more information about the ‘Pathways to Health and Wealth’ event can be found.