View from the top: Medilink chief on UK life sciences

Kevin Kiely, CEO, Medilink UK, charts his career at the organisation, outlining his views on the UK life sciences sector.

As a joint founder of Medilink nearly twenty five years ago, I have seen a significant transformation in our health delivery system over this time, with a change in focus from GP and hospital treatment, to early diagnosis, community / home care, self-management of chronic disease and prevention (health & well-being). These changes have only been possible through underpinning technology developments eg. genomic medicine, molecular diagnostics, AI / Machine Learning, regenerative medicine, additive manufacture and robotics, all which further fuel expectations, and create a continuous cycle of innovation in health delivery.  

The need to enhance connectivity between technologists, clinicians, and businesses to drive the nation’s health and wealth, is as important now as it was when Medilink was formed, bringing together for the first time a regional partnership between academia, clinicians and business, to drive commercially viable innovation. In this model businesses are seen as central in translating clinical need and technology advances into mainstream healthcare solutions, and this is why Medilink UK focuses the majority of its resources on supporting business development. 

Last year was a challenging year for the life science business community. After what seemed like a lifetime since the referendum on Brexit, and the terrible uncertainty that businesses have had to endure, we are now out of the EU, but I don’t think any of us will be able to the predict what our relationship will be post 31 December. I think it’s perhaps an understatement to say that there will be some difficult negotiations ahead.   

As well as uncertainty around Brexit, another major issue our member companies have faced over the past 12 months has been regulation, namely the unrelenting countdown to the implementation of the new European Medical Device Regulations or the MDR on the 26 May of this year. This situation has been exacerbated by the demise of the Notified Body infrastructure, with there currently being only 10 Notified Bodies across the entire of Europe to undertake CE marking audits under the MDR, with only one of these being UK based.

So in addition to Medilink UK’s day to day support for life science companies, region by region, which include services spanning innovation and commercialisation, skills development, PR & Marketing, and International, Medilink has tried its best to respond to issues of the day. For example we organised Brexit readiness events and webinars, funded by BEIS, with our Brexit webinar series, covering logistics, legal, IP, regulation etc., now forming a resource library that can be accessed through our website. Our international team are gearing up for the support that companies will need to seize the new international opportunities which will result from Brexit.

With respect to regulation, Medilink UK was joint partner in a national study on SME preparedness for MDR, commissioned by Innovate UK. The results confirmed initial fears, that life science SMEs were extremely unprepared for the new regulations. In recognition of this fact, Medilink has stepped up its support in this key area and has been working with all of the appropriate government agencies to seek meaningful interventions.

There will be many challenges ahead, with the growing COVID-19 epidemic, being just one example. I know that I speak on behalf of all the CEO and chairs of the regional Medilink organisations, when I say that we are all committed to do our bit, in partnership with other key institutions, to drive health and wealth not only in the UK but globally. I also feel privileged to have the support and encouragement of Medilink UK’s chair, Bill Cruise, who has over 20 years Life Science commercial experience, latterly as the Vice President of 3M Healthcare, Western Europe, and who has been actively engaged in strategic development for the sector, representing industry on the key groups e.g. Ministerial Medical Technology Strategy Group, the Accelerated Access Review Group.

I look forward to meeting with both new and old friends at this year’s Med-Tech Innovation Expo in Birmingham.