Insider Breakfast Golden Triangle Breakfast Event

Professor Ruth Roberts was thrilled to be invited to speak at Business Insider’s recent Golden Triangle Breakfast Event at Alderley Park in the Northwest.  The new golden triangle is part of a vision to take the Cheshire Science Corridor and create a golden triangle in the Northwest to rival the original golden triangle of Oxford, Cambridge and London.

Joining Ruth, Director and Co-founder of ApconiX was Chris Doherty MD of Alderley Park, Peter Simpson CSO of the Medicines Discovery Catapult, CEO of the Knowledge Quarter in Liverpool, Mark Street-Docherty CEO of Elucigene Diagnostics, Julian Cobley MD of the Skills Growth Company (Cheshire East) and Cliff Kirby CEO of Needlesmart.

There was lively debate as the speakers considered the significance of digital health, tech and life sciences to the whole country not just the Northwest.  Competition is healthy, but the sector is collaborative in nature and sees collaboration with the all regions of the country to be of vital importance.  The Medicines Discovery Catapult are already working with Cambridge based Optibrium and Intellegens, having secured a £1M Innovate UK fund in September.

Inevitably BREXIT came up.  Europe is a large key market for any tech business.  Remaining relevant and at the cutting edge of innovation is fundamental to sustainability and growth.   Uncertainly remains the key issue going forward.   “I am also optimistic, because I am sure we will find a way.  Right now, though I don’t know how it will work,” commented Ruth.

Ultimately, though, biotech is an international market with global opportunities.  For many it is about working together, giving a consistent message and providing compelling offers that will attract companies and investors to the region.