NanoKTN Announces Fifth Annual Nano4Life Conference And Exhibition

Keynote presentations will be provided by Prof Pete Dobson, Academic Director of Begbroke Science Park, and Prof Ruth Duncan, Professor of Cell Biology & Drug Delivery, Cardiff.

Prof Dobson will discuss how over the past decade it has become apparent that nanotechnology can be used to enhance medical imaging and allow for the targeted delivery of drugs or physical therapy to specific sites in the body. These advances are now reaching the point where some genuine impact can be foreseen in healthcare and it is this convergence of nano-based technology that is beginning to excite the industry.

Prof Duncan will discuss how multidisciplinary R&D has sought to harness nanoscience for broad-ranging nanomedicine applications including diagnostics, surgical tools, imaging agents (including theranostics), and to create nanostructured biomedical materials. It is timely to review current progress, and discuss why there have been so many papers, but relatively few products transferred into the clinic.

Clinicians from the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, and the University College and Great Ormond Street Hospitals, will cover topics including the use of nanotechnology in regenerative medicine, the pharmaceutical industry and in medical devices. These talks will be complemented by talks from key industry professionals including AstraZeneca, Orthox Ltd and Endomagnetics Limited.

Dr Felicity Sartain, Theme Manager – Healthcare & Life Sciences, NanoKTN, comments, “Over the past decade we have seen the very significant role that nanotechnologies are playing within the life science industry. At Nano4Life 2013, we hope to further facilitate collaboration between the key players in the supply chain to drive forward the convergence of nanotechnology and healthcare to deliver even more impact. Nano4Life 2013 will provide all stakeholders in the life science industry with the latest updates on the developments that nanotechnology is delivering within the healthcare industries and identify any gaps in the supply chain necessary for commercial and clinical success.”

Prof Andrew Owen, Chair of the British Society for Nanomedicine, added “The convergence of disciplines is essential for realising the benefits of nanotechnology in medicine. Only through events like Nano4Life 2013 can we better form an integrated understanding of the technological capabilities and knowledge gaps for efficient resource commitment focused on meeting the real clinical needs.”