/> There is no doubt that the field of biotechnology is moving forward rapidly and over the past decade there has been significant interest in the promise that nanotechnology holds for the international life science industries. An estimated 40 per cent of US nanotechnology venture capital has been allocated to life science start-ups and the technology is starting to impact areas from drug delivery to diagnostics and medical devices. Nano4Life 2011 will look at the areas where nanotechnologies are already being adopted in healthcare and where it is likely to be used in the future.

Professor Sir Michael Rawlins will open the event with his keynote address entitled Clinical Needs. Sir Michael has been the Chairman of the National Institute of Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE) since its formation in 1999 and he is also an Honorary Professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London, and Emeritus Professor at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Nano4Life 2011 will also see presentations from other industry leaders and renowned academics in the field who will explore ways in which nanotechnology will enable advances in the commercialisation of life sciences technology. Speakers include IOTA NanoSolutions, Repregen Ltd, Orthox Ltd, Alere Ltd, PA Consulting, London Centre for Nanotechnology and St George's University of London.

“Nanotechnology is changing the way biotechnology advances and there are still many areas where it is predicted to provide significant benefits. Some will come to fruition, some won’t. The important thing is that we should explore these ideas so that we benefit from technological advancement,” explains Dr Mike Fisher, Theme Manager at the NanoKTN.

Fisher continues, “Through the annual Nano4Life conference, we hope to develop and maintain growth in the UK nanotechnology industry, bringing together key players in the supply chain to examine the convergence of nanotechnology and healthcare.”

Nano4Life 2011 will also see technology pitches from a number of selected UK companies and organisations, who will use the event as an opportunity to discuss their work with key target audiences, through a series of short 10-minute presentations. By providing this opportunity, the NanoKTN aims to give organisations a platform for their ideas, with the aim to develop collaborative links with potential business partners. Confirmed to deliver technology pitches are Applied Microengineering Ltd, Applied Nanodetctors Ltd, Bio Nano Consulting, Exocyte Ltd, ImmunoSolv, Nanomerics Ltd, Procarta Biosystems Ltd and the Southampton Nanofabrication Centre.

All sectors of the supply chain are encouraged to register for the Nano4Life 2011 conference including research-based pharma, biotech and medical device companies, academics, research policy makers and anyone who is interested in learning about what nanotechnology has to offer the life sciences.