Medilink East Midlands has been named as the UK partner for Biomat-IN, the newly established €1.24 million biomaterials innovation network which spans the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands. With biomaterials now being used in many medical applications - such as dental restoration, heart valves and prosthetic hips - Biomat-IN brings companies and academics together to pool their skills and resources.

Medilink EM is making a positive start to its new role by hosting the first international Biomat-IN collaboration event which will be held at BioCity, Nottingham on Tuesday 26 June. The event will be the first of its kind and gathers internationally renowned speakers to start the process whereby international delegates can explore trans-European collaborations in biomaterials innovation.

Medilink EM CEO, Dr Darren Clark says,

"Medilink East Midlands was invited to represent the UK in this transnational biomaterials network because of our solid reputation for supporting medical companies in the East Midlands. We will add our considerable experience to that of the other European regional clusters by identifying the regional industry leaders in biotechnology, biomaterials and other crucial disciplines.  I can foresee the UK network contributing to some fascinating and leading-edge projects in the coming years."

Dr Clark continues,

"It is particularly pleasing to host the first "Special Interest Group" meeting of the Biomat-IN network which is designed to attract delegates from across Europe. Our considerable experience in planning and delivering conferences will help set the tone and pace for this important European project. East Midlands companies will have the chance to be involved from the beginning. I hope a number will grasp the opportunity to engage with an influential international audience and, in particular, take advantage of 1-2-1 meetings to explore collaborative potential with possible European partners which are part of the conference schedule."

The Biomat-IN project receives support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Interreg IVB North West Europe programme to foster innovation in the field of biomaterials through transnational co-operation. Five European regional clusters are pooling their expertise and contacts to broaden the collaboration between smaller biomaterials companies by linking them with new technologies, facilities, clinicians and academic experts. At the same time SME's can access biomaterial industry mapping and online toolkits to provide all-important regulatory, market and financial information. Further support is available through a voucher system, which enables East Midlands companies to make the most of potential collaborations within the regional clusters.  

The event on the 26^th June is being facilitated by Dr Philip Breedon, Programme Leader for the Smart Design Post Graduate Framework & Erasmus design programmes at Nottingham Trent University, and a specialist in the use of smart materials and technologies for medical devices. Dr Breedon says,

"The Biomat-IN network demonstrates the current move towards open innovation whereby companies share information and expertise in order to make the most of their research and development activities. Medical device companies, particularly strong in the UK Midlands, are also starting to look outwards to boost their innovation and will benefit greatly from being involved with Biomat-IN."

"The project is well-targeted at a time when small companies in this sector, and in the region, are eager to work with international collaborators. The case for industry clusters is now well established. If we can leverage further benefit from networking biomaterials clusters across Europe, this will be a very exciting international development."

For more information on the Biomat-IN network go to www.biomatin.eu. To view the event programme and register for the inaugural collaboration event on June 26^th visit www.medilinkem.com