A group of export ready medical technology companies from British Columbia (BC) participated in a virtual mission to the UK w/c 9th May, organised by BC Trade and Invest, GTM Global and Vita Healthcare Solutions.
BC is home to the fastest growing life sciences sector in Canada, and one of the fastest growing sectors in BC. The Province is home to 2,000 biopharmaceutical and medical device firms and laboratories, from start-ups to unicorns with greater than $1 Billion in market capitalization. Approximately one quarter of BC Life Sciences companies are export ready. The label ‘Export ready’ companies typically applies to medical device / medical technology companies with an exportable product (e.g. a test kit, a health device or application, a diagnostic instrument etc.). These companies generally target the US and Europe as their first markets of entry.
Thirteen such BC companies took part in this second mission, which kicked off with an introductory session of high level presentations from the Trade Commissioner Service, the Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce and several UK Economic Development agencies, setting out the current UK scene generally and in healthcare from a national, regional, and operational perspective. Stemcell Technologies, Canada’s largest biotechnology company, headquartered in Vancouver, then talked about how they have successful set up operation in the UK/EU over the last decade.
Other highlights included an interactive buyer panel from NHS and Pharma and an investment pitch event organised by Sheffield Haworth, a global talent consulting firm that has been a main sponsor of Tech Tours for several years, one of the largest investor-oriented communities in Europe connecting entrepreneurs, investors and corporate partners from across the world.
Finally, the critical aspect of the mission was the series of 1-2-1 curated 30 minute business matching sessions with dedicated experts to align their companies market entry requirements. This included a mix of business development and channel partners including regional UK economic development organisations, healthcare specialists, hospital trusts, teaching hospitals, pharma channels, care home providers and building management providers.
For further information, please contact Laetitia MacDougall, BC Trade and Investment, lmacdougall@britishcolumbia.ca
