The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) in partnership with the BioBased and Biodegradable Industries Association (BBIA), holds its 12th Annual Conference in Glasgow on 10 and 11 March 2026.
The conference will bring together over 400 biobased industry professionals, researchers, policymakers, and supporting organisations to hear talks, case studies, and panel sessions and to take part in networking activities and workshops.
Visit the exhibition, innovation zone, and posters zone, take part in extensive informal networking opportunities and 1-1 partnering, and join an all-welcome civic reception at Glasgow City Chambers.
Conference attendees are made up of predominantly C-suite or senior level industry representatives from both large, established companies and emerging and start-up enterprises, as well as senior academics, researchers in industry or academia, students and recent graduates, investors, and policy makers. The conference focuses on delivering tangible benefits for attendees, including cultivating strategic partnerships, facilitating new connections and collaborations, providing examples of best practice, understanding, and feeding back on, regulations, and supporting effective communication.
The theme of this year’s conference is BioSolutions for Tomorrow’s World. Fast paced sessions will explore topics ranging from bio-similars in manufacturing to food innovation and the role of biotechnology in restoring natural environments. We’ll look into key issues such as the extent to which bio-based products can replace fossil, and factors influencing the adoption of alternative proteins, while fireside chats and panel sessions will delve into issues in depth. Sponsored workshops on Day 2 will give hosts and delegates an opportunity to discuss issues in-depth in an interactive and outcome-driven setting, and informal networking and 1-1 partnering throughout will give delegates opportunities to meet key contacts and build new connections.
The Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance (SULSA) IndAc25 Conference is a dynamic two-day conference and careers fair bringing together life sciences industry and academia to explore the latest in industry-academia collaboration, commercialisation, and career development.
Day one focuses on industry-academia collaboration and commercialisation with ample opportunities to network with commercially minded academics, industry open to collaboration and organisations that can support.
Day two focuses on employability and skills development and run similar to a recruitment fair providing the chance for talented and proactive undergraduate and postgraduate students and staff to network with life sciences employers.
Interface are taking part in a panel session and have an exhibition stand, so drop by and meet Shelley Breckenridge, Jackie Sanderson and Gillian Hambley.
Aligning Research with Real-World Impact
Life Sciences Partnerships Day on Wednesday 1st October 2025 will be a day of connection, collaboration and innovation bringing together academic researchers, funders, industry and other external organisations to explore how the University of Glasgow’s life sciences expertise can help tackle real-world challenges.
This event is designed to create space for meaningful engagement between Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences (MVLS) researchers and external organisations. Through a combination of keynote talks, industry-led pitches, collaborative workshops, and networking opportunities, the day aims to:
- Showcase MVLS research strengths and ambitions
- Identify opportunities for collaborative problem-solving
- Facilitate conversations around funding, skills development, and translational impact
- Build lasting partnerships to address key societal challenges with a focus on human and animal health, life sciences, and the environment
Meet Interface’s Gillian Hambley and Jackie Sanderson at this event.
Accelerate your HealthTech solution with University of Glasgow’s Evidence Generation Bootcamp!
Building on the success of the inaugural bootcamp last year, the Digital Health Validation Lab is hosting its second edition on Wednesday 1st and Thursday 2nd of October. This two-day, hands-on event is designed for HealthTech innovators who are ready to accelerate their solutions and drive real-world impact.
In today’s fast-moving and competitive HealthTech landscape, robust evidence is critical to achieving regulatory approval, adoption, scale, and long-term success. This bootcamp provides a practical framework to help you confidently navigate the complexities of evidence generation and build a clear, actionable strategy aligned with your innovation and route to market.
Through expert-led sessions, you’ll gain:
- Clarity on your evidence requirements and how to address them effectively
- Confidence to engage key stakeholders with timely, relevant evidence and navigate complex evidence demands
- A personalised roadmap for evidence generation, tailored to your solution and market strategy
- Improved understanding of approaches to: Patient and Public Involvement (PPI); concept validation; health economic modelling; simulation; technical feasibility and AI performance testing; clinical investigations for regulatory approval; and clinical and cost-effectiveness studies to support adoption.
Who should attend?
HealthTech startups, SMEs, innovation leads, and academic researchers ready to turn a great solution into an evidence-backed, scalable success.
Headline speakers include:
Professor Olivia Wu is a globally recognised authority in Health Technology Assessment (HTA). She holds the prestigious William R Lindsay Chair of Health Economics at the University of Glasgow’s HEHTA and serves as Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy at Mahidol University in Thailand.
Professor Neil Hawkins is a Professor of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) at the University of Glasgow, where he brings decades of cross-sector experience to advancing evidence-based healthcare decision-making. His career spans academia, industry, and consultancy, with contributions across pharmacology, clinical development, epidemiology, and HTA.
Professor David Lowe is an Emergency Consultant at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH), Clinical Director of Innovation at the University of Glasgow, and Clinical Director for Health Innovation for the Scottish Government.
Ticket Price
£295.00 – Early Bird Rate (until 15 August 2025)
£350.00 – Standard Rate (from 16 August 2025)
Please note that registration will close on Friday 19 September.
Be part of the conversation at the Art of Possible session on 19th June at the Glasgow Science Centre.
As part of the #Glasgow 850 celebrations, this Art of Possible session will highlight Glasgow’s remarkable health and life sciences journey—a story that blends centuries of scientific discovery with today’s cutting-edge medical technologies. The Glasgow’s Innovation Journey campaign is a year-long initiative showcasing how Glasgow’s industrial past has laid the foundation for the high-tech advancements of today. This month, the focus is on the city’s thriving health and life sciences sector, from breakthroughs in biotechnology and medical research to pioneering technologies that enhance patient care. Glasgow continues to lead the way in global health innovation.
This Art of Possible session will explore how technology is transforming and democratising healthcare — making it more accessible, personalised, and efficient for all.
Join the panel of experts to examine how emerging technologies are transforming areas such as early disease detection, patient wellbeing, and precision medicine. From robot-assisted surgery and ultrasonic imaging to AI-powered diagnostics, the session will explore how Glasgow’s health tech innovators are tackling global health challenges while breaking down barriers to more personalised care.
Whether it’s through data-led approaches or immersive AR/VR tools for patient and clinician support, the region’s ecosystem is shaping a future where location and circumstance no longer determine access to high-quality healthcare.
Who is Speaking?
- Dr Stephen Breslin – Chief Executive, Glasgow Science Centre
- Janette Hughes – Director of Planning & Performance, The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) (Chair)Nico Fenu – CEO & Founder, Nami Surgical
- Dr Paul Chapman – Director of Emerging Technology, The Glasgow School of Art
- More speakers to be confirmed soon
This will be a valuable session for business leaders, researchers, technologists, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
Scottish Universities Life Science Alliance (SULSA) is joining Science Entrepreneur Club on March 26th in Edinburgh to launch SEC Scotland!
This collaboration with Science Entrepreneur Club will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, and academics to connect, share ideas, and drive innovation in Scotland’s thriving life sciences sector.
Event Schedule:
- 2:30–4:30 PM | Workshop for researchers on developing an entrepreneurial mindset
- 4:30–7:00 PM | Networking Mixer with drinks, nibbles, and inspiring conversations
What to look forward to?
- Professor Ross Tuffee, founder of the Connect-Ed Network and co-author of Scotland’s Entrepreneurial Campus report, will guide researchers in SULSA’s network through key considerations in developing an entrepreneurial mindset and empower you to turn your research into business ideas whether you’re ready to take that plunge now or just wondering what the fuss is all about!
- Following this workshop for researchers (PhD stage upwards), the SEC’s network of entrepreneurs and investors will join for an evening of networking and the official launch of the SEC Scotland Chapter. SULSA and BioAcademic researchers are welcome to join for the workshop and/or the mixer!
? Register on the luma platform to attend:
The 13th Scottish Fermentation Network Event will take place at the University of Edinburgh Central Campus on 7th April 2025.
Following some refreshments on arrival, a brief update on the network will be given and then an exciting mix of industry and academic presentations from current SFN members. This will be followed by an optional distillery tour and tasting event at Holyrood Distillery.
Agenda
1pm – Registration & refreshments
1.30pm – Welcome talk – Luke Johnston – Senior Upstream Bioprocess Scientist, IBioIC
Session 1
1.40pm – Omics and Biotech. Why bother? – Karl Burgess – Personal Chair of Biological Mass Spectrometry, University of Edinburgh
2pm – Cheaper Than Chicken – Martin Currie – Founder, AMYBO
2.20pm – IP-A: A pint full of intellectual property – Yann Robin – Principal Associate, Marks & Clerk
2.40pm – Sponsor presentation – María Constanza Sadino Riquelme – Senior Process Engineer, Modela
2:50pm – Refreshment break
Session 2
3.10pm – Using Scotland’s spent grains to help solve the global cocoa crisis – Andy Clayton – CEO, Fermtech
3.30pm – Production of biobased molecules to enhance drought tolerance in plants – Josephine Giard – Postdoctoral Researcher, Heriot Watt University
3.45pm – Accelerating R&D: reducing cost improving product recovery with AI Bioprocess Simulation Software – Rafael Boni – Bioprocess Engineer, New Wave Biotech
4pm – Wrap up of main event – Luke Johnston – Senior Upstream Bioprocess Scientist, IBioIC
Main event ends
4.30pm – Whisky tour & tasting (Holyrood Distillery). Note – distillery is a 10 minute walk from 50 George Square venue.
6.15pm – Tasting concludes
Note – tasting will last between 1 hour 15 mins to 1 hour 30 mins.
The Global Research Institute in Health and Care Technologies was established to accelerate the advancements of research and is dedicated to facilitating the development of new technologies. Through collaborations with healthcare industry experts, stakeholders, charities and academics it has begun addressing critical global health challenges. Through a collaborative approach, their goal is to continue delivering innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions.
This Showcase event will shine a spotlight on The Global Research Institute in Health and Care Technologies and the research underway designed to address some of the most pressing challenges in global healthcare.
Keynote speakers include Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England and Chief Medical Adviser and Head of the Public Health Profession for the UK Government, and speaker David Dent, a previous member of the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps, Honorary Professor at Stirling University Business School and Executive Director for Paraxel Biotech. You will hear from Dubai representatives and also have the opportunity to engage with interactive demonstrations and network with academics from within the Global Research Institute in Health and Care Technologies.
The day will feature research breakthroughs and technology demonstrations, including photonics solutions enhancing clinical precision, next-generation smart health sensors driving real-time diagnostics, and advanced microfluidics revolutionising biomedical workflows. You will also have the option to join a tour of the Immersive Suite, featuring a state-of-the-art patient simulator and a dynamic projection system. This cutting-edge facility can recreate a wide range of environments, serving as a powerful hub for co-design and testing.
The event will offer networking opportunities, allowing you to connect with researchers, industry leaders, and stakeholders driving impactful change in healthcare.
If you would like to find out more about The Global Research Institute in Health and Care Technologies, please visit Health and Care Technologies | Heriot-Watt University
Amelia Whitelaw, Director of Interface will be attending this event.
Revolutionising gluten-safe food production
Background
Prozymi Biolabs Ltd, an Edinburgh based biotechnology start-up was founded with a mission to revolutionise gluten-free food production. With a significant portion of the UK population affected by gluten-related disorders, including coeliac disease, gluten sensitivity and IBS, there is an increased demand for gluten-free products. However, existing gluten-free options often lack the taste, texture, and nutritional value of traditional gluten-containing foods, posing challenges for consumers.
Scientists from Prozymi Biolabs are testing a new enzyme technology that degrades gliadin, the protein that causes food sensitivities.
The Journey
Since its inception in early 2021 Prozymi Biolabs has experienced rapid growth and made a significant impact in the biotech world – more specifically in gluten-safe technology.
Co-founders Ioannis Stasinopoulos and Andreas Andreou were awarded their PhD’s at the University of Edinburgh and came up with the idea of developing a pioneering method of making gluten-safe bread while baking sourdough bread in their spare time. Receiving seed funding through the University of Edinburgh’s Data Driven Entrepreneurship program, which supports high growth start-ups associated with the university, gave Prozymi Biolabs the kick-start required to embark on their journey revolutionising the gluten-free bread experience.
Following an introduction via the student enterprise team at Edinburgh Innovations, Louise Arnold, Business Engagement Executive at Interface, has supported the Prozymi Biolabs team since they started, helping them navigate the academic research and development landscape, making relevant connections into universities, support networks and funding.
Some of these connections and projects include:
- Queen Margaret University and the SRUC Thrive Programme in support of product development, planning, marketing, pitching, nutrition, food legislation and access to general business support information.
- The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) Accelerator Programme, to guide and assist them on best practice, direct innovation support and peer to peer learning. They continued to collaborate with IBioIC, through the scale up of the gliadin-degrading enzymes using IBioIC’s scale up facilities at Heriot Watt University.
- Two projects with University of Aberdeen’s Applied Health Science students: one to identify the causes behind gluten disorders, the parts of gluten responsible, the key symptoms, diagnostic methods, and potential treatments used. And the second on gluten awareness, researching gluten-related topics such as gluten intolerance, celiac disease, and gluten-free diets analysing data collected to identify patterns, trends, and key insights regarding gluten-related issues.
- A collaboration with University of Stirling’s Business School students on developing marketing strategy and market and competitor analysis.
- A partnership with the Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility at the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute, funded via the Healthier Products Innovation Fund, allowed Prozymi Biolabs to use their mass spectrometry equipment to develop a robust process for sequencing and characterizing gluten-degrading enzymes. This collaboration enabled the identification and expression of candidate enzymes, with a focus on specificity and efficiency in degrading harmful gluten peptides while preserving the integrity of bread’s texture and flavour.
The Benefits
Prozymi Biolabs are creating employment opportunities, generating collaborations with university facilities and provide experiential learning opportunities for students through Interface support. The project outcomes could yield multidimensional benefits in the future as follows:
- Social: Consumers will benefit from high-quality gluten-free products at lower prices, making them affordable for low-income social classes.
- Economic: The low production cost of gluten-free products made with their technology will alleviate NHS financial burden for prescribed goods to coeliacs and help products of those higher in the supply chain, such as local wheat and barley suppliers to reach the gluten-free market.
- Environmental: Reduced reliance on imported naturally gluten-free materials, used for existing gluten-free products, will minimise transport fuels and align with government priorities for carbon footprint reduction.
- Political: Support the government’s strategy for locally sourced wheat and barley grains to increase nation’s self-sufficiency and resilience.
Benefits to Prozymi Biolabs
- Collaboration has fostered an innovative environment, leading to the development of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) through identification and characterisation of the gluten degrading enzymes. This has also enhanced overall productivity within the company.
- By pooling resources and expertise across the university networks, has led to increased R&D efficiency, cost savings and faster project completion. The collaborations have improved Prozymi Biolab’s market position enabling the development of cutting-edge solutions, while increasing their market valuation.
- Potential applications in brewing, animal feed, and pharmaceutical industries.
- This innovation has also led to the selection of Prozymi Biolabs for IBioIC’s Biotech Innovators incubator, University of Edinburgh’s Venture Builder Incubator, Barclay’s AgriTech Bridge program and Carbon 13 Venture Launchpad program opening avenues for further academic and research collaborations.
- Awarded Innovation of the Year at the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2024.
Benefits to Academics
- The partnership has provided the University of Edinburgh’s Proteomics & Metabolomics Facility with an opportunity to apply analytical chemistry tools in the food sector.
- Collaborating with the organisation has opened additional funding opportunities for the universities, allowing for expanded research capabilities.
- The collaboration has offered students the chance to engage directly with industry, enriching their learning experience and professional development.
Next Steps
Prozymi Biolabs’ innovative approach to gluten-free bread production has the potential of transforming the food industry, offering consumers high-quality gluten-free products with improved taste, texture, and nutritional value. Through collaboration with academic partners and participation in incubator programs, the company is poised to further advance its research and development efforts, paving the way for a new era of gluten-free innovation.
Next steps for Prozymi Biolabs include:
- Continued collaboration with the University of Edinburgh’s Proteomics and Metabolomics facility and Edinburgh Genome Foundry has resulted in an established pipeline for screening and expression of gluten-degrading enzymes which could be further developed to generate new promising candidates in the future for the needs of beer, pharma, or animal feed industries.
- New academic collaborations with Queen Margaret University Scottish Centre for Food Development and Innovation, to provide equipment and expertise for small-scale proof-of-concept gluten-free bread production; the School of Physics of the University of Edinburgh for potential collaboration for testing the rheological properties of initial gluten-free bread batches.