Graduate packed for first biotech matchmaking event

It was a full house at The Graduate hotel for the inaugural biotech matchmaking event for early-career life scientists.

Around 250 showed up when Cambridge Gravity partnered with the Milner Therapeutics Institute to deliver the first event of its kind, which saw engagement and networking combined with a recruitment angle.

Cambridge Gravity is a society at the University of Cambridge. Its mission is to inspire and support early-career scientists with a focus on life sciences, to fulfil their entrepreneurial potential. Gravity manages the entrepreneurial programme Bio-spark, conducts interviews with inspirational personalities, holds a prestigious annual award and lecture, and facilitates biotech matchmaking through a programme of events.

Until now, entrepreneurial organisations throughout Cambridge have had limited opportunities to intermix. The Gravity event held on January 26 was attended by PhD students and postdocs as well as early career life scientists. Guests explored the many programmes and initiatives available, as well as network with other like-minded. Tickets to the free event had been snapped up within two weeks of registration opening.

With 25 companies in attendance – each gave a two-minute talk – there were options across the board. The companies included Abcam, Astellas, CIC, Domainex, Eagle Genomics, Enhanc3d Genomics, GSK, Intellegens, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Microbiotica, Phoremost, Qkine, Storm Therapeutics and Vernalis R&D.

Tony Kouzarides, director of Cambridge Gravity, said: “There aren’t many opportunities for early career scientists in Cambridge to hear from pharma and biotech companies about what it’s like working in industry.

“This event opened up that opportunity, and also allowed companies direct access to the fantastic pool of talent we have here in Cambridge. The fact that 250 scientists gathered for this event shows the unmet need in this area.”