Inaugural data-driven ecosystem event from LIHE proves roaring success
The inaugural LIHE Breakfast saw key leaders from the healthcare and life sciences ecosystem lay the groundwork for a unified, data-driven future for these critical sectors.
Held in the heart of London at the London Institute of Healthcare Engineering (LIHE), the event was the first in a new breakfast event series. Over 200 innovators, investors, academics, policymakers, and healthcare providers gathered to foster collaboration, exchange insights and accelerate the adoption of transformative solutions.
The event was hosted by health tech expert Hassan Chaudhury and facilitated by event specialists Meet Health Events, in collaboration with health innovation consultancy Vita Healthcare Solutions. The day included a panel discussion led by former Health Secretary and chair of Public Policy Projects (PPP), Stephen Dorrell, and start-up pitches introduced by Amazon Web Services (AWS). Additionally, an invite-only session for high-potential start-ups, sponsors, and their partners was led by P4 and the Health Innovation Network (HIN).
“We want people across health and life sciences to harness the power of intentional interactions – ‘collisions’ – that spark ground-breaking ideas and aid progress,” said Hassan. “This event series isn’t just about discussing innovation, it was about building it together. When every stakeholder collaborates, the entire ecosystem wins.”
Participants highlighted the untapped potential of health data. While approximately 30% of all data generated by people is health-related, only 3% is actively used. If the NHS can link the data it holds, it can unlock the value of ‘one of the richest assets we have in the world’. NHS England’s Secure Data Environments were cited as a good example of health data integration.
However, accessing this data remains a significant hurdle for innovators. Other challenges include navigating the NHS’s fragmented structure, complying with regulatory requirements, and accessing the capacity to aid implementation and adoption. Solutions such as innovation units and “concierge” services were identified as potential ways to guide innovators through some of these obstacles.
Participants offered many practical ideas to eliminating barriers to progress. Innovative business models, such as multi-reimbursement approaches involving the NHS, insurers, and consumers, could provide pathways to ensure long-term viability. The event also surfaced critical questions and set the stage for ongoing dialogue.
Alex Merwin, Head of Growth, Healthcare & Life Sciences Start-ups at Amazon Web Services (AWS), was one of several highly engaging presenters, and he was impressed by incredible community assembled.
“Everybody here is touching health innovation in a different part of the continuum, and it can feel like we’re solving different problems,” he said. “But we’re all brought together with one common mission, which is to reduce the time to clinical value.”
“We are crying out to speed digital revolution into the NHS,” said Professor Sebastien Ourselin, Director of LIHE. He promoted the LIHE building as part of the infrastructure to support a thriving innovation ecosystem.
“I invite you to take advantage of this, and talk to your industry partners, engage with NHS, engage with the academic sector, and try to co create together for the benefit for patients.”
Global digital health expert Vishal Sharma echoed the sentiment of the day. “Innovation and collaboration across the spectrum are essential across complicated pathways. It was really insightful listening and engaging with health/med tech innovators, accelerators, policy makers, commissioners, healthcare providers to fellow pharmaceutical industry partners on how to navigate a data centric and complicated system.”
Grazia Antonacci, Deputy Lead for Innovation and Evaluation at NIHR ARC NWL, Imperial College London was one of the delegates. She posted: “It was an incredible opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions about the challenges of driving impactful innovation in the NHS, explore future perspectives, and emphasise the value of building win-win collaborations across both national and international health innovation ecosystems.”
Future gatherings will look to further collaboration and advance healthcare and life sciences innovation in the UK.
If you’d like to get involved, or join us at one of the 2025 Breakfast series events, please join the waitlist.