Life Sciences Week
Paul Cadman co-founded Life Sciences Week, a programme of events that brings the health and life sciences community together across Birmingham and the West Midlands. One Thousand Trades Group delivers the week, so researchers, clinicians, businesses and investors can meet in one place.
Held 21 to 25 September 2026
Launched at Millennium Point
More than 30 events
Why Paul Cadman started Life Sciences Week
The West Midlands has strong hospitals, universities and life sciences firms, but they do not always talk to each other. Paul Cadman saw a chance to connect them, so Life Sciences Week gives the sector a shared stage. As a result, good research has a better chance of reaching patients and markets.
2025
the first Life Sciences Week, 15 to 19 September
30+
events in the 2026 programme
5
days of events across Birmingham
Who takes part
Life Sciences Week is for anyone who shapes the future of health, such as:
- pharmaceutical and biotech companies
- medical technology and diagnostics firms
- universities and research teams
- healthcare professionals and industry leaders
- healthcare and life sciences investors
In short, if your work touches health innovation, there is a place for you in the programme.
What happens during the week
The 2026 programme filled a full week, from 21 to 25 September, with more than 30 events, from conferences and roundtables to networking and showcases. It opened with a launch conference at Millennium Point in Birmingham.
Speakers came from organisations such as Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Google and the University of Birmingham. The week also supported the UHB Charity appeal for a new PET-CT scanner. Each event linked back to the same goal: turning ideas into partnerships, investment and jobs. You can read more about the wider One Thousand Trades Group events on Paul’s Group page.
Life Sciences Week 2026 in pictures
The 2026 week ran under the theme Innovate Life, Celebrate Science. Preet Gill MP gave the opening address, and a panel on closing the gap between discovery and impact brought together speakers such as Prof. Chris Molloy, CEO of the BioIndustry Association. University Hospitals Birmingham Charity was the charity of choice.
The From Discovery to Impact panel on stage
Preet Gill MP giving the opening address
Paul Cadman with guests at the welcome board
Paul Cadman meets visitors at the exhibition
How Paul Cadman sees the Midlands life sciences opportunity
The region already has many of the pieces it needs, such as leading universities, large NHS trusts and a big, diverse population. Paul Cadman believes Life Sciences Week can help those pieces work together.
Research and health innovation
Birmingham’s university and two NHS hospital trusts sit side by side, and the new Birmingham Health Innovation Campus builds on that. Its first building opened in 2025, with the Precision Health Technologies Accelerator as its anchor resident. Paul advised the accelerator, as his AI and innovation page explains.
Support for growing firms
Life sciences is also a national priority. For example, the government’s Office for Life Sciences champions research, innovation and technology in health and care. Meanwhile, regional programmes help firms find funding, partners and space to grow. Life Sciences Week helps them meet investors face to face.
Skills and jobs
Growth in the sector creates jobs at every level, from lab technicians to data scientists. As a result, skills matter as much as science, and local people across the West Midlands should share in the opportunity it brings. You can read about Paul’s wider employment and skills work to see how the two connect.
Join Paul Cadman at the next Life Sciences Week
Dates, speakers and tickets for each year’s programme appear on the official website, so visit it to plan your week.