Medilink North of England is marking a major milestone as it celebrates 30 years of supporting innovation and growth in the UK’s life sciences sector with a high-profile awards evening in Sheffield.
The event on Thursday 30th April at the iconic Cutlers’ Hall, is set to bring together leaders from across industry, academia, and healthcare to recognise outstanding achievements in areas such as medical technology, digital health, and innovation. Over the past three decades, Medilink has played a key role in connecting businesses, fostering collaboration, and accelerating the development of cutting-edge healthcare solutions across the UK.
The anniversary celebration will highlight not only the organisation’s legacy but also the rapid evolution of the life sciences sector, from early biotech breakthroughs in the 1990s to today’s advances in AI-driven diagnostics, precision medicine, and wearable health technologies.
Award categories will showcase excellence in innovation, export achievement, partnership working, and emerging companies, reflecting the breadth and dynamism of the sector. The evening will also provide networking opportunities for startups, established firms, investors, sponsors and policymakers.
Richard Stubbs, Chief Executive Officer at Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber and a supporter of the Medilink awards for over 12 years said: “Medilink is such an important part of the UK’s health innovation ecosystem. It is fantastic to be holding this year’s awards back in Sheffield where it all began, recognising how Medilink grew into an organisation that now has a significant global reach and impact. Well done to everyone who has contributed to three decades of success. I look forward to celebrating this special occasion and delighted to be sponsoring this years’ Innovation Award.”
Medilink are delighted to announce the companies and organisations that have been shortlisted for an award, as:
INNOVATION AWARD
Agemaspark, Aptamer Group, Equans Sci-Tech, Gold Standard Phantoms, JRI Orthopaedics and STEPS Rehabilitation.
EXPORT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
BR Pharmaceuticals, Enteral Access Technologies, LabLogic Group, Medasil Surgical and Viveca Biomed.
ADVANCES IN DIGITAL HEALTHCARE AWARD
Blüm Health, CardioLogic, Healthy IO, InViva Digital Healthcare and Open Medical.
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NHS AWARD
Air Glove Medical, Karol Marketing, Kromek, Sanofi and SleepCogni.
PARTNERSHIP WITH ACADEMIA AWARD
DePuy Synthes UK and the University of Leeds, GE Healthcare and Polaris Group and Sheffield University, InViva Digital Healthcare and the University of Bradford, Ocuwell and SHELTA and the University of Liverpool and Revela and Durham University.
START UP AWARD
Asclepius MedTech, ClotProtect, InvenireX, Mitotype Precision Labs and NANOncolytics.
SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
Abingdon Health, Fibre Extrusion Technology, Orthoplastics, Steri-Pod Group and Viveca Biomed.
INVESTMENT AWARD
Abingdon Health, InvenireX, Lant Medical, LightOx and Nunabio.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Abingdon Analytical, LightOx, Mast Group, Orthoplastics and The Real Birth Company.
PRIMARY/SOCIAL CARE PARTNERSHIP AWARD
Carpe Care, Mast Group, Sanofi, Steri-Pod Group and The 360 Technology Group.
ONE TO WATCH AWARD
Sheffield Health Partnership, COVVI and Microneedle Solutions.
Medilink are grateful to the following sponsors of the awards: Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, Health Innovation Manchester, Health Innovation North West Coast, Health Innovation North East & North Cumbria, Clear Capital Exchange, MFL Insurance Group, EPSRC Yorkshire Medtech IAA, Leyton, Hill Dickinson LLP, Haseltine Lake Kempner, MHA Bakertilly, RBC Brewin Dolphin, UKRI Science & Technology Facilities Council and Swift / Haddletons.
We are proud to announce our Charity Partner for this year as Sheffield Hospitals Charity, helping Sheffield’s hospitals, community teams, mental health and specialist services to cover costs their NHS budgets can’t. They fund support for patients and staff, life-changing research and more, enhancing care from birth to the end of life and everything in between.
Medilink North of England, is a professional membership association and specialist consultancy for the life sciences sector, part of Medilink UK, it helps businesses to innovate and prosper by improving sector connectivity and identifying opportunities, as well as helping organisations to grow by providing cost-effective consultancy support to become more competitive and profitable.
For more information about the Medilink Healthcare Business Awards 2026 and to book your place, please visit https://medilink.co.uk/healthcare-business-awards/
