Nominations open for 2026 Life Sciences Week Awards
Nominations were declared open today for the Life Sciences Week 2026 Awards.
The awards recognise pioneers and innovators in the multi-billion-pound sector during Life Sciences Week, a nationally significant series of events taking place over five days in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry and elsewhere.
The five winners will be announced at Life Sciences Week 2026 gala dinner on Thursday, 24 September, in the following five categories: Advancement in patient care & health outcomes; Breakthrough innovation; Excellence in collaboration & partnerships; Outstanding contribution; and Rising star.
Professor Paul Cadman, co-founding director of Life Sciences Week and CEO of the One Thousand Trades Group, said:
Last year, the inaugural Life Sciences Week was a resounding success, and we plan to build on that strong base this year. Among the many highlights was honouring five brilliant people at the Life Sciences Week awards. We plan to repeat this moment in September, so please get your nominations in now.
Nominations can be made here.
Neil Hanley, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Medicine and Health at the University of Birmingham, said:
It is great to see this up and running again, thanks to the team at Life Sciences Week 2026. Please do nominate people across the categories. We have great people in our region and across the UK doing great things. It is only right and important that we recognise them and celebrate their achievements.
The focus of Life Sciences Week 2026, from 21 to 25 September, is “delivery of improved health outcomes and economic growth,” organisers said. The five-day series of events, launched in Birmingham last year, attracts leaders in academia, pharma, private sector business, policy and public service, including the NHS.
The rapidly expanding life sciences sector currently contributes around £6bn in GVA (gross value added) to the Midlands economy. It is forecast to need to fill around 10,000 more roles by 2030, a rise of more than a third.
This year’s Life Sciences Week seeks to build on the strong foundation laid last year as it focuses on the following four key areas:
- Pharmaceutical & biotech: drug discovery, novel therapies, global research.
- Medical technology & diagnostics: tools, devices, diagnostics, clinical practice.
- Academic institutions: university research shared with the private sector.
- Investors: emerging ventures and opening doors to capital and scaling opportunities.