Jawdrop LIFE SCIENCES SUMMIT 2025:

Convening industry, academia, the NHS, government & investors to explore how the UK Life Sciences can create a healthier future for us all.

This event took place on Tuesday 11th February 2025 in front of a sold-out audience at the Molecular Science Research Hub (MSRH).

Now in its third year, the Jawdrop Life Sciences Summit is organised by Imperial College London and Upstream Nexus (a partnership between Imperial and Hammersmith & Fulham Council) and is hosted in White City Innovation District.

This first edition of 2025 explored how groundbreaking medical research and advancements can help keep us healthy both physically and mentally. Featuring panels on obesity and personalised nutrition, dementia research and care, and investment in life sciences, the summit brought together world-leading experts, pioneering companies, and visionary investors.

Speakers

Panel 1: Cracking the Code: Obesity, Nutrition, and the Science of Personalised Health

Professor Gary Frost

Chair of Nutrition and Dietetics (Imperial College London); Director (Melico)

Professor Tricia Tan

Consultant in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Medicine (Imperial College London & NHS Trust)

Chris Edson

CEO (Second Nature)

BILL HAYNES

Corporate Vice President, Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford

Matthew Coghlan

Vice-President, Eli Lilly and Company

Panel 2: Brainstorms & beyond: New frontiers in Dementia research & care

Professor David Sharp

Director of Care Research & Technology Centre (UK Dementia Research Institute)

Dr. Francesco Aprile

Senior Lecturer in Biological Chemistry and UKRI Future Leaders Fellow (Imperial College London) 

Katharine Willmette

Director Adult Social Care (LBHF)

David Reynolds PhD

Venture Partner (Dementia Discovery Fund)

ROBERT LAI

VP Clinical Development Lead, GSK

Panel 3: Fundraising: Perspectives from investors & startups

Dinika Mahtani

Partner (Cherry VC)

Karolina Zapadka

Life Science Investor (Parkwalk)

ROBIN CARR

Chief Executive Officer (Myricx)

John Anderson

Chief Investment Officer (Imperial College London)

MATTHIEU VALLIN

Investor, Octopus Ventures