
JAWDROP is back!
The Jawdrop Life Sciences Summit is organised by Imperial College London and Upstream Nexus (a partnership between Imperial and Hammersmith & Fulham Council) and takes place in the White City Innovation District (WCID). 2025 will be its third year and as always, prepare for some jaw-dropping innovations & insights.
Dive into the cutting-edge science and innovation reshaping the future of health at the Jawdrop Summit. This year, we’re exploring how ground-breaking 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 brings together world-leading experts, pioneering companies, and visionary investors.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the conversations driving change in global healthcare.
Where we will be: The White City Innovation District (WCID) is at the heart of the ‘innovation borough’ that is Hammersmith & Fulham. Imperial’s White City Campus is a platform for innovation, entrepreneurship and multidisciplinary research. Here, Imperial is pioneering new ways of partnering and co-location through an entrepreneurial ecosystem with support, resources and facilities that span ideation, growth and acceleration. Since 2017, there has been £6 billion of investment in businesses based in H&F, which is three-quarters of the total for West London – and over 13,000 new jobs. Of this investment, £1.8 billion is in life sciences. WCID is the home to Novartis, Autolus and Synthace whilst Hammersmith is home to Orchard Therapeutics, Medidata. Across the borough, there are growing Life Science start-ups, including many with their roots in Imperial.
Why attend?
- Connect, Collaborate & Grow: Jawdrop is where industry, researchers and investors come together to shape the future.
- Discover Opportunities: Meet investors, showcase innovations & explore business development.
- One-on-One Partnering Platform for Industry & Researchers: Get those meetings in the diary before you rock up! Maximise your event experience with one-one-one meetings.
4 Experience It All: Insights, a dynamic startup showcase & an unmissable closing party—be part of 2025’s most vibrant Life Sciences event!
Agenda
- 10:30: Registration
- 11:00: Welcome & Keynotes
- 11:30: Panel 1: Cracking the Code: Obesity, Nutrition, and the Science of Personalised Health
- 12:30: Lunch & Networking
- 14:00: Panel 2: Brainstorms & Beyond: New Frontiers in Dementia Research & Care
- 15:00: Break & Networking
- 15:30: Start-up Showcase
- 16:00: Panel 3: Fundraising Perspectives from Investors & Start-ups
- 17:00 – 19:30: Party
Panels
This year, we’re exploring how groundbreaking medical research and advancements can help keep us healthy both physically and mentally.
- Panel 1: Cracking the Code: Obesity, Nutrition, and the Science of Personalised Health. Explore major developments in metabolic health – is solving obesity the way to unlock overall better health?
- Panel 2: Brainstorms & Beyond: New Frontiers in Dementia Research & Care. The average lifespan may be peaking but 55 million people already suffer from dementia and that number will only increase. How can we step back from the precipice?
- Panel 3: Fundraising Perspectives from Investors & Startups. What does it take to succeed with your fundraising? Learn from top investors and innovative startups.
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 (Novo Nordisk)
- 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 & start-ups
- Dinika Mahtani: Partner (Cherry VC)
- Karolina Zapadka: Life Science Investor (Parkwalk)
- John Anderson: Chief Investment Officer (Imperial College London)
- Mathhieu Vallin: Investor (Octopus Ventures)
- Robin Carr: Chief Executive Officer (Myricx Bio)
Ticketing
To enhance networking opportunities, we are introducing paid tickets for 2025. Free tickets remain available for current staff and students of Imperial College London, Imperial NHS Trust, and life sciences businesses based in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. To qualify for free tickets, please register using your Imperial or work email address. The organisers reserve the right to deny free tickets if eligibility cannot be verified.