Business Weekly - Cambridge, UK

ERBI CEO, Dr Jeff Solomon has already begun recruiting staff for the new venture

ERBI, the region’s biotechnology facilitator, has been appointed to head the initiative. Having already inspired the local biotech cluster to become the No.1 in Europe and in the world elite, ERBI is confident of similar success with the new body.

ERBI has already started the process of recruiting a senior person and support staff to drive the venture forward.

The work of Medilink East will be absorbed into a separate division of ERBI and Medilink director Dave Revitt will step aside after a suitable hand-over period.

Medilink chairman Alan Barrell said: “Medilink East has served its member companies with a very high level of service and support for many years. The region is strong in medical technology, devices and diagnostics, having one of the largest regional clusters of such companies in Europe.

“This strength has been partly due to the enablement of connectivity and networking and a constant flow of the latest helpful information which Medilink East has provided.

“David Revitt, as director of Medilink East, has worked with energy and passion in support of the MedTech cause and participating companies and the Medilink East board wish to thank him, on behalf of all members, as he hands over the baton at the beginning of a new era for companies in the sector.

“I am convinced that the consolidation of health industry interests within the new, expanded ERBI organisation is the best way forward for all concerned.

“With the convergence of technologies within healthcare diagnostics, drug delivery, sensors etc, this new mode of operation will ensure the region makes best use of its strengths within the biotech and medtech sectors.”

Jeff Solomon, CEO of ERBI added: “We are very pleased to offer the medical technology network community access to ERBI’s infrastructure, and particularly our expertise in building and growing a self-financing membership based company, especially as the biotech and medtech sectors continue to converge.

“We believe the members of Medilink East will also benefit by having access to some of ERBI’s current activities undertaken by our special interest groups, as well as ERBI’s training and purchasing programmes.

“We look forward to growing the community over the coming years; there is certainly a lot of exciting medical technology emanating from the region that can be brought to the attention of an international marketplace.”