MedTech Panel Explores Innovation at Western Research Parks

The journey from idea to impact begins with collaboration, and the recent Connector Session: From Idea to Impact: Insights from MedTech Leaders at Western Research Parks showcased this principle. Co-hosted by Western Research Parks, BioNext, and the London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), the event brought together leaders in MedTech innovation to discuss how cutting-edge solutions are shaping the future of healthcare. 

The panel featured leaders who are pushing the boundaries of technology and care: 

• Dr. Rob Arntfield, Founder and CEO of Deep Breathe, highlighted the integration of AI into acute care and its transformative potential in improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency. 

• Dr. Saumik Biswas, Founder, CEO, and President of Tenomix, shared insights into optimizing pathology workflows to enhance cancer care while reducing healthcare costs. 

• Dr. Oleksiy Zaika, CTO and Co-Founder of Vessl Prosthetics, discussed innovative adjustable prosthetic technology designed to improve mobility for amputees. 

Moderated by Dr. Arash Samimi, Founder and Managing Partner at Eliomedica, the panel delivered a dynamic and engaging discussion on the opportunities and challenges facing the MedTech sector today.  

The event also underscored the role of collaboration in fostering innovation. Justin Leushner, representing BioNext, spoke about their mission to support MedTech entrepreneurs through mentorship, resources, and infrastructure. Meanwhile, Larry MacKinnon of LEDC discussed their strategic efforts to position London as a hub for innovation and economic growth, reinforcing the value of partnerships that bridge academia, industry, and community. 

The session also provided the audience with an opportunity to engage directly with the panelists, sparking insightful discussions. One question stood out, prompting a thoughtful exchange: 

Audience Question: 

Looking back to the earliest stages of your journey—ideation or the start—what’s one or two key things you wish you’d known, or advice you’d give to avoid pitfalls or challenges? 

Dr. Rob Arntfield: 

What would today me tell me from four years ago? Ultimately, you just learn by doing. Maybe I could have started sooner—that’s probably the message I’d share with anyone on the fence. In my work in the ICU, I see a lot of life’s big inflection points, often around the end of life. What I’ve learned is there’s never a ‘perfect time’ to take a big step. That applies to starting this journey too. 

The key thing I’d tell myself is that there’s a huge community of people ready to support you. That realization was really motivating for me and would have been helpful earlier. Timing is always uncertain, and while I don’t think the timing was wrong for AI in my field, I’d tell others to take the leap—they’ll find the support they need along the way. 

Dr. Saumik Biswas: 

The biggest thing for us was not being afraid to fail. In our society, we don’t always celebrate failure—it’s so focused on wins that people don’t see the long hours, the experiments that didn’t work. My advice: fail fast. Test your hypotheses quickly, learn from them, and iterate. That’s how you gain the most valuable insights. 

Another key lesson was understanding the problem deeply before building a solution. In our fellowship program, we focused on validating the problem with end-users. Rather than creating cool technology and hoping people would adopt it, we applied a scientific approach to align our tech with the needs of pathology staff and the market. 

Lastly, be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses. Surround yourself with excellent teammates who can bridge gaps. As a startup, you don’t have time for mediocrity. Diverse, strong teams allow for better decision-making and innovation. Those perspectives are essential to success. 

Dr. Oleksiy Zaika: 

I’d echo a lot of that. My two main takeaways are: first, don’t try to go it alone. You need a good co-founder—someone who complements you, challenges your decisions, and supports you through the ups and downs. Entrepreneurship is tough, and solo founders often struggle more than teams do. 

Second, get married to the problem, not the solution. You might correctly identify a problem, but if your first solution isn’t working, you need to be willing to adapt. Early on, we invested heavily in a hydraulic system that didn’t meet the constraints of our goal. After gathering data, we realized we had to pause, redesign, and pivot. Your solution isn’t the endgame—the problem and your north star should guide your decisions. 

Lastly, you’re never done collecting data. Even when you feel satisfied with your solution, you must continuously validate your assumptions. Always ask: ‘Is this still true? What new challenges or opportunities exist?’ That ongoing process keeps you grounded and prepared, especially when entrepreneurship inevitably hits a tough spot. 

Connector Sessions like this one are a vital platform for fostering connections between academia, industry, and entrepreneurship. They spark meaningful conversations, encourage collaboration, and provide a space for the exchange of ideas that drive innovation forward. 

For those who couldn’t attend, the full recording of the session is available, offering an in-depth look at the discussions and insights shared. 

 

As Western Research Parks continues to support London’s innovation district, these events play a key role in building a strong and collaborative ecosystem. By co-hosting these events with partners like LEDC and BioNext, Western Research Parks strengthens London’s position as a leader in health innovation, advanced manufacturing, and beyond. 

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At Western Research Parks, we’re committed to supporting innovation and building a thriving community of researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders. Explore our upcoming events to discover opportunities to connect, or view our available spaces if you’re interested in joining our innovation ecosystem. We look forward to welcoming you!