ECR Conference | 8-9 JULY 2025

Conference Programme - click here to download!

Conference Proceedings - click here to download!

Keynote Speakers

Liz Fletcher - Director of Business Engagement and Operations at Industrial Biotechnology Innovation centre (IBioIC)

Profile:

Liz joined the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation centre (IBioIC) in March 2021 as Director of Business Engagement and Operations, managing the day-to-day operational aspects of IBioIC. Her main role is to shape IBioIC's strategy, delivering its aims of building new opportunities and accelerating commercialisation of industrial biotechnology for Scotland. Liz has had a career spanning life sciences and biotechnology from research roles in academia (Sydney, Toronto and Cambridge, UK), the biotech industry (Allelix Biopharmaceuticals), science and business journalism (FT and Nature Biotechnology), technology transfer (University of Southampton) and economic development (Scottish Enterprise). Before joining IBioIC, she led operations at the UK Centre for Mammalian Synthetic Biology at the University of Edinburgh.

Keynote Abstract:

Mapping the journey from lab bench to marketplace for (environmental) biotechnologies

Biotechnology leverages the power of biology to solve complex problems and create innovative solutions across various sectors – from healthcare, agriculture, consumers goods and energy. However, translating any biotechnology research into a commercial product or service involves many steps and requires overcoming multiple challenges. This keynote will look at that journey, examining the pitfalls facing the biotechnology entrepreneur and the unique challenges facing the environmental biotechnology researcher. It will provide a guide to the innovation ecosystem that exists across the UK to help support that journey, and some top tips on where to go for help.  

Beatrix Ellis - CEO of GitLife Biotech

Profile:

Beatrix Ellis is an accomplished biotech executive with over 25 years of global leadership experience in biotech, chemicals, and the food industry. Beatrix has played a pivotal role in scaling start-ups from seed to Series A and beyond, securing multi-million-dollar partnerships, and leading market expansions. As CEO of GitLife Biotech, she is driving fundraising and commercial growth, leveraging her expertise in bringing cutting-edge technologies to market.

Keynote Abstract:

Securing Investment and Building Resilience from Pre-Seed to Series A in UK Bio Startups

This keynote offers a candid exploration of the investment journey for biotech startups in the UK, from pre-seed to Series A. Drawing on her experience building and scaling startups across Europe and the UK, Beatrix Ellis unpacks what it truly takes to make a venture fundable — and survivable — in the early stages.

Attendees will gain clarity on:

• The UK’s investment landscape: who funds what, when, and why.
• Crafting a fundable story: what investors really care about at each stage.
• The human side of scaling: how to build resilient teams, handle setbacks, and stay mission-focused in tough markets.

Whether you're planning your first pitch deck, forming your founding team, or just wondering what “commercial readiness” really means, this session is designed to empower early-career researchers with actionable insights into turning deep tech into investable, scalable ventures.

Dr Dayal Saran - Senior Vice President - Research at Allonia

Profile:

Dr. Dayal Saran is a distinguished leader in synthetic biology and biotechnology, with over two decades of experience driving innovation across multiple sectors, including environmental sustainability, pharmaceuticals, biofuels, flavors and fragrances, and plant-based foods. Currently, Dr. Saran serves as Senior Vice President at Allonnia, where he leads multimillion-dollar biomining projects and develops biological processes for metal recovery and contaminant degradation. Dr. Saran was a founding scientist at Motif Foodworks and held key roles at Synlogic, Ginkgo Bioworks, Evolva, and Codexis. He holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Indiana University and an M.S. in Bioorganic Chemistry from IIT Kanpur.

Keynote Abstract:

From Lab to Field: Overcoming Deployment Barriers and Leading Safe, Scalable Biological Solutions for a Cleaner Future

Biotechnology and synthetic biology hold transformative potential for solving critical environmental challenges, but success in the lab often fails to translate into real-world impact. Many promising innovations stumble when scaling due to high production costs, logistical complexity, and deployment inefficiencies. A significant barrier is regulatory scrutiny—especially around the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)—which raises concerns about biosafety, environmental risk, and public acceptance. These obstacles have slowed the commercial adoption of bio-based solutions.
In this keynote, I will discuss how Allonnia is addressing these challenges head-on. As a bio-ingenuity company, Allonnia is developing and deploying field-ready technologies that are economical, safe, scalable, and environmentally responsible. This approach blends cutting-edge biology with practical engineering and regulatory foresight. By working closely with industry, government agencies, and regulatory bodies, Allonnia ensures its solutions meet rigorous safety standards while remaining cost-effective and commercially viable.

Professional Development Sessions

This professional development session will be run by Lissa Herron.

Lissa is the Deputy Director and Head of Enterprise at Converge. She obtained her PhD in neurobiology from the University of St Andrews in 2008, and after nearly a decade of post-doctoral research, made the commercialisation leap through a Royal Society of Edinburgh Enterprise Fellowship and Converge in 2017. Her project ‘Eggcellent Proteins’ was based on the chicken biotechnology research of Professor Helen Sang at The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, where Lissa was a post-doc. A year after taking the project from the university into the company Roslin Technologies, Lissa joined the Converge team as Enterprise Manager.

The Why, How, and Impact of Research Commercialisation: Commercialisation of research is becoming increasingly important and valued by universities, funding bodies and governments. This workshop will cover the value of research commercialisation, the different ways in which research can be commercialised, and what the pathways to commercialisation can look like in British universities. Participants will explore how ideas and knowledge from research can be turned into commercial opportunities based on challenges in their own research. By the end of this workshop, you should understand:

• What it means to commercialise research from a university
• Why research commercialisation is beneficial to universities and researchers
• The common routes and methods to commercialise research
• Different forms of commercialisation to maximise impact, including ethical business models
• First steps to take if you want to commercialise your research

Pentland Suite, John McIntyre Conference Centre
18 Holyrood Park Road
City of Edinburgh
EH16 5AY

View Venue

• Registration is now closed
• Standard registration fees for this two-day conference: £250 per delegate.
• EBIC team members benefit from free registrations to the event. Please make sure to indicate your affiliation to EBIC on the registration form.

If you missed out on this conference, but would like to be informed of future events, why not sign up to EBIC membership? It’s free and we will keep you posted on all future events. Sign up here.

There are a number of hotels and other accommodation options close to the conference centre. During the summer they can book up quickly - so we recommend you book early.

• Hotels in Edinburgh | University of Edinburgh Hospitality Collection
• Summer Accommodation in Edinburgh | University of Edinburgh Hospitality Collection
• Edinburgh City Centre (Princes Street) Hotel | Premier Inn
• ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge
• Ten Hill Place Hotel - Edinburgh | Ten Hill Place Hotel
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Edinburgh City Centre

For further information on the event, please contact: info@ebicentre.co.uk