Dave Taggart, member of the Business Isle of Man agency board and chairman of the Manx Biomed Association

Cannabis for medical use will be on the agenda at this week’s annual Manx Biomed conference.

Organisers say that the matter will be discussed as a precursor to forthcoming consultation in the island on regulation of hemp and medicinal cannabis.

The drug was recently legalised for medical use in the UK.

Organisers have invited an organisation called iCAN who are global regulatory cannabis business and science advisors to attend the event on Thursday.

A conference spokesman said they will be sharing their knowledge of international regulatory matters for medicinal cannabis and first-hand experience of establishing a respected regulatory system supporting development of a scientific research-based industry in Israel.

Now in its sixth year, the full day programme reflects the diverse interests of the sector which include medical devices, genomics, pharmacovigilance, bioseparations and healthcare applications.

The sector, which includes health and life sciences, is continuing to grow and several companies currently exploring the Isle of Man as a base for their operations will be present at the event.

The programme not only includes an opportunity to hear from some of the companies already operating here but also includes international speakers looking at current topics relevant to the sector.

The event will be opened by Laurence Skelly MHK, Minister for Enterprise.

Mr Skelly said: ’The Biomed sector is a key pillar of our Business Isle of Man Agency and I’m delighted to support the conference again this year.

’Working together we can continue to identify niche areas to develop, drive forward major decisions, and find ways to harness and nurture the innovation that already exist in the Isle of Man.

’This will not only benefit our Manx Biomed cluster, but will help establish our international reputation and success more generally.’

Guest speaker Douglas Dong, chief executive, China Pilot Free Trade Zone and chief representative, Shanghai Foreign Investment Development, will join a panel of experts to discuss current and future alliances between China and the Isle of Man in health and life sciences.

A spokesman for Manx Biomed said: ’We will also hear from Glycyx Therapeutics, a relatively new company but with long established links to the island, on why collaboration is a pre requisite for success in health and life sciences.’

Dave Taggart, member of the Business Isle of Man Agency Board and chairman of the Manx Biomed Association said: ’Collaboration between sector members is something we are pleased to have seen work extremely successfully since Manx Biomed was first established, with members combining expertise and services to produce solutions and on occasions new ventures.’

The event is taking place at Villa Marina Broadway Cinema and Colonnade Suite, on Thursday [December 6].

It will be an opportunity to catch up with existing healthcare sector companies, meet new arrivals and hear about innovative future healthcare business opportunities being developed globally and in the Isle of Man.

For more information or to attend contact [email protected] or phone 640400.