Neil Loy, CEO and Founder of MediPacks, has spoken of the start-up's delight at being awarded The Elevator Pitch Award at INVENT 2024, in a glittering award ceremony held in the ICC Belfast on Thursday 3 October.
Organised by science and technology hub Catalyst with headline partner Bank of Ireland UK, INVENT is the highlight event of the year for early-stage start-ups and aspiring entrepreneurs to showcase their innovations to a panel of expert judges.
Neil, who is a pharmacist, tells Sync NI how the business is focused on revolutionising emergency care, starting with heart attacks.
Neil comments: "The idea stemmed from a deep desire to improve patient outcomes by enhancing their understanding of medications and promoting adherence. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of preventable deaths globally, accounting for a third of the total - many of which are avoidable with timely intervention.
"As a pharmacist, I’ve witnessed the devastating consequences of delayed heart attack treatment outside the hospital. It’s one thing to survive a heart attack, but the real challenge is in the impact that delayed care has on long-term quality of life and healthcare costs. This motivated myself and our Co-Founder Carl McKeown to search for a better solution.
"After extensive research into drug delivery systems and consumer challenges with existing solutions, we identified a gap for a more portable and user-friendly product. Through rigorous R&D, prototyping, and engagement with some policymakers, we developed a product that’s received overwhelmingly positive feedback from early viability studies and potential customers. This has only strengthened our passion to bring this life-saving innovation to market."
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Neil's fascination with science and how it can be used to solve real-world problems began at a young age, alongside a passion for biology and chemistry. This combination led Neil to pursue a career within the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, where he has been able to combine his passion for technology with his desire to improve patient lives.
Neil adds: "With four out of five siblings working as medical doctors, our home was always a place that had a chemistry set or a game of ‘Operation’ on the go.
"My adoration for STEM now means I find myself working on a daily basis, with some of the greatest pharmacists in the pharmaceutical industry, both here and in North America. They are my inspiration and driving force behind being able to visualise global change."
Pictured: Neil Loy and Carl McKeown
Neil grew up deeply inspired by Sir Allen McClay and Professor Frank Pantridge. Sir Allen, a Tyrone born entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded the pharmaceutical businesses, Galen and Almac, would subsequently become known as the Founder of Northern Ireland's first £1billion company. Meanwhile, Frank Pantridge’s invention of the portable defibrillator revolutionised cardiology and has saved countless lives despite initial resistance. The USA quickly adopted his invention in the 1970s, and it famously saved President Lyndon B. Johnson’s life in 1972. However, it took until the early 1990s for the NHS to fully implement this innovation in the UK, after Ken Clarke announced its roll-out to ambulances.
Belfast was once known as 'the safest place in the world to have a heart attack' and nearly 60 years later, Neil is determined to ensure that such delays in life-saving technology don’t happen again.
Neil comments: "Today, I’m fortunate to have a business mentor who has been instrumental in guiding me through the challenges of entrepreneurship, offering invaluable insights as we scale the company. Having previously been the MD of a global company, my father-in-law is always there when I need advice.
"It was an incredible honour to be named one of the 12 finalists for INVENT 2024. This recognition validates all the hard work that has gone into developing our flagship product throughout the years of long evenings and weekends, strengthening our resolve to make a meaningful impact in emergency medicine. It’s both humbling and energising to be recognised alongside such innovative start-ups.
"Winning ‘The Elevator Pitch Award- Sponsored by Harbinson Mullholland Chartered Accountants’ on 3 October has given us the continued affirmation all businesses seek. The Elevator Pitch Award is a 60 Second Pitch to the audience of roughly 500 people. We had to communicate the concept and share the ambition. The public then decides the winner. It’s a highly validating experience. It not only gives us exposure and further credibility but also helps open doors to resources that could accelerate our growth and help us reach a wider market, ultimately saving lives. This recognition reaffirmed the importance of our mission of innovation in emergency care and improving patient outcomes on a global scale."
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In terms of short term goals, the team behind the start-up aims to continue to educate patients, policymakers, and medical professionals on the importance of early intervention, much like the portable defibrillator did decades ago.
"Early education and implementation are key," Neil explains. "We are currently developing a global educational database to further this mission and have plans to continue work with policymakers to bring about life-saving change."
In the long term, MediPacks plan to expand their pipeline of life-saving products, educational tools, and innovations that alleviate worry and streamline responses to other medical emergencies through data and technology.
Neil summarises: "Most importantly, if you are an Angel that shares in our global mission, if you have influence in this field, or know someone responsible for setting emergency protocols for suspected heart attacks in your country or region, let’s work together to save lives and reduce costs for everyone. Imagine being able to save the life of another United States President with an innovation from ‘Our Wee Place’. Contact us to see how you can help."
Find out more about MediPacks here.
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