Ground-breaking cancer care innovation earns top honour

VasoDynamics Ltd, a Stevenage-based biopharmaceutical company, has been awarded the Innovation Award at the 2025 PING Conference. The award, recognising innovation in the pharmaceuticals and life sciences sectors, celebrates individuals and companies making a meaningful impact on people’s lives.

Presented by national law firm and pharmaceuticals specialists VWV, the award was handed to VasoDynamics’ Founder and CEO, Dr Ninfeng Fiona Li, by Paul Gershlick, VWV Partner and Chair of PING, and Adrian Hawkins OBE, Chair of Hertfordshire Futures.

VasoDynamics was honoured for its transformative work in developing costeffective, patient-friendly treatments that reduce some of the most harmful side effects of cancer therapies, including oral mucositis, radiodermatitis and chemotherapy-induced hair loss. Early clinical trials show promising results.

Accepting the award, Dr Li explained that her motivation is rooted in personal experience as well as professional expertise. “We are deeply honoured to have received this recognition from our local community,” she said. “We innovate not just as doctors, scientists or professionals, but as children, friends and family of those whose lives have been impacted by cancer. Our focus is on preventing the side effects of cancer treatments because we believe that dealing with difficult diseases is like fighting on a battlefield – we must be equipped with protective shields as well as sharp swords.”

Reflecting on the team and partnerships that have supported VasoDynamics’ success, she added: “This award reflects the collective effort of our incredible team, supportive mentors and partners such as Pharmidex and the extremely supportive local community. Without you all, we could not have come this far. Thank you also to the PING award committee for acknowledging our work – this recognition motivates us to keep moving forward towards the next breakthrough.”

The PING Conference, held at the historic Old Palace at Hatfield House, focused on the theme of sustainability, a topic rapidly becoming a core requirement for the pharmaceuticals sector. The event gathered more than 120 industry leaders to discuss practical steps for reducing environmental impact across the life sciences landscape.

Andrew Lewin MP, representing Welwyn Hatfield, opened the conference and reinforced the critical role of the life sciences sector in both local and national economies. Paul Gershlick highlighted the growing imperative for sustainability across the sector, stating, “Sustainability is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’; it’s a defining challenge that must be met by every part of the industry.”

Presentations ranged from Peter Morgan (NHS England) on the NHS’s sustainability expectations to Emily Slupek (Savills) on greener building strategies and Cassandra Brown (Manufacture 2030) on tackling Scope 3 emissions. Other contributors – including Richard Charter (CHLOE Healthcare Advisory Group), Helene Wilson (Nordic Pharma), Prof Dr Funke Abimbola MBE and Dr Matthew Konneh – covered topics from AI’s role in sustainability to the impact of sustainability on talent attraction. The conference also heard practical strategies on sustainable supply chains, the business case for sustainability strategies and circular product life cycles, with Andrew Griffiths of Planet Mark concluding: “The pharmaceuticals sector has a massive role to play in sustainability and Net Zero –both by supporting society’s adaptation to climate-driven health challenges and by reducing its own emissions.”

Adrian Hawkins summarised the day, saying: “This conference has been filled with insightful discussion and inspiring presentations. Sustainability is central to our region’s future – Hertfordshire has a bright future, and the life sciences sector will play a pivotal role in shaping it.”