Onyx Health’s #ThinkBig competition – helping life science SMEs thrive

We sat down with our Associate Director Louise Flintoft to discuss the #ThinkBig campaign to help spin-outs and SMEs in the life science sector thrive in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis

How did you get involved in the world of communications? 

I’ve worked in life science businesses both big and small and have a passion for helping SMEs make an impact in a competitive market. I started my career in R&D developing antibodies for cancer diagnosis with Newcastle University spin-out, Novacastra Laboratories. Through two subsequent acquisitions the business eventually grew to become part of large multinational diagnostics company, Leica Biosystems. 

I grew my career with them, moving from R&D to technical specialist and then into global product management, developing a talent for translating scientific detail into compelling marketing stories. This was very rewarding, though not without its challenges. It taught me a lot about the commercial potential of university spin-out’s, marketing to healthcare systems both in the UK and across the world, and the challenges of rapid growth.  

I have also experienced the challenges of working with a limited budget, reach and resource with Sunderland based SME Arquer Diagnostics, where I was responsible for the marketing and business development activity and launching their cancer diagnostics globally. I know all too well the challenges businesses face getting things off the ground.  

What is #ThinkBig?  

We recognise that business across the health and life science sectors have encountered some challenges and unique opportunities during the COVID-19 crisis. That’s why we want to do our bit to help the sector thrive. 

#ThinkBig is all about encouraging healthcare and life science start-ups and SMEs to fulfil their commercial potential by providing a suite of budget friendly packages and educational events to help you plan your marketing campaign, grow your sales and flourish. 

We believe passionately that small businesses should have access to the same healthcare expertise as large multinational corporations. Our ethos as an agency is about supporting SMEs and university spin-outs to reach their target consumers, access new markets and grow their businesses. 

How can #ThinkBig help me? 

As part of our #ThinkBig campaign, we’ve just launched a national competition for one lucky business in the health and life science sector to win £5,000 of our communications support and healthcare expertise for free. 

Our competition is aimed at innovative start-ups and SMEs in the health and life science sectors, who are at the industry’s cutting edge and can bring something extra special to the market. 

You can wow us with your innovative business by submitting an entry here. The closing date is March 9th, 2021, at 11.59pm. Sign up, so you don’t miss out. 

Why work with Onyx Health?  

One of the things that makes Onyx Health unique as an agency is our commitment to using our knowledge to create success. We have two areas of expertise that really make us stand out from other agencies.  

Firstly, we understand the science and technology behind your business. We specialise in pharmaceuticals; life sciences, MedTech and BioTech and have three decades worth of in-depth knowledge. We also have PhD level life science research and extensive global marketing experience at our disposal. This means you’ll spend less time explaining yourself and more time with us developing strategies that deliver results. 

The second thing is, we are small business specialists . We have a track record of growing businesses from university spin-outs to global companies. We have taken clients from the early days of university spin-outs to thriving companies operating in international markets.  

We know first-hand how challenging making an impact can be in healthcare and life sciences as a small business. We understand and can work with your limitations. We also understand the advantages of being small and agile and have the know–how to unlock commercial potential. For us, small businesses are exciting, and size doesn’t mean you can’t have big ambitions.  

As you grow, we adapt our advice and communications strategies to your changing needs. We’re very much in it for the journey, not just a quick win. We see your success as our success.