There are hopes a conference planned in the Island later this year will attract leading scientists in the field of bio medicine and help grow a niche sector here.

The Island's already host to a number of specialist bio and medical technology companies.

Now, the Department of Economic Development is actively backing efforts to attract new companies, including manufacturers, to use the Island as a base.

It's hoped Island service providers will offer expertise to bio-med companies in areas such as intellectual property and licensing.

Courtenay Heading is the government's inward investment advisor for the Manx bio-med cluster.

He says they want to attract key players in the sector to attend the conference next winter: