We are delighted to have the following experts speaking at our virtual conference, taking place on 14 May 2025:
Valeria Capone
Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italia
Abstract presentation: Antimicrobial Therapies for Early-Onset Group B Streptococcal sepsis: Insights from an Italian Multicenter Study.
Professor Jane Daniels
Professor of Clinical Trials, University of Nottingham
Since 2017, Jane has been Professor of Clinical Trials and Deputy Director of the Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit. She is particularly interested in pelvic pain and menstrual disorders, and in neonatal sepsis, leading the GBS3 trial. Her research has been published in all major general medical journals and she is a member of funding committees for the UK National Institute of Health and Care Research and Wellbeing of Women.
Talk Title: GBS3 Trial Update
I will provide a brief update on the GBS3 Trial, which has completed recruitment in the UK. Unfortunately, I will not be presenting the final trial results, but will be able to give you some emerging facts and figures.
Tanmay Kumar Das
Research Scholar, Birmingham City University
Tanmay Kumar Das is a biotechnologist with over 20 years of experience in molecular diagnostics, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), and translational research. He is currently based at the Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, where he focuses on high-throughput whole-genome sequencing for Hepatitis B, C, and D viruses, and developing NGS pipeline for low viral load samples. His doctoral research at Birmingham City University focuses on creating a rapid nanopore-based sequencing test for the early detection of neonatal bacterial meningitis. This innovation has earned him several accolades, including the MedTech SuperConnector award from Imperial College London and first prizes at the BCU STEAM House Hatchery and Santander Innovation Fest.
Tanmay has previously worked with Oxford Nanopore Technologies Ltd., the University of Copenhagen, Denmark and leading Pharmaceuticals & biotech firms Ranbaxy (now Avantor) and Cadila Pharmaceuticals in India, contributing to the development of diagnostic kits and vaccines for HIV, HCV, HBV, and TB. His expertise spans wet lab protocol development, bioinformatics, and regulatory-compliant diagnostic innovation across both academic and industrial settings.
Abstract presentation: Development of the next generation sequencing technology for the prevention of neonatal meningitis.
Dr Jeannett Dimsits
Vice President Clinical development, MinervaX
Jeannett has 25 years of drug development experience from various large and small pharma. Her passion is driving new treatment and prophylaxis options to unmet medical needs, with a focus on late stage development, patients and site engagement.
Talk Title: Immunogenicity and safety of a Group B Streptococcus AlpN vaccine, GBS-AlpN, in pregnant women and their infants
The presentation will include the results from MinervaX phase 2 trial on the maternal GBS-NN/NN2 vaccine: To assess immunogenicity and safety of four vaccination schedules with an investigational Group B Streptococcus (GBS) vaccine (GBS-AlpN) in pregnant women and their infants.
Dr Jim Gray
Consultant Microbiologist, Birmingham Women’s & Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
Jim Gray has been a Consultant Microbiologist at Birmingham Children’s and Women’s Hospitals in England since 1995. Jim has authored well over one hundred papers on infection-related topics and has a longstanding research interest in the diagnosis of GBS. Jim has also been a member of NICE and WHO Guideline Development Groups on topics related to neonatal infection.
Talk title: GBS testing: a tale of the tortoise and the hare – is there a winner?
Culture of bacteria in Petri dishes containing solid culture media was developed over 135 years ago and remains the mainstay of diagnosis of most bacterial infections throughout the world. As a diagnostic method, culture it is versatile, inexpensive and does not require expensive or complex laboratory equipment. Culture methods can be adapted to enhance the growth of specific bacteria of interest (such as GBS). For the very best sensitivity, enrichment culture is used, where samples are first inoculated into liquid media, which after incubation is subcultured onto solid media. The major drawback of culture is the time taken to obtain results, because each stage in the process requires overnight incubation. Molecular tests such as PCR can give results in minutes rather than the days required for culture. However, these tests are expensive and require specialised equipment. This talk will consider whether slow but steady culture can still win the GBS diagnostic race, or whether we should now be backing rapid molecular tests.
Marleen Groenveld
PHD Student, Amsterdam UMC
Marleen Groenveld is a PhD student at the Neuroinfection Research Group at the Amsterdam UMC in the Netherlands. Her research focuses on the clinical characteristics and molecular epidemiology of neonatal sepsis and meningitis caused by Group B Streptococcus and E. coli (the NOGBS study in the Netherlands). Marleen studied Medicine at the University of Utrecht and worked for two years at the pediatric department before she started her PhD. She lives in Amsterdam with her husband.
Abstract Presentation: Neonatal Group B Streptococcus disease in the Netherlands, 1987-2024: epidemiology and vaccine coverage
Marleen will look at how group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection in newborn babies has changed in the Netherlands between 1987 and 2024. GBS is still a growing problem for newborns. Marleen will also explore how well different vaccines might protect against GBS infection.
Carly Hayton
Carly Hayton
Research Midwife, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Talk title: Using an intrapartum test-based GBS prevention strategy
Heidi Hollands
Senior Research Midwife – University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Heidi is a Senior Clinical Research Midwife at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust and Regional GBS3 Research Midwife [2021-2023]
Talk Title: Experience of routine antenatal testing for Group B Strep as part of the GBS3 trial at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.
Heidi’s presentation explores the experience of embedding Enriched Culture Medium [ECM] testing for GBS into routine antenatal care at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust [UHP] as part of the GBS3 trial.
Malene Risager Lykke
PHD Student, Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
Malene is a PhD student at the Department of Clinical Epidemiology at Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital. She is currently investigating the associations between neonatal, invasive group B Streptococcus disease and long-term neurological outcomes.
Abstract presentation: Early academic performance following neonatal, invasive Group B Streptococcus disease in Denmark. Malene will provide an evaluation of early academic performance following Group B Strep compared to a matched comparison cohort from 2010 to 2019 in the national Danish population.
Dr Theresa Lamagni
Section Head, Healthcare-Associated Infection & Antimicrobial Resistance, UK Health Security Agency
Dr Theresa Lamagni is a Section Head Healthcare-Associated Infection & Antimicrobial Resistance Division of the UK Health Security Agency and designated epidemiologist for the WHO Collaborating Centre for Streptococcal Diseases. She has worked in public health for over 25 years. During this time, she completed an MSc in Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and a PhD at the University of Helsinki. Theresa has strategic responsibility for surveillance of streptococcal diseases in England, providing expert support to outbreak and incident response and contributing to the development of an evidence base to inform disease prevention programmes.
Talk Title: Update on GBS disease trends in England
Prof Kirsty Le Doare
Professor of vaccinology and immunology, City St George’s University of London
Kirsty is an expert in maternal and neonatal immunisation, specialising in group B Streptococcus (GBS) vaccines. She supports vaccine development and licensure globally, working in the UK and low- and middle-income countries with organisations like WHO to advance immunisation strategies that protect mothers and infants.
Talk Title: Group B Strep vaccines in the UK, when will we get them?
Kirsty will provide an overview of the progress towards group B Streptococcal vaccines in the UK.
Dr Stephanie Lyons
Lecturer in Health Psychology, University of Manchester
Dr Stephanie Lyons is a Lecturer in Health Psychology and qualitative researcher at The University of Manchester. Her research interests involve women’s health, particularly supporting women and their families during pregnancy, postpartum and beyond. She has recently begun a programme of research to support families who experience late-onset group B Strep infections.
Abstract Presentation: The experiences of parents and caregivers of infants who develop late-onset Group B Strep infections. Late-onset GBS infection is not currently preventable. Little is known about the impact on families. A qualitative interview study, informed by parents and caregivers with lived experience, is underway. Findings from Patient & Public Involvement workshops and early interviews will be shared.
Cécile Meex
Clinical Microbiologist, University Hospital of Liege
Cécile currently holds the position of laboratory manager at University Hospital of Liege, her areas of interest include sepsis diagnosis, antibiotic resistance, automation in bacteriology, and group B Streptococcus, to which she is currently dedicating her doctoral thesis as part of her activities of the National Reference Center in Belgium.
Abstract Presentation: Clinical Evaluation of the Xpert® Xpress GBS (Cepheid) Test Performed by Midwives as a Point-of-Care Test.
This study evaluates the Xpert® Xpress GBS test (XGBS) as a point-of-care test for the intrapartum screening of Group B Streptococcus colonisation. Preliminary results show XGBS has good sensitivity (89.5%) and specificity (98.2%) compared to intrapartum culture, highlighting its superiority to antenatal screening in identifying candidates for intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis.
Iona Munjal
Vice President, Clinical Research & Development, Pfizer
Iona Munjal is an Infectious Diseases Pediatrician and the franchise lead at Pfizer vaccine research and development for all Pfizer maternal clinical trials
Talk Title: Looking to the Future: Maternal Vaccination for Infant Protection
A highlight of the data to support vaccines for the prevention of GBS in infants including ongoing and future clinical trials supported by Pfizer and the objectives of the ongoing phase 3 pivotal trial for licensure.
Dr Kate Navaratnam
Consultant in Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Honorary Senior Lecturer, Liverpool Women’s Hospital and the University of Liverpool
Kate Navaratnam MBChB (hons) PhD MRCOG is a Subspecialist Consultant in Maternal-Fetal Medicine and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Liverpool Women’s Hospital and the University of Liverpool. She will be presenting work completed during her postdoctoral fellowship, kindly supported by Wellbeing of Women.
Abstract presentation: Pharmacokinetics of intrapartum benzylpenicillin: Insights into candidate regimens to prevent early onset neonatal group B Streptococcal disease
In this study, we wanted to understand how the body processes benzylpenicillin during labour. We also looked at dosing and at how giving the antibiotic as a continuous drip might work for women at higher risk of passing GBS to their babies. Our aim was to understand how the medicine moves through the body and how we might improve the timing or amount given.
If we can find better ways to give antibiotics during labour, we might be able to protect more babies while using lower doses and fewer medical interventions for women.
Mr Pat O’brien
Consultant in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University College London Hospitals (UCLH).
Pat O’Brien FRCOG is a Consultant in Obstetrics & Gynaecology at University College London Hospitals (UCLH), specialising in maternal medicine and high-risk obstetrics. A former Vice President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), he also served as Divisional Clinical Director for Women’s Health at UCLH.
Talk Title: Therapeutic dilemmas in optimal management of GBS. The way that GBS is prevented and managed varies widely across the world. This presentation will examine the evidence that informs these guidelines and explain the dilemmas that have led to such inconsistent policies.
Nicola Papadopoulos Droy
Family experience: Nicki shares her experience of her daughter Mia having late onset GBS meningitis at 12 days old.
Nicki lives with her husband and two daughters Isabelle (4) and Mia (2). Nicki found GBSS in 2023 when her second daughter Mia became unwell with GBS meningitis at 12 days old. Nicki was aware she carried GBS when she gave birth in January 2023. Her baby daughter becoming unwell with this infection was a shock. She’s beyond grateful for an early diagnosis and the medication and care Mia received. Here she shares her family’s story.
Jane Plumb
Co-Founder and Chief Executive, Group B Strep Support.
Jane Plumb co-founded Group B Strep Support with her husband Robert in 1996 after their middle child died from group B Strep infection, and is its Chief Executive. Jane is also the RCOG’s Women’s Voices Lead, Europe Representative on the Council for the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations and a Meningitis Research Foundation trustee. She is also an advisor to the Board of the Fertility Alliance. Jane is involved in many group B Strep research projects, co-leading PPI for the GBS3 trial. Jane was awarded an MBE in 2012 for services to child health, Fellowship of the RSA in 2020, and Fellowship Honoris Causa by the RCOG in 2021.
Talk Title: Protecting Babies: The Challenge of Group B Strep. Despite its impact, awareness and GBS-specific testing remain limited. A recent survey found that 98% of new or expectant UK mothers believe it’s crucial to be informed about GBS by healthcare professionals, and 90% want routine NHS testing.
Oliver Plumb
Advocacy & Information Manager, Group B Strep Support
Oliver Plumb joined the Group B Strep Support team in 2014, driven by a personal passion to improve outcomes for families affected by group B Strep (GBS) in the UK. Inspired by his brother’s death from GBS infection, Oliver works tirelessly to support families and advocate for change within the NHS. His work focuses on influencing UK policy and strategy, engaging with NHS bodies, parliamentarians, and other stakeholders.
Talk Title: Group B Strep guidelines in the UK – implementation vs recommendations. Oliver’s presentation will explore how well NHS Hospital Trusts/Boards have implemented the 2017 RCOG guideline on preventing early-onset neonatal group B Strep (GBS) disease.
Ruth Ryder
Digital Support Midwife, Medway NHS Foundation Trust
Ruth is a Digital Midwife with over 11 years of experience in maternity care. In 2023/24 she led the GBS3 trial at Medway during a 19-month secondment in maternity research.
Talk Title: Experience of working with GBS3 at Medway Hospital (Cepheid Sponsored Presentation)
Ruth will share her experience of working with GBS3 at Medway hospital as a research midwife and the impact and outcomes of this after the study has finished, for women and myself.
Prof Philip Steer
Emeritus Professor, Imperial College London
Professor Steer was Editor-in-Chief of BJOG from 2005-2012 and is now Editor Emeritus. He is a past President of the British Association of Perinatal Medicine and the Section of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Royal Society of Medicine. He currently chairs the RCOG’s committee tasked with updating the College’s GBS Greentop Guidelines. He is Chair of GBSS’s Clinical Advisory Panel, and Morning Chair for the conference.
Ms Alison Stanley
Midwife, Senior Lecturer and Professional Midwife advocate
Ali Stanley has a background in public health research and education, and in clinical midwifery. Alison primarily works as a midwifery educator, lecturing student midwives and preparing them for independent practice. She also works as a clinical midwife in a busy NHS hospital. Alison is passionate about informed choice, advocacy and empowerment, and kindness and compassion in midwifery care.
Talk title: How midwives can introduce and discuss group B Strep with families
Ranee Thakar
Vice President, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Ranee Thakar MD FRCOG became President of the RCOG on 9 December 2022. She is a Consultant Obstetrician and Urogynaecologist at Croydon University Hospital and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at St George’s University of London.
In recognition of her leadership, she was awarded the President’s Award for Outstanding Leadership by the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin in 2023. She is the past President of the International Urogynecological Association and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 2022. She has received several honorary fellowships from the Indian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, the Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Japanese College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Natasha Thorn
City St George’s University of London
Abstract presentation: Immunological protection against invasive infant group B streptococcal disease (iGBS): preliminary data from a UK case control study.
This multisite, UK case-control study will provide supportive data to help define a potential immunological endpoint for invasive infant GBS disease. This could enable licensure of candidate vaccines. The study aims to delineate the relationship between serotype-specific anti-capsular polysaccharide IgG antibody and UK infant invasive GBS risk.
Lynsey White
Family experience
Lynsey is a mother of three children and a business owner. In 2014 her son Frankie was born and shortly after birth became seriously ill due to group B Strep infection and septicaemia. He sadly passed away four days later.
“I am a mother to Frankie and 3 beautiful girls, Ivy, Nancy and Neave.
Having lost Frankie in 2014, I wanted to do all I could to share his story and raise awareness of GBS to stop families suffering the way we did.”
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