News

Over 70 delegates came together last week at the NIHR (National Institute for Health Research) Roadshow to explore funding opportunities, healthcare research and the support available for MedTech SMEs.

The event, supported by the Yorkshire & Humber Academic Health Science Network (AHSN), is one in a series of roadshows hosted by the NIHR. Held in Leeds on 7th June, the occasion showcased Yorkshire’s capabilities for supporting MedTech companies throughout the innovation pathway. Bringing together regional research and incubator infrastructure, delegates heard about:

• the NIHR’s and AHSN’s offer to support research and innovation
• funding programmes available for MedTech innovators
• the generation of clinical and health economic evidence for NHS use
• the available guidance across the innovation pathway.

Presentations from national NIHR infrastructure, including NIHR i4i, the Clinical Research Network and NOCRI (NIHR Office for Clinical Research Infrastructure) explained the wealth of support that the NIHR offers in designing research, accessing funding and supporting the innovation process. In addition, the local NIHR MedTech Co-operatives provided an overview of their specialities and the support available to MedTech SMEs:

• Devices for Dignity outlined the work that they undertake in developing solutions to meet clinical needs and chronic health conditions that are generally associated with a lack of dignity and independence.
• The only part of the NIHR infrastructure with a paediatric focus, Professor Paul Dimitri from the Children and Young People’s MedTech Co-operative outlined the importance of investing in paediatric health and the management of long term conditions in childhood.
• Helen Radford from the Leeds In-vitro Diagnostics Co-operative outlined their specialities in developing and validating new diagnostics for oncology, musculoskeletal disease, renal medicine and infections.
• From the Surgical MedTech Co-operative, Vee Mapunde explained the support and guidance available to those developing innovations and processes in colorectal, hepatabiliary and vascular surgery.

The research and innovation support provided by the NIHR infrastructure is complemented by a wealth of regional expertise from universities, independent research bodies and collaborations. Delegates heard presentations from a range of organisations from across the Yorkshire and Humber region, including:

• The Leeds Academic Health Partnership, a partnership between the universities, NHS organisations and local authority in Leeds who work collaboratively to address the city’s healthcare priorities.
• The Medical AMRC (Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre), a state of the art research centre partnered with Booing and the University of Sheffield, who lead research into advanced manufacturing and materials.
• The Centre for Process and Innovation, a multi-disciplinary research team specialising in emerging and enabling technologies.
• Nexus, an initiative of the University of Leeds which will connect businesses to the university’s research expertise.
• The Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, which will be the research hub for the National Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine in Sheffield, partnered with Sheffield Hallam University.
• The York Health Economic Consortium, a leading provider of health economic analysis based at the University of York.
• mHabitat, a digital hub hosted by Leeds and York Partnership Foundation Trust, who support the development of digital innovation in health and social care.
• Grow MedTech, a collaboration between Leeds and Sheffield City Regions to build on the distinctive cluster of medical technologies expertise across both areas.

In addition to presentations to highlight support available across the region, there was also the opportunity for networking with peers, and for SME delegates to have initial conversations within research leaders. It is hoped that these initial conversations will convert into partnerships to further the MedTech capabilities and expertise across the region.

If you have any queries about the above organisations, or how you can contact them, please email sophie.bates@yhahsn.com.