Innovation & Enterprise
The MedTech Navigator programme identified clinical or organisational areas of unmet needs in healthcare and provided a platform for medical technology SMEs to respond to those needs by developing innovative new products and services.
Delivered by Health Tech Enterprise (HTE) over a three year period and supported by the Regional European Development Agency, the programme was coordinated around specific themes reflecting areas of unmet need, cost to the healthcare system, patient benefit and potential for medical technology innovation. Each clinical area was explored and developed in a number of ways including:
- In-depth research
- Knowledge papers
- Workshops and events
- Industry/Clinician partnerships
Market Insights & Validation
Unmet needs drive innovation. HTE’s unique position between the NHS and industry enables us to identify high-level gaps and opportunities for transforming healthcare provision and translating those needs to industry.
We identified over 30 thematic areas whereby technology could be an enabler of change. To facilitate knowledge transfer of these opportunities to industry and product developers, the programme delivered a series of workshops and white papers to foster new research led collaborations.
Accelerating Research & Development Activities
The programme also provided Innovation Grants to 15 SMEs to facilitate new R&D activities with knowledge providers in the healthcare sector. Companies could identify potential clinical collaborators through the MedTech Connect portal where 60 clinicians registered to share their expertise.
SME Support
Applied Nanodetectors is developing a next-generation point of care (POC) breath diagnostic platform that combines biomarker detection, lung function measurements and AI algorithms. Their AI test has been shown to predict asthma attacks 3 days in advance, enabling patients to take responsibility for their own health at home. The company registered on the MedTech Connect portal to search & select for new clinical collaborators.
We have succeeded in making a number of connections via Medtech Connect and have found it a great resource for both identifying and engaging clinical partners in respiratory disease. Their insight and desire to collaborate is helping us to gather additional clinical evidence and accelerating our product development. – Victor Higgs, Managing Director, Applied Nanodetectors LtD
About the Medtech Navigator
The MedTech NAVIGATOR programme received £494,041 of funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF.
Established by the European Union, ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.
