Timely Access to Support
At Health Tech Enterprise (HTE) our aim is to improve healthcare through the development of innovative ideas which address clear unmet need. HTE was originally founded in 2004 by the Royal Papworth NHS Foundation Trust as part of a national network of NHS Innovation Hubs. We have since expanded our network and activities to provide IP & Commercialisation services to both the NHS and other healthcare innovators. Our track record in healthcare innovation includes 130+ commercial deals concluded and over £16M investment raised in the last four years alone.
Tailored Support
Our work ensures healthtech innovations are developed to realise their potential and benefit patients. HTE works with 20 NHS Trusts across England providing a range of services delivered by an expert team. These include:
- Protection of Intellectual Property (IP)
- Development of prototypes & advice on proof of concept feasibility studies
- Finding funding and investment to progress your idea/business
- Identifying commercial partners and negotiating suitable licensing deals
- Training, webinars and access to our Clinical Innovators Forum network
We operate a very flexible engagement model whereby these services can be provided under an annual membership agreement or via a project-by-project consultancy contract.
Tell us about your idea
If you are working within one of our NHS Members organisations, you can use our simple form to tell us about your idea or innovation. The information disclosed will be treated as confidential and following a review an Innovation Manager will be in contact with you.
What happens next?
The initial evaluation of an idea disclosed involves reviewing a number of key aspects, including:
- Exploring the unmet need and patient benefit
- Determining the potential market opportunity
- Evaluating any Intellectual Property Rights that could be obtained to protect the idea
- Estimating the development requirements and costs
This initial evaluation review takes 4 – 6 weeks and it may be necessary to meet to discuss an idea further. Following the review, we will provide your organisation with feedback and recommended next steps, including any proposed support which may be offered by us to assist with the development of the idea.
Next steps for your innovation
Recommendations and next steps are dependent on the nature of the innovation, but may include intellectual property protection, prototype development, testing and evaluation and developing a suitable commercialisation strategy.
NHS Trusts and other public sector organisations typically have IP policies providing details of the sharing of revenues generated from commercialisation. These ‘reward to inventor’ schemes are set by each individual organisation with the Research and Development department usually responsible for the policy itself.
