WIREDGOV

The Innovation Agency is a partner in a new HealthTec Cluster launched at Sci-Tech Daresbury.

The aim is to grow successful health technology businesses, develop world firsts in medical science and deliver life-changing health innovations both in the North West and nationally.

The new Cluster is a collaboration between the Innovation Agency and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), part of UK Research and Innovation, to support cutting-edge research, commercialisation and the global growth of health technologies, supported by an array of innovation enabling organisations.

It includes the joint funding of a post to support medical technology businesses in the region, helping them to grow and to make the right connections in NHS and social care.

Sir Mark Walport Chief Executive, UK Research and Innovation spoke at the launch event and yesterday said:

“Combining the extraordinary technology strengths of STFC at the Daresbury Campus with the health expertise of the Innovation Agency provides an outstanding setting for the new HealthTec Cluster to develop.

“By working with the Cluster’s many stakeholders, UKRI will enhance capacity to support the development of innovators and industry. This complements the founding objectives of the HealthTec Cluster set up by STFC and its partners at Harwell.”

Innovation Agency Chief Executive Dr Liz Mear yesterday said:

“There is a wealth of talent and many fantastic facilities in our region; I am confident that by collaborating in a HealthTec Cluster we will create a powerful magnet for more investment and activities which benefit the UK economy – and the health of our population.”

Professor Mark Thomson Executive Chair, STFC yesterday said:

“As the host of the North West HealthTec Cluster, Sci-Tech Daresbury already has 32 organisations and over 340 employees onsite driving health technology innovation in the region. The HealthTec Clusters are an incredibly exciting opportunity for the UK.

“They aim to drive innovation by bringing together the business and research communities, along with access to a unique suite of major scientific facilities. Our clusters are born out of a deep knowledge of the UK economy and what is driving productivity and growth, and we align our own strategy with these.”

Peter Ellingworth Chief Executive Officer of the Association of British Health Tech Industries (ABHI), added:

“A collaborative approach to overcoming challenges in the health tech sector provides a significant opportunity to improve the wealth of our country, whilst delivering solutions that drastically improve people’s lives.”

Other organisations who have played a key role in the development of the North West HealthTec Cluster include several of STFC’s partner research bodies from within UK Research and Innovation including Innovate UK, BBSRC, MRC, EPSRC; plus National Institute of Health Research, several of the national catapults, the local enterprise partnerships in the region, Bionow and Northern Health Science Alliance.