Business in East Anglia

A new report has been launched to help the region’s growing number of medical technology businesses sector navigate what has been described as the ‘often confusing’ pathway for firms to access the National Health Service.

The NHS spends £6bn a year on MedTech and there is significant growth potential for companies in the region. Cambridge ranks as the largest cluster of firms in the sector in Europe and the East of England has seen 27 life sciences sites set up over 2007-19 with over 1200 people thought to have joined the sector.

The new report from The Eastern Academic Health Science Network aims to accelerate the entry, adoption and spread of innovations in the sector. Produced in partnership with the Association of British HealthTech Industries, the report says that in addition to securing finance and supporting policy there is a need for practical advice and support to help the industry thrive.

Piers Ricketts, vice-chair of the AHSN Network and CEO of the Eastern AHSN, said: “The health and science infrastructure in the UK, particularly here in the East of England with our exceptional science and academic base, is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the opportunities for economic growth and improved patient outcomes created by MedTech. However, there is a risk of companies getting lost as they navigate the innovation maze. Within this report we have set out how, as a network, we can help developers navigate through a MedTech innovation pathway to support patients, clinicians in the East of England and UK plc.”