Medilink News

Medilink Innovation Day and Healthcare Business Awards 2010

connect@medilink.co.uk — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Medilink Innovation Day and Healthcare Business Awards 2010

8th July 2010

The Royal Armouries, Leeds

A key networking event bringing together leading figures from across the Yorkshire & Humber Healthcare Technologies sector; including presentations from leading industrialists and clinicians; a showcase exhibition and the announcement of the regions healthcare business awards winners. To book your free place, please contact Nikola Alevizos at n.alevizos@medilink.co.uk

Regenerative Medicine Workshop - London

Connect@medilink.co.uk — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Technology Strategy Board New Funding Opportunities for Regenerative Medicine - Ensuring Best Success for Building your Consortium and Preparing Proposals

The KTN would like to invite organisations who are interested in hearing about the latest TSB funding opportunities for Regenerative Medicine to attend the Regenerative Medicines workshop. You will have the opportunity to join experts from industry, health and leading KTN groups and find out more about the latest opportunities for regenerative medicine based healthcare.

Workshops:

MANCHESTER - 4th March 2010 - 9:30am - 4.00pm
The Core Technology Facility
The University of Manchester
Incubator Company
48 Grafton Street
Manchester M13 9XX
www.umic.co.uk

Register at: www.healthktnregenmed04march.eventbrite.com

LONDON - 24th March 2010, 9.30am – 4.00pm
Grand Connaught Rooms
61-63 Great Queen Street
Holborn
London WC2B 5DA
www.grandconnaughtrooms.com

Register at: www.healthktnregenmed24march.eventbrite.com

There is NO CHARGE to attend the workshops.

Click here to find out more about the competitions opening 8 March 2010.

Regenerative Medicines workshop - Manchester

Connect@medilink.co.uk — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Technology Strategy Board New Funding Opportunities for Regenerative Medicine
Ensuring Best Success for Building your Consortium and Preparing Proposals

The KTN would like to invite organisations who are interested in hearing about the latest TSB funding opportunities for Regenerative Medicine to attend the Regenerative Medicines workshop. You will have the opportunity to join experts from industry, health and leading KTN groups and find out more about the latest opportunities for regenerative medicine based healthcare.

Workshops:

MANCHESTER - 4th March 2010 - 9:30am - 4.00pm
The Core Technology Facility
The University of Manchester
Incubator Company
48 Grafton Street
Manchester M13 9XX
www.umic.co.uk

Register at: www.healthktnregenmed04march.eventbrite.com

LONDON - 24th March 2010, 9.30am – 4.00pm
Grand Connaught Rooms
61-63 Great Queen Street
Holborn
London WC2B 5DA
www.grandconnaughtrooms.com

Register at: www.healthktnregenmed24march.eventbrite.com

There is NO CHARGE to attend the workshops.

Click here to find out more about the competitions opening 8 March 2010.

Healthcare Technology future scenarios

j.p.brannan@medilink.co.uk — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

This one day event is designed to provide organisations across Yorkshire and the Humber with the tools to future-proof their technologies and engage in high-level innovation; focussing on key trends in healthcare and potential future scenarios - helping you identify and agree future (5 years plus) challenges and opportunities.

The event will also introduce, ‘Realising the future of Healthcare Technologies in Yorkshire’ - the Networking for Innovation programme that lets your organisation
take on tomorrow’s challenges today.

Key presentations and topics include:

Drug delivery
Health futures
Personalised medicine
Telemedicine
Regenerative Medicine

The event is aimed at:

Companies (small to large)
Regional stakeholders (clinical, industrial, business support bodies)
Innovators (academic, clinical, industrial)

For more information see the event flyer or visit the network website

Medilink - Innovation in Primary and Community Care Conference

connect@medilink.co.uk — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Developed to bring together healthcare technology developers with primary care providers and commissioners this conference will showcase health technology solutions that will support the development of primary care practice.

Chaired by Andy Buck, CEO of Rotherham PCT; a leading figure championing the application of technology in primary-care. The conference will include:

9.00am Registration
9.30am Introduction (Andy Buck, CEO, Rotherham PCT)
9.40am The primary care landscape post-Darzi; a GP’s view (Eithne Cummins, GP Nethergreen Surgery)
10.05am The Regional Innovation Fund (Laura Hibbs, Y&H SHA)
10.30am The Regional Telehealth Programme (Paul Rice, Associate Director, Care Partnerships, NHS Yorkshire and the Humber)
10.55am Workshop Session 1
12.15pm Lunch
1.15pm Workshop Session 2
2.35pm Implementing the Quality Productivity Challenge (Helen Northall, Director, Primary Care Commissioning)
3.00pm The primary care landscape post-Darzi; a commissioner’s view (Rob Webster, CEO, Calderdale PCT)
3.25pm Plenary & Next Steps (Rotherham PCT)
3.40pm Networking / Refreshments

The conference offers each delegate the opportunity to participate in a choice of workshops, each showcasing innovative solutions to primary care challenges across a number of key pathways (focusing on prevention, early detection, integrated care, self care, specialist care and rehabilitation).

The workshops will be used to highlight how the technology or process has been developed to meet the clinical or technical challenges faced in the primary-care setting with the aim of encouraging open discussions on the develop, adoption and implementation of technology and process driven solutions. The workshops are:

Activ4Life; pre and post operative orthopaedic diagnostics
Activ4Life and Jon Conroy, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, will explain how the product works and how such technology can work in a real primary care setting.

Meddserve; integrated patient record systems
Dr James Britton, practicing dermatologist and CEO of Meddserve, will open the discussion on how the patient record system he has been developing for 11 years will allow the full management of a hospital or clinic through innovative, confidential and secure on-line health records. This ‘hosted model’ system facilitates seamless communications between healthcare professionals and has been used across the UK, India and Nepal in a variety of settings. The system allows images, radiology, including CT scans, and full records to up-loaded remotely and reviewed by specialists, all of which encourages and facilitates the adoption of more integrated telehealth services. The workshop will cover: clinical functions and imaging; system design and technology; confidentiality, duty-of-care and data protection; business model; implementation and open discussions.

NHS Rotherham/O2; 'paper-light' solutions for community workers - increasing efficiency across community care teams

NHS Rotherham and Telefonica O2 UK will share their experiences of deploying technology solutions to community-based teams, including lessons learnt and the benefits being realised. How this is helping Rotherham, and other trusts, respond to increasing budgetary challenges by delivering care services more efficiently. And, how involving the care teams in the process has proved a critical success factor.
Alan Meloy, Deputy Director of IT and Derek Stowe, Infrastructure Manager , NHS Rotherham will lead the workshop discussion, along with Tom Macallister, Senior Business Consultant, Telefonica O2 UK.

Kingkraft Ltd; collaborations facilitating assistive technology development
Nigel Harrison, MD, Kingkraft will discuss how collaborating with the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Children’s Hospital resulted in the development of a niche assistive technology solution for children with brittle bone disease.

Primary Care Commission; understanding the Quality Productivity Challenge
This workshop will provide participants with an in-depth understanding of the challenge and how it will affect product developers and commissioners.

Commercial Procurement Collaborative; open innovation in bariatric care
David Newton, CPC will facilitate a discussion on the issues surrounding bariatric care in the primary care setting and how these can be challenged through technology development.

Sheffield Hallam University/Tomorrow Options; The use of wireless sensors for the facilitation of self-care in stroke rehabilitation

This workshop will open the discussion on the development of sensor technology for the primary care setting, including all processes, challenges and solutions.

To book your free place pleae email Nikola Alevizos at n.alevizos@medilink.co.uk *

* Please note places are free of charge to companies and organisations based in Yorkshire and Humber; for those based outside the region places are charged at £65+VAT.

The Innovation in Primary and Community Care Conference is supported by:

International Conference on Ageing, Disability and Independence

j.p.brannan@medilink.co.uk — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

ICADI brings together researchers, practitioners, business leaders, consumers and policy makers to focus on independence-related issues of ageing.

To register for the event click here

Connecting Digital Creative & Healthcare companies (FREE networking event)

Connect@medilink.co.uk — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Monday 22 March 2010 - 4.30pm – 7.00pm (3.30pm start for pitching companies)

NorthernNet, Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus and RTC North have arranged pitching and networking opportunity for companies operating in the Digital Creative and Healthcare markets. If interested in the areas outlined below, register and meet potential partners who can help you grow your business....

What is NorthernNet?.... NorthernNet proves that it’s fast up North with its high speed symmetric broadband network (up to 1 Gbps). NorthernNet is available to businesses as a direct connection and, for the first time ever, as pay-as-you-go via 17 Media Access Bureaux.

Who should attend?

Digital Creative companies interested in..
• Mobile technologies
• 3D simulation technologies (especially interactive)
• Web-based remote learning technologies
• Digital signage and communication technologies
• Real time Web-based or network based information systems (potentially applied in other sectors)
• Web-based, real time communication systems linked to monitoring of activities
• Security technologies

Healthcare sector businesses working in...
• Surgical Simulation
• Telecare
• Medical training
• Remote diagnostics
• Healthcare monitoring
• Healthcare education
• Clinical trialling
• Healthcare operation information & communication systems
• Manufacture of products & systems with potential to go digital

Agenda
3.00pm - Delegates arrive for pitch training
3.30pm - 4.30pm - Pitch training
Pitching companies arrive early for pitch training by ‘Winning Pitch’
4.30pm - Delegates arrive for main event
4.30pm – 6.00pm - Business Pitch
90 seconds focussed specifically on businesses’ ‘offers’ or ‘needs’
6.00pm – 7.00pm - Networking and Food
Supported by sector relevant business support ‘brokers’

The main content of the event will be for companies who are either:
A. developers and/or suppliers of digital products, technology and expertise,
OR
B. potential users of digital products, technology and expertise to give a 90 second elevator pitch covering the following points:

• Who you are?
• What is your business?
• What you have to offer other companies?
• What do you need from other companies?

Details of those companies pitching on the day will be circulated in advance to help you identify potential companies of interest. Following the elevator pitches there will be time for informal networking to further explore opportunities with companies of interest.

For more information or to register for the NorthernNet business pitch events visit http://northernnetyorkshire.eventbrite.com/ or email indea.heppel@rtcnorth.co.uk or call 0113 394 4375

MEDTEC UK 2010

connect@medilink.co.uk — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Exhibition and Conference Addressing the Technical Sourcing Needs of Medical Device Manufacturing Companies

As the population demographic of the world has changed, so has its demand for healthcare. With an increasingly aged population, the demand for medical products (devices) has increased and shows no sign of slowing. With a high rate of reinvestment in R&D and innovation, the manufacture of medical devices continues to grow in the region of 9% annually in order to meet the demand of healthcare providers around the world.

For 16 years the MEDTEC exhibition and conference series has been addressing the technical needs of medical device manufacturing companies, providing them with an annual showcase of materials and manufacturing technology and expertise.

MEDTEC draws, as its visitors, key engineers and corporate and technical management engaged in the design and manufacture of all classes of medical devices, while its conference addresses technical, regulatory and quality issues surrounding and affecting medical device development.

MEDTEC is organised by Canon Communications, a global company specialising in providing exhibitions, print and digital media to the medical device manufacturing community.

Exhibition Programme

See Key Technologies for Every Aspect of Medical Device Design and Manufacturing at MEDTEC UK:

• Adhesives and Joining Technology
• Automation and Assembly Technology
• Design and Manufacturing Software
• Electronic Components
• EMS
• Extrusion Technology and Specialty Tubing
• Filters, Membranes and other Components
• Laser and Marking Technology
• Multi-Axis Machine Tools
• Other Micro-Machining Technology
• Packaging Technology and Materials
• Plastics Processing Technology, Resins and Raw Materials
• Pumps
• Motors and Motion Control
• Non-Wovens and Tapes
• Specialty Alloys
• Sterilisation Services
• Wire and Springs

Focus on Key Technologies at these Pavilions Within MEDTEC UK

Automation, Assembly and Robotics
Showcase of the integrators and latest technology for automated production and assembly techniques.

Medical Packaging
Materials, outsourcers and machinery for the packaging of medical devices and manufacture of pharmaceutical drug delivery systems.

PrecisionTec
Multi-Axis CNC technology, micro-machining, lasers and ultrasonic technology for the manufacture of surgical devices, implants and interventional cardio devices from specialty medical alloys.

Medical Plastics Technology
High performance plastics, injection moulding and extrusion techniques for medical manufacturing.

Educational Opportunities
MEDTEC UK will have opportunities on the show floor to learn about new developments in medical device manufacturing, in addition to our industry-acclaimed Conference Programme. A complete programme of topics and speakers will be posted here as details are confirmed.

For more information on the event, please click here.

International Conference on Orthopaedic Sugery, Biomechanics and Clinical Applications

connect@medilink.co.uk — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

This conference aims to bring academic, clinical and industrial researcher scientist, device developers and practitioners together and provide a platform for the exchange of ideas and disseminate the recent developments in orthopaedic research, surgery and devices. The conference, different than many others, will include not only scientific research but provide hands-on practical sessions as well as industrial demonstrations. The conference sessions and workshops will merit CME points.

For more information on the event, please click the link below OrthopaedicConference69June2010[1]

Methods for Evaluating Medical Tests and Biomarkers: Second International Symposium

connect@medilink.co.uk — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

This international symposium attracts researchers actively involved in the development, evaluation or regulation of biomarkers, diagnostic modalities or other medical tests.

The development of a reliable and highly effective diagnostic suite for clinical use is arguably the most important area of medical research. Rapid technological progress coupled with the significant methodological complexities involved in both developing and evaluating tests create formidable challenges to our research. Yet these challenges are matched by unique opportunities.

The 2010 event is specifically aimed at bringing together researchers from the diverse reaches of test evaluation, from in vitro test developers, industry and regulatory representatives, through to methodologists, guideline developers and practising clinicians, in the hope of improving current understanding through knowledge exchange, and forging our diverse experiences and perspectives to delineate the future direction of diagnostic test research.

For more information on the event, please click here

EuroMedtech 2010

connect@medilink.co.uk — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

EuroMedtech™ is Europe's leading medical technology partnering conference, providing collaboration opportunities to medtech decision makers and investors. EuroMedtech caters to companies involved in all parts of the advanced medical technology industry, from those serving mainline therapeutic categories such as orthopedics and cardiovascular, through diagnostics, imaging and eHealth to those involved in platform technologies such as biomaterials and regenerative medicine. Also attending are companies serving the industry, such as manufacturers, law firms, CROs and distributors.

Featuring EBD Group’s sophisticated, web-based partnering system, partneringONE®, the event enables delegates to efficiently identify, meet and do business with attending companies, from large international medtech companies and just launched start-ups, to venture capitalists and private equity firms.

Who should attend?
Executives from:
Emerging medical technology companies
Established large medtech companies
Venture capital, private equity and institutional financial firms
Other service related companies
EuroMedtech features

Sessions
High level faculty on panels and workshops, in which industry experts provide updated analyses and share their experience with the audience.

Company Presentations
Selected medical technology companies present their products, technologies and corporate missions in 15-minute presentations. In addition, invited, listed companies will be featured in the Deutsche Boerse Company Presentation track, start-ups present their newest innovations in the Next Generation track, and companies from Eastern Europe will be highlighted in a track hosted by biosaxony.

Exhibition
A lively exhibition in the heart of the conference area showcasing services and technologies

For more information on the event, please click here

Diabetes UK: Annual Professional Conference

connect@medilink.co.uk — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The theme for the APC 2010 is "Diabetes: challenges in all ages", exploring the challenges posed by diabetes from pregnancy to older age.

For more information on the event, please click here

International Business Network (IBN) Meeting - Barcelona & Iberia

p.wheeler — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

UK Trade & Investment are inviting companies to join them at the International Business Network (IBN) in Barcelona. The IBN forms the key business element of the Leeds in Barcelona Festival of Culture and Commerce organised by Marketing Leeds. Lord Rogers of Riverside - UKTI Business Ambassador and Chairman of Architects, Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners is also expected to join the IBN visit.

The IBN is an established network across the region and its purpose is to help local companies establish contacts and generally build their international knowledge and business potential through targeted networking and bespoke meetings, and utilizing fully, the expertise and contacts of our overseas offices. This is an opportunity to be part of a targeted and well publicised series of events in Barcelona to help you develop business across the Iberian region. The IBN will be a major business focus during the 3 day Leeds in Barcelona Festival of Culture and Commerce.

For more details of the visit, including the financial support/subsidies available, click here to download the IBN flier. A Registration Form for the event is available to download here.

Singapore Inward Delegation Visiting Yorkshire

p.wheeler — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Medilink Y&H, in conjunction with UKTI, is arranging a series of one-to-one meetings with a group of buyers/distributors from Singapore.

The overseas delegates available for meetings cover a wide scope of product areas / specialities, with specific areas of interest including:

Mobility equipment
Rehabilitation equipment
Wheelchairs
Orthopaedic supports
Bathing aids
Patient transfer systems
Anti-decubitus products
New, innovative medical devices
Anaesthesia
Emergency Medicine
Cardiology
Obs & Gynae
Endoscopy
Diagnostic Imaging
Urology
Neuro-surgery
Physiotherapy & rehab.
Electronic Medical Records
Plastic, reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery
Stem cell apparatus
Woundcare & Wound Management
Orthopaedic Applications
Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology
Gastroenterology & Endoscopy
Emergency Medical Supplies
Vitamin manufacturers
Anti-bedsore products
Woundcare products
Sterile chlorhexidine solution
Saline in plastic vials
Lab reagents
Teaching Equipment and simulators
Surgical dressings & Instruments
Equipment for neonates and infants

Full profiles for each delegate can be downloaded using the link below.

Detailed Delegate Profiles - Click Here

To register for a meeting with a member of the delegation download the booking form using the link below and email back to p.wheeler@medilink.co.uk or fax to 0114 245 6820.

Meeting Request Form - Click Here

In order to arrange suitable meeting times we will need all forms returned to us by Friday 19th February. All meetings will be confirmed by Friday 26th February.

If you have any questions please email international@medilink.co.uk

Medipex Yorkshire & Humber NHS Innovation Awards and Showcase 2010

connect@medilink.co.uk — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Are you a member of staff with an idea which could improve/lead to improved patient care?

If so, Medipex Ltd – the NHS’ Innovation centre for the Yorkshire and Humber region, would like to hear about it before the 26th February 2010. By entering your idea into the Yorkshire and Humber NHS Innovation Awards and Showcase 2010, you could stand to win a substantial amount of money – awarded to the employing Trust for the benefit of your idea.

Closing date for entries – 26 February 2010. To enter, complete the application form online by clicking here. Alternatively an application form can be downloaded from the website www.medipex.co.uk and emailed to competition@medipex.co.uk

There are four main categories of entry:

- Medical Devices and Diagnostics
- Software and ICT
- Publications and Training Materials
- Innovation Adoption and Diffusion

The Award Showcase will be a high profile event to be held at Weetwood Hall, Leeds on 21st April 2010. The showcase will comprise a welcome drinks reception during which finalists, guests and senior management from participating NHS Trusts, Universities and Companies can view posters of the short listed entries, the main awards ceremony and then the buffet reception.

This competition is open to any NHS employee in the Yorkshire and Humber region or anyone working with an NHS employee in this area (e.g. a company, a university employee or an individual).

To find out more about the event (including start and finish times), contact Medipex on 0113 3970 840.

Business Minister visits Yorkshire

j.p.brannan@medilink.co.uk — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:38:56 GMT

Innovative Yorkshire companies leading the way in Healthcare Technologies gained the seal of approval from Business Minister Lord Davies when he visited the region earlier this month.

The visit, arranged by Medilink Yorkshire & Humber (Y&H), on behalf of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), saw the Minister meet a number of leading regional healthcare companies to find out about their business and export experiences and also hear how they are making a real difference to the healthcare industry in the UK and across the globe.

The Minister also opened a state-of-the-art facility at one of Medlink’s members Surgical Innovations, a Leeds based company who specialises in the design and manufacture of innovative devices for use in minimally invasive surgery and industrial markets.

The centre enables surgeons and distributors to practice laparoscopic techniques in a simulated environment and includes two state-of-the-art laparoscopic stacks, complete with high-definition screens, cameras and light sources.

Lord Davies said: “The Yorkshire and Humber region has a reputation for healthcare technology excellence and the visit to Surgical Innovations was something I was especially looking forward to in this regard – providing further evidence of the pioneering work that is pushing UK companies to the fore of international markets,”

The visit was a great opportunity for the region Healthcare Technologies industry to showcase its cutting edge technologies and also for industry to come face-to-face with a Government Minister.

A wide range of companies took part in the round table discussion with the Minister such as Anetic Aid, Brenmoor Ltd, Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation (IPI), JRI Ltd, Medcom Ltd. Park House Healthcare, Park House Healthcare , Single Use Surgical Ltd, Surgical Innovations, Viamed Ltd, Zilico Ltd.

Medilink member wins national award

j.p.brannan@medilink.co.uk — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:15:19 GMT

Reducing infection rates, costs and thier carbon footprint – Inditherm plc has been honoured with a national award recognising their contribution to dramatically cutting NHS costs, improving patient care, reducing energy use and clinical waste.

Announced at the Community Partnerships Awards 2010, Inditherm won the ‘Suppliers Delivering Sustainability’ category. Judged by senior Department of Health and NHS managers, the award acknowledges their contribution to making the highest standards of care financially viable and environmentally more sustainable.

Already used in many NHS hospitals, Inditherm’s innovative patient warming systems are helping to address the problem of hypothermia during surgery. Effective warming during anaesthesia is widely recognised in helping to reduce blood loss, infection rates, recovery times and even mortality.

As the NHS works to comply with NICE guidelines on preventing perioperative hypothermia, expenditure on traditional disposable warming products in the NHS has nearly doubled in the last year. Figures published by NICE suggest that patient warming costs could be reduced by well over £10 million annually if use of the Inditherm system was extended to all UK hospitals.

The award also acknowledged the environmental advantages of Inditherm’s patented carbon polymer technology over traditional forced air warming, which could save the NHS more than
3,000 MWh of energy and reduce clinical waste by over 200 tonnes each year.

Speaking after the event, Inditherm plc Chief Executive, Nick Bettles, said: “The award clearly recognises the contribution our patient warming systems can offer to hospitals. This shows that Inditherm technology offers the perfect solution to reduce costs whilst helping meet NICE guidelines and saving the environment; this must be attractive to the NHS is the current economic climate.”

Advanced Woundcare Community launched to the sector

j.p.brannan@medilink.co.uk — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:11:06 GMT

Encouraging collaboration and knowledge transfer across the region, Medilink Yorkshire and Humber has launched its Advanced Woundcare community to collectively identify and address specific challenges in the sector.

By bringing together individuals from the NHS, healthcare companies, universities, and charities, the woundcare community will provide a multidisciplinary platform to harness a vast wealth of expertise and experience on a regional, national and international level; developing and promoting some of the region’s most significant strengths and establishing Yorkshire and Humber as a competitive and innovative location.

By joining the woundcare community you will benefit from:

access to a portfolio of woundcare professionals
facilitated engagement across the network
dedicated news, events and market intelligence

An initial facilitated workshop engaging with the major stakeholders in the woundcare community will take place on April 23rd. The purpose of the workshop will be consider a future regional strategy for advanced woundcare, and begin to identify a programme of activity, including new project development.

To join the woundcare community please click here to complete our on line registration form. From this we can develop your profile and build the Community.

For more information on the woundcare community click here

For more information, please contact us

£90m of funding available for Yorkshire companies

j.p.brannan@medilink.co.uk — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:48:29 GMT

Finance Yorkshire, the £90m venture capital fund which aims to help small and medium sized enterprises in the region is set to launch on March 12 -enabling companies raise the funding they need alongside investment from the commercial market.

Starting to invest from March 2010, the Fund will provide seedcorn loan and equity investments ranging from £15,000 and £2million, helping businesses across the region to develop and grow.

The Fund has been created using investment from Yorkshire Forward, ERDF from the European Union and the European Investment Bank and for the first time will provide region wide access to finance for all qualifying businesses.

The Fund provides three main products, structured to back eligible businesses through critical stages of growth from start-up through to major expansion:

Seedcorn Finance
Business Loans
Equity Linked Investments

Finance Yorkshire will be working alongside other finance providers such as banks, and other lenders and can help put together a finance package to meet your needs.

For more information, click here

Companies invited to speak to Singapore delegates

j.p.brannan@medilink.co.uk — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:17:57 GMT

Medilink Yorkshire and Humber, in conjunction with UKTI, is arranging a series of one-to-one meetings with a group of buyers and distributors from Singapore - providing local companies with information about the export opportunities available to them in the country.

Taking place in Leeds at The Village Hotel on Wednesday, 3rd March 2010, the Singaporean delegates are available for meetings, covering a wide scope of product areas and specialities.

For full profiles for each delegate click here

To register for a meeting with a member of the delegation download the booking form and email it to Peter Wheeler or fax 0114 245 6820.

If you have any questions please contact us

Business Minister visits Yorkshire

j.p.brannan@medilink.co.uk — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:16:51 GMT

Innovative Yorkshire companies leading the way in Healthcare Technologies will gain the seal of approval from Business Minister Lord Davies on Friday (12 February), when he visits the region.

The visit, arranged by Medilink Yorkshire & Humber (Y&H), on behalf of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), will see the Minister meeting a number of leading regional healthcare companies to find out about their business and export experiences and also hear how they are making a real difference to the healthcare industry in the UK and across the globe.

Throughout the day the Minister will also open a state-of-the-art facility at one of Medlink’s members Surgical Innovations, a Leeds based company who specialises in the design and manufacture of innovative devices for use in minimally invasive surgery and industrial markets.

The centre enables surgeons and distributors to practice laparoscopic techniques in a simulated environment and includes two state-of-the-art laparoscopic stacks, complete with high-definition screens, cameras and light sources.

Lord Davies said: “I am delighted to be visiting the region and supporting these important sectors, and I look forward to engaging with local businesses and hearing what we can do to help them expand and export. The Yorkshire and Humber region has a reputation for business excellence and the visit to Surgical Innovations is something I am especially looking forward to in this capacity – officially marking a new chapter for the company.”

The visit is a great opportunity for the region Healthcare Technologies industry, which has recently enjoyed record success at the Arab Health exhibition in Dubai.

Charlotte Fraser, international manager at Medilink Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “Yorkshire and the Humber is at the forefront of the UK’s latest advances in healthcare, making it one of the most important regions for the healthcare technology industry, and one of the fastest-growing nationally.

“As an organisation dedicated to the growth of the healthcare technology sector, we’re delighted Lord Davies has agreed to see first hand companies from our region are making a real difference to the healthcare sector with truly pioneering products.”

The companies taking part in the round table discussion with the Minister include: Anetic Aid, Brenmoor Ltd, Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation (IPI), JRI Ltd, Medcom Ltd. Park House Healthcare, Park House Healthcare , Single Use Surgical Ltd, Surgical Innovations, Viamed Ltd, Zilico Ltd

International opportunity in the USA

j.p.brannan@medilink.co.uk — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:59:21 GMT

For the first time this year, Medilink Y&H are organising the UK pavilion at FIME 2010 – the largest medical equipment exhibition in the US; offering UK companies the opportunity to showcase their world-leading products and meet potential business partners from North and Central America.

In its 19th year, FIME is the largest healthcare event in the US calendar, attracting over 30, 000 visitors with delegates from all medical backgrounds. The show will take place in Miami between 11-13 August 2010.

There are a limited number of UKTI grants available for exhibitors at both shows which will be allocated on a first come first serve basis, as well as an early bird booking discount available for FIME.

Please see the flyer for more information.

The booking deadline is 28 February 2010, contact us now to book your place.

Sponsorship opportunities open for research students

j.p.brannan@medilink.co.uk — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:33:36 GMT

Five opportunities are available for organisations and students to help develop the next generation of medical and implantable devices, helping patients and the healthcare industry, as well as forging strong collaborations between the science and technology sectors.

CASE Studentships, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and supported by The HealthTech and Medicines KTN, provide an excellent mechanism for engaging universities and industry through training and technology transfer, with successful candidates being picked by both the university and company. Projects must be in the engineering or physical sciences and are jointly supervised by the academic and industrial partners.

The technical scope is broad with the main emphasis on encouraging adventurous research for improved health technologies, whilst engaging with the industrial and clinical base to provide a route to the market.

Proposals should be received by the KTN electronically by 16:30 on Thursday 11 March 2010.

For more information, click here and for full details, please see the call document

Celebrating Innovation in the region

j.p.brannan@medilink.co.uk — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:17:28 GMT

Twelve companies in the region have been short-listed for the prestigious Innovator/10 awards, which celebrate innovation and collaboration among businesses in Yorkshire and Humber. The awards are presented by the regional development agency – Yorkshire Forward.

Three businesses will now battle it out for each of the four awards – each of which carries a £3,000 cash prize – are aimed at recognising those companies and individuals in Yorkshire and Humber who have embraced innovation and developed, alone or in partnership, new ideas, products, technologies or ways of working in order to improve their business.

A panel of expert judges will visit and assess each business between February 1 and Februay 12 before the winners are unveiled on Wednesday, March 3, at a prestigious black tie event at Leeds City Museum with guest speaker Tim Smit, founder of the Eden Project.

Richard Gregory, chairman of Yorkshire Innovation, said: “The quality of the shortlist demonstrates tremendous promise for the future competitiveness of this region. I hope the event acts as an inspiration for others and helps spread the word that Yorkshire is a great place to innovate."

The Partners in Innovation Award, in association with the prestigious Lord Stafford Awards, rewards knowledge transfer between businesses and universities in the Midlands since 1998, and celebrates and rewards businesses which have collaborated with and used the region’s research community, resulting in the successful development of an innovation with the potential to deliver improved business performance and commercial success. Finalists for the award are:

Double Green Limited and The University of York, who developed the use of glycerine, a co-product from biodiesel production. Nature's Laboratory and the Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation’s innovative water soluble deodorised propolis (resin collected by bees and used by them as an immune defence mechanism), which has numerous therapeutic effects, including antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and anticancer, as well as Peratech Limited and the University of Leeds who formed a partnership to produce printable electronic switches and sensors.

The Innovation in Action Award, aims to reward and celebrate an innovative new product, process or service developed in Yorkshire and Humber, candidates in the running are between:
Belgravium Ltd who have developed PalletStar, an innovative combination of mobile computing hardware and application software designed for use by logistics companies offering a pallet distribution service. Crompton Mouldings Ltd creators of LEAP (Layered Engineering Active Polymer) which is a novel patented process designed to manufacture large, high spec panels using recycled materials. And finally, EMSc (UK) Ltd designers and manufacturers of Powerstar - a voltage optimisation unit that works to significantly reduce energy consumption.

The Young Innovative Business Award category is aimed at businesses that have shown creativity and entrepreneurial flair in the launch and early growth of a company, the finalists are:
Image Analysis Ltd who’s Dynamika MRI software speeds up the reviewing of Dynamic MRI and breast imaging scans by using an automated process that dispenses with labour-intensive and expensive manual interpretation patients. Radio Design Ltd who have come up with a way of allowing up to three cellular base stations from two UK-based mobile phone system operators to share the same antenna system, resulting in both site rental and equipment cost savings. And Random Storm Ltd the creators of the Vulnerability Management Platform, a suite of network security tools designed to automatically scan and analyse all components of a corporate network and alert IT managers to any potential vulnerability present in the system.

The final award is the Sustainable Innovation Award that celebrates outstanding advances by Yorkshire and Humber businesses in environmental sustainability through the development and marketing of innovative products, processes and services. The three companies shortlisted are:

Bioflame Ltd who use their cleanburn technology to deliver a plant that converts 30,000 tonnes of low grade biomass waste (that would otherwise go into landfill sites) into 20,000 megawatt hours per year of electricity supplied to the National Grid - enough energy to power over 6000 houses from each site. Havard Engineering developed LeafNut, a ground breaking central monitoring and wireless control system for street lights which can lead to savings of £46 per street light per annum. Or Tadpole Energy Ltd creators of Tadpole, a deaerator designed with proven technology, to remove dissolved air and thereby oxygen from water in a domestic heating system to an inert level, preventing the development of magnetites which corrode the components of the system.

Julie Kenny, Yorkshire Forward Board Member and chair of the short-listing panel, said: “The overall standard of entries this year has been exceptionally high and we really had our work cut out narrowing down such a large number of high quality entries to just 12, which speaks volumes about the thriving nature of the Innovation Sector within the region.
“By recognising those companies within the region who excel through innovation, the bar is continually being raised. But I am confident that the skilled workers at businesses in Yorkshire and Humber will continue to meet, and exceed, the increasingly high standard they set themselves.”

Richard Gregory, chairman of Yorkshire Innovation, said: “The quality of the shortlist demonstrates tremendous promise for the future competitiveness of this region. I hope the event acts as an inspiration for others and helps spread the word that Yorkshire is a great place to innovate."

Yorkshire innovation impresses the Middle East at Arab Health 2010

j.p.brannan@medilink.co.uk — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:30:27 GMT

Over 20 companies from across the region enjoyed the most successful Arab Health exhibition on record last week, when they exhibited their pioneering products at the largest and most prestigious trading platform in the Middle East.

With a wealth of healthcare research, development and innovation, Yorkshire and Humber is home to some of the world’s most distinguished scientists and innovators and Arab Health allowed exhibitors to highlight exactly how their pioneering products are improving healthcare around the world.

With over 25, 000 visitors at the show, Arab Health allowed exhibitors from across the region to highlight exactly how their pioneering products are improving healthcare around the world.

From the world’s first surgical cling film to the latest in patient tracking, Yorkshire and Humber has the latest cutting edge solutions and is proud of its reputation for quality, innovation and excellence.
Supporting companies at the show alongside Medilink Yorkshire and Humber – the organisation that supports the growth of the healthcare sector in the region -was UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) – a Government organisation that provides companies with dedicated assistance to internationalise their business.
Charlotte Fraser, International Manager at Medilink Y&H, regional sector specialist for UKTI, and organiser the Yorkshire Pavilion at the show, said: “Yorkshire and Humber enjoys an excellent trading relationship with countries across the Middle East, with sustained investment in health delivery reforms leading to the demand for the latest technologies and medicines.

This year in a bid to further develop new trading collaborations, there were a wide range of pioneering companies at the exhibition showcasing the latest in cutting edge products and innovations.”

Some of the products on display at the show included UK based Inditherm Medical, who introduced the Middle East to their innovative patient warming systems. This unique device is clinically proven to reduce the risk of hypothermia, wound infections, and blood loss, as well as encouraging faster recovery times.
Surgical Innovations - a British designer and manufacturer of innovative surgical devices - attended the exhibition to launch their pioneering resposable™ concept to Middle Eastern surgeons. Resposable™ is a unique concept that combines both single use and reusable components to deliver the cost effectiveness of a reusable instrument with the optimum performance of a disposable.
Anetic Aid was also at the show to reflect British manufacturing at its best.
A regular to the exhibition, the company enjoys world wide recognition for their trolley systems which includes the QA3 patient trolleys, and their QA4 surgery trolley systems, which are all designed, developed and manufactured in the UK.

Printed hospital wristbands were introduced to the Middle East by
UK based Brenmoor. The innovative company currently supplies 70% of UK hospitals with printed identification wristbands to ensure their patients are correctly identified throughout their stay in hospital - a practice which the company is looking to roll out across the Middle East.

An advanced acute hospital bed, that combines practicality, world-class infection control and advanced ergonomics, attracted lots of interest when launched at the show. Designed and manufactured by British based Sidhil, the Independence Innov8 has been designed exclusively to meet the needs of hospital teams and patients around the world – making it one of the most comfortable, easy-to-use and practical hospital beds anywhere in the world.

The next generation in scalp coolers was showcased by Paxman Coolers, a device that provides cancer patients with the best possible chance of retaining their hair whilst undergoing chemotherapy treatment. The loss of hair during cancer treatments is a traumatic and psychologically devastating side effect and a constant reminder of the disease.

Braun International were also at the show, to meet with existing business partners and source potential distributors. As one of the leading global medical suppliers, Braun is a pioneer in the production of ultrasound medical equipment, medical oxygen concentrators and anaesthesia instruments.

Finally providing single use alternatives to replace difficult to clean reusable surgical instruments, Single Use Surgical travelled to Arab Health to educate the marketplace about their products and meet with potential distributors from across the Middle East. Already used in over 400 hospitals in the UK, Single Use Surgical guarantees a sterile and undamaged instrument every time.

New USA deal for Medilink member

j.p.brannan@medilink.co.uk — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:46:15 GMT

Medilink Y&H is pleased to announce that Surgical Innovations's Master US Dealer, Surgical Innovations US Inc, has signed a three-year agreement with Premier Inc, one of the largest Group Purchasing Organisations (GPO’s) in the USA.

GPOs help hospitals reduce costs by aggregating volume to negotiate favourable purchasing terms with vendors. The agreement provides an opportunity for SI, through SI USA, to gain access to Premier’s 2,300 member hospitals in the US with its Resposable® laparoscopic instrumentation portfolio, Logi®Range, an ergonomic system which combines reusable handles with disposable scissor blades and graspers. This provides surgeons with high quality, but cost effective instruments, for performing laparoscopic surgery.

Commenting on the agreement, Graham Bowland, Managing Director of Surgical Innovations Limited, said: “This agreement with Premier, one of the US’s leading GPOs, strengthens SI’s strategy of developing the Logi®Range brand through our collaboration with SI USA. The 2,300 member hospitals represent a considerable proportion of all US hospitals, therefore the agreement provides us with significant access to the US laparoscopic instrumentation market, which is estimated to be worth $150 million per annum. We look forward to seeing substantial sales growth of the Logi®Range as member hospitals are introduced to the brand.”

The Premier healthcare alliance is more than 2,300 U.S. hospitals and 64,000-plus other healthcare sites working together to improve healthcare quality and affordability. Owned by not-for-profit hospitals, Premier maintains the nation’s most comprehensive repository of clinical, financial and outcomes information and operates a leading healthcare purchasing network. A world leader in helping deliver measurable improvements in care, Premier works with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the United Kingdom’s National Health Service North West to improve hospital performance

Date announced for Medilink’s Innovation Day

j.p.brannan@medilink.co.uk — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:05:05 GMT

Celebrating healthcare excellence across the region, Medilink’s Innovation day 2010 will be taking place on July 8th between 12.30 and 18.30 at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

The Medilink Yorkshire and Humber Innovation Day showcases healthcare in the region, offers you updates on key issues within the industry, as well as awarding the very best in the sector with the Healthcare Buisiness Awards.

The four categories for the awards are:

Start-Up - The award for newly established companies in the healthcare sector that, having traded for up to 3 years, show a promising future.

Innovation - Awarding the development of an innovative technology, design or process, which has produced a major improvement in business performance or enhanced user benefit.

Partnership with the NHS - The NHS award recognises collaboration with the NHS that has, or will have major impact or benefit on business performance or patient care.

Export Achievement - The award celebrates outstanding performance in international trade.

Outstanding Achievement - For an achievement that has had a significant or vital impact on the business. Applicants should demonstrate substantial improvement in business performance and commercial success to levels that are outstanding relative to the applicant's operations.

If you would like to be considered for an award, entries will be open between 26th February until 28th May, please contact us to find out more.

Lord Darzi promotes UK healthcare innovation across Middle East

j.p.brannan@medilink.co.uk — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:11:42 GMT

UK Business Ambassador Lord Darzi, a leading figure responsible for healthcare innovation and reform in the UK, is attending Arab Health 2010 to promote the UK’s excellence in healthcare manufacture, services, technology and innovation.

Lord Darzi, an eminent British surgeon and former Health Minister, will take part in the opening ceremony, give a keynote address to senior surgeons and clinicians, and unveil the first portable home haemodialysis machine designed by a UK company.

Arab Heath 2010, which is being held in Dubai from 25-28 January, is the largest and most prestigious medical trade fair in the Middle East, attended by over 55,000 visitors last year. It presents a platform for UK companies to showcase their world-leading healthcare technologies and highlight how they are transforming the lives of patients and clinicians across the globe.

Lord Darzi, said: "The UK medical technology sector has 2,771 companies generating £10.6 billion of turnover. It has a large proportion of the world’s most innovative medical technology SMEs, multinationals and leading R&D centres. It is at the forefront of healthcare innovation, and it gives me great pleasure to be able to promote such innovative technologies and solutions at Arab Health 2010."

"We already have excellent trading relationship with countries across the Middle East, with sustained investment in health delivery reforms leading to demand for the latest technologies and medicines. We are looking forward to developing new trading collaborations in the future."

Supporting the UK companies at Arab Health is UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the UK Government’s international business development body. UKTI has a network of life science specialists across the globe and in the last year has helped almost 24,000 companies achieve international success.

Head of Life Sciences at UKTI, Jane Grady, said: "UK Trade & Investment is at Arab Health to showcase the UK Life Sciences sector. The UK is a world leader in innovation with its supportive regulatory environment, outstanding R&D and academic excellence. Our presence here is increased this year due to additional Government funding and support, which means we are able to do even more to promote UK companies and promote UK innovation and expertise."

Among the innovative products on display at Arab Health 2010 is the first portable home haemodialysis machine, which will be exclusively unveiled by Lord Darzi on the first day of the exhibition. Marketed by Kimal plc the NxStage System One home haemodialysis machine reduces the need for patients to travel to and from hospital-based renal centres to receive ‘End Stage Renal Disease’ treatment. In the Middle East, there are presently over 100,000 patients requiring haemodialysis treatment, including over 1900 in the UAE alone. The NxStage System One will reduce disruption to patients’ normal life, free up hospital beds and medical staff time and also give patient’s the option to dialyse at a convenient time in their own home.

The world’s first surgical ‘cling film’, developed by surgical specialist Tissuemed, will also be on display; a product which is revolutionising surgical procedures worldwide and delivering an unmet surgical need. The pioneering product called TissuePatch prevents the leakage of air, blood or other fluids that traditional stitches may not always contain and is effective within 30 seconds of contact.

Also on display will be the world’s first fully portable video laryngoscope, designed by Aircraft Medical Limited, a specialist in the global anaesthesia and critical care device markets. The device, a patented McGRATH® Series 5, uses a video camera mounted on a rigid CameraStick™ which together with the attached display screen provides access and view of the larynx for intubation, diagnosis, and passage of endotracheal tubes via a nasal or oral route. Being compact, 210g weight and having a cable free design means it can be easily and quickly deployed in any clinical scenario as has been documented in many publications.

Finally UK based Inditherm Medical, will also be introducing their innovative patient warming system to the Middle East. This award winning unique device is clinically proven and helps to reduce the risk of hypothermia, wound infections, and blood loss, as well as encouraging faster recovery times. Using patented flexible carbon polymer technology, Inditherm systems provide unique high thermal transfer characteristics to produce a completely uniform warming effect. Being fully re-useable there is an enormous cost saving over traditional products and combined with the low power consumption, a significant environmental advantage is delivered.

If you are interested in developing collaborative partnerships or trade links with UK companies or would like to would like to see the full range of pioneering products being showcased at the event visit the UK Pavilion in halls 6 and 7. Alternatively you can pre book a one-to-one meeting at Arab Health with any of the UK companies attending simply visit the website.

Medilink member offers internship

j.p.brannan@medilink.co.uk — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:17:36 GMT

A forward thinking medical company are looking for a young entrepreneurial intern to join their dynamic team and discover the opportunities available to them in healthcare.

Leeds based TWO Medical have developed a range of medical skin care products, including surgical and pre-operative scrub, wound care and cosmetics, and are currently targeting the UK Healthcare system as well as the consumer market.

They are looking for an intern to be involved in helping to develop and monitor a pilot study of clinical trials for two hand hygiene products which will be involve interacting with clinicians, academics and partner organisations across the sector.

Commercially aware, the intern will be asked to regularly report on the emerging laboratory and clinical evidence for each product, and assist with the management of service providers.

The intern may also be involved in structuring the scientific knowledge base
required to support commercial and legal requirements, including funding
applications.

Other general responsibilities may include:

The monitoring of the progress of the study.
Collecting and reviewing the study results.
Writing a comprehensive report of the study results.
Writing comprehensive reports of laboratory testing results.
Developing and structuring the scientific knowledge base of the company.

Working in Leeds the successful intern will need to be mobile and able to travel independently to locations throughout Yorkshire and the Humber.

To be able to grasp the scientific basis and primary implications of the technology, the applicant will have a master degree or be a graduate with experience and expertise in any of the following subjects:

Microbiology
Chemistry
Clinical / Medical

This is not simply an internship opportunity but the possibility of a job in the early stages of a promising company.

If you are interested or you have any questions please contact TWO Medical

The internship will be facilitated though the Orbis programme. For more details please visit their website

Seminar to provide routes to success for medical device companies

j.p.brannan@medilink.co.uk — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:10:56 GMT

The Commercialising Medical Technology seminar will provide participants with an understanding of the medical device market to increase their chances of successfully commercialising products and services; outlining current issues and providing advice on the best routes to success, with a focus on raising equity finance and sourcing grant funding for R&D opportunities.

With one of the UK’s highest concentrations of medical device companies, exceptional access to clinical trials, pioneering R&D facilities and Europe’s largest teaching hospital, the Yorkshire and Humber region is at the forefront of the latest advances in healthcare and medical devices making it one of the most important regions of the UK to exploit new technologies and market opportunities.

However, in a market weighed down by complex regulation and procurement procedures, the path to success can often be unclear for many small businesses who do not have the sufficient knowledge of how to commercialise technology and the best route to market.

The all day event will describe the current medical technology climate, explain routes to access finance and how best to source R&D grant funding, as well as providing advice on accessing the market and how best to overcome the regulatory hurdles.

Presenters include key support organisations specialising in the healthcare and medical device sector, including Medilink Y&H, Quotec and Grant Thornton, along with successful figures from industry who will illustrate their routes to success in developing profitable medical devices.

Companies seeking to develop new products and services for the healthcare market; from start-up and spin out companies, to established Plc’s are welcome to attend.

The event is free and will take place on February 24th at The Queens Hotel in Leeds. Due to high demand, places are limited; to register for the event please click here.

The event is run by Medilink Yorkshire and Humber, in conjunction with Quotec and Grant Thornton LLP, with support from Yorkshire Forward and the Department of Health.