Healthy North ideas get a £1.6m boost

Mar 4 2009 By The Journal

A NEW service for businesses to develop healthcare products has been launched in a £1.6m drive to exploit the North East’s strength in scientific research.

Northumbria University's Healthcare Technology Development Programme (HTDP) will provide a clear and practical route for SMEs to transfer research into commercial products.

It will offer targeted businesses fast- track support and multidisciplinary expertise to include every stage of product development, from research and concept design through to feasibility, prototyping, design for manufacture and clinical testing.

The project is being part-financed by the European Union’s ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-13, securing £750,000 ERDF investment through regional development agency One North East. ONE is contributing £420,000, with the remainder match-funded by the university.

Bruce Watson, enterprise development manager for Northumbria University’s School of Design said: "In the current economic climate, companies’ R&D plans and budgets are often the first area to feel the pain.

"We aim to ensure that the pipeline of innovative healthcare and wellbeing ideas continues and North East SMEs have access to a broad range of development expertise and funding support to keep them at the forefront of this sector. Recent NHS research suggests that in the UK only two out of every 100 innovative medical concepts emerge as a manufactured product. This project’s multidisciplinary support will ensure that we maximise new healthcare opportunities across the region."

HTDP will give healthcare sector businesses access to an integrated design-led service to encourage the development of ideas and give them the best possible chance to gain commercial viability. One North East head of European and skills strategy Lesley Calder said: "The programme will help over 50 businesses to develop start-up ideas or new products."

North East-based businesses looking to develop healthcare and wellbeing products and services can call Bruce Watson on 0191-243 7063 or e-mail bruce.watson@northumbria.ac.uk

The announcement is part of the Real Help for Businesses Now campaign launched by One North East, supported by The Journal, to signpost firms to support available to help them prosper during the recession.

For details call 0845 600 9006 or see www.businesslink.gov.uk/northeast