SBRI Healthcare Launches New Competition - Funding available to develop innovations to improve patient outcomes

An NHS England-funded initiative to develop innovative products and services that address unmet health needs, has launched the latest phase of a compeition to support small businesses.

SBRI Healthcare is making £2.5 million available for ideas that can address challenges in five key areas of healthcare: Child & Maternal Health, Integrated Care, Medicines Adherence, Musculoskeletal and Telehealth/Telecare for people with Learning Disabilities.

The Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) healthcare competitions provide seed funding for the development of novel solutions to address major healthcare challenges.

Successful projects will be selected on their potential value to the health service, patient benefit and the opportunity to back thriving businesses. Generally taking a three-phased development approach, projects start with a six month feasibility phase with an award of up to £100,000, and then move on to more detailed product development and NHS validation, where companies can secure up to £2M of support.

The initiative aims to enable innovation by providing funding for companies and also by offering expert NHS support to develop products that truly reflect patient need.

In 2013 a record 44 companies benefitted from the scheme, and the competition theme areas have been chosen in partnership with the Academic Health Science Networks.

The competition closes on 10 July and the winners will be announced in October. Briefing events for business to learn about the competition will take place on the June 3rd (Birmingham) and June 9th (Daresbury, Cheshire) 2014. To find out more visit

www.sbrihealthcare.co.uk

Posted on Wednesday 28th May 2014