Funding on offer to help companies with clinical trials – building evidence to accelerate entry into NHS markets.

A major new programme for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire based medical technology companies is offering funding and support to set up clinical trials, helping them to build the evidence needed to win new business from NHS organisations.

East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (EMAHSN), in conjunction with Medilink East Midlands has launched a new MedTech trials programme aimed at small to medium sized companies based in the D2N2 LEP area, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The programme forms part of the Medilink East Midlands’ ERDF-funded INSTILS Project, which launched this summer.

Medical technology (MedTech) products could include an instrument, apparatus, appliance or software that can prevent, diagnose or treat diseases, improve services for patients, and or save money by enabling health services to run more efficiently. Many businesses do not have the resources or expertise to set up clinical trials of their products and this programme will assist Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire based companies who have developed innovative devices and want to take them to the next stage of commercialisation.

Trials are essential since they provide the evidence base to demonstrate that an innovative product is both effective in delivering benefits to patients and has a sound health economics business case. With pharmaceutical products there is a clearly defined pathway of trials that can be undertaken to reach this point.

This is not the case for many SME’s working in the MedTech arena. For some this may be their first entry into the medical products market and they may not have the network of contacts and understanding of the NHS structure needed to successfully plan and support a clinical trial. Others may struggle to fund a trial comprehensive enough to produce conclusive evidence which is acceptable to clinicians and NHS commissioners.

The EMAHSN MedTech Trial Programme includes:

• Up to 50% match funding to SME’s to support trials which will provide clinical evidence of efficacy for products
• Introduction to research and innovation groups within NHS Trusts who are interested in hosting clinical trials
• Assistance in defining the most appropriate type of trial in order to support NHS market adoption
• Signposting to funding and support that may be available from other agencies

EMAHSN Commercial Director Chris Hart explained that the initiative is the first of its kind in the region; “Having a robust evidence base which confirms the patient and economic benefits of an innovation is a vital ingredient to the successful spread and adoption of a product throughout the NHS.

“EMAHSN exists to support the spread of health innovations at pace and scale,” he said. “The MedTech Trials Programme provides companies with both the funding and support needed to establish robust trials at this critical stage in the product lifecycle. We can also use our region-wide and national contacts to help identify the most appropriate site to undertake the trial.

“Our region has a strong and growing reputation for the development of medical technology devices and products, but many innovations fail to succeed in the NHS market due to the difficulty in developing robust clinical evidence. If the programme proves successful in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, we will look to expand it to other areas in the East Midlands.”

The programme will be administered by Medilink East Midlands, the region’s life science industry association that helps companies establish, develop and grow.

Dr Darren Clark, Chief Executive of Medilink East Midlands, said: “We are delighted to be working alongside the EMAHSN on this exciting new programme, which will provide valuable support to Medical Technology companies across the region. The Medilink East Midlands INSTILS project follows on from the ERDF-funded healthcare and bioscience iNet, which ran from 2008-2015 and supported over 1000 companies. The MedTech Trials Programme is a valuable addition to the support we currently provide, and we look forward to continuing to assist Life Sciences companies across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.”

Initially the programme is open to small and medium sized (SME) companies with a base in Derbyshire and / or Nottinghamshire – for full details, including the ERDF requirements contact Medilink on 0115 822 3154 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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About the partners

East Midlands Academic Health Science Network
(EMAHSN) is one of 15 Academic Health Science Networks in England. EMAHSN brings together the NHS, universities, industry and social care to transform the health of the region’s 4.6M residents and stimulate wealth.

Current priorities focus on identifying and spreading innovations that address challenges including cancer, obesity, diabetes, mental health, respiratory disease, stroke, liver disease and support for frail older people.


Medilink EM
Medilink EM is the East Midlands life science industry association, whose aim is to help companies establish, develop and grow. Its network of more than 4,100 contacts in over 700 organisations represents all aspects of the sector, including private and public institutions; from multinationals to high potential start-ups, as well as the NHS and universities.

The organisation is a founding member of Medilink UK; a national network supporting over 3,000 companies across the entire UK.

Medilink EM provides specialist support to boost the region’s economic output from life sciences by overcoming barriers to growth. Medilink’s highly knowledgeable team is a proven and trusted source of expert assistance.

For more information visit www.medilinkem.com


About INSTILS: Inspiring Networking to Stimulate Technology Innovation in Life Sciences
INSTILS is an initiative, which is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and delivered by Medilink East Midlands.

The key aims of INSTILS are to deliver high quality innovation support, work alongside emerging Life Science technologies, enable transfer of technologies between sectors and increase Research & Development investment.


About the European Regional Development Fund
The project is receiving up to £2,496,550 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.

The Department for Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund.

Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.

For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding


Media enquiries: Chris Taylor 0115 748 4242 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Lucy Hose 0115 748 4243 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.