The East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (EMAHSN) is pleased to announce that the first four clinical evaluation awards have been made as part of the INSTILS Project – part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The EMAHSN is contributing to the funding of these major new awards for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire based medical technology companies as a delivery partner of the INSTILS project which is led by Medilink East Midlands.

The awards to the four successful SMEs provide of up to 50% of funding for their trials of new medical technology. The trials being carried out are designed to provide the essential evidence base to demonstrate that the innovative products are both effective in delivering benefits to patients and that they demonstrate a sound health economics business case - to help accelerate the successful spread and adoption of a product throughout the NHS.

The four companies awarded funding to date are:

• NuVision Biotherapies Ltd
• Snowden Healthcare Ltd
• ViVO Smart Medical Devices Ltd
• Sanandco Ltd

The first awards have been made to small to medium sized companies based in the D2N2 / LEP area. Following the success of this initial programme - the first of its kind in the region -EMAHSN and Medilink East Midlands are now looking to extend the initiative across this and other areas of the East Midlands region for future investment awards, with details to be announced shortly.

EMAHSN Commercial Director Chris Hart explained: “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.”

The programme forms an integral part of the EMAHSN Industry and Enterprise Market entry and expansion support programme designed to enhance the spread of health innovations at pace and scale, both within the East Midlands region and nationally.

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 more than 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.”

For more information on the INSTILS programme please contact: Melanie Davidson 0115 822 3154 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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

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

For more information visit www.healthinnovation-em.org.uk

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 more than 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 more than 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 Sciences technologies, enable transfer of technologies between sectors and increase Research & Development investment.

About the European Regional Development Fund

The INSTILS project is receiving up to £2,029,464 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: www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding