The Research and Innovation (R&I) Health Accelerator is a new ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) part-funded project delivered by Health Innovation Manchester, The University of Manchester, The University of Manchester Innovation Factory, Manchester City Council and Bionow.

The project invites SMEs to collaborate with Greater Manchester’s research and innovation institutions to accelerate development and improve commercialisation of innovative healthcare products and services within life sciences. SMEs will be able to access expertise and support including information about navigating the health and care system, developing value propositions, ethics & regulatory advice and access to university-wide expertise.

There will also be opportunities to build lasting research collaborations between SMEs, researchers, Greater Manchester universities, NHS organisations and the broader health innovation community. These collaborations will be used to share knowledge, address the barriers to adoption and co-develop proposals for research and development projects.

Companies engaged within the support programme and collaborating with a research institution will also have the opportunity to apply for innovation vouchers of 24 x £2,499 and follow on vouchers of 5 x £20,000. In addition, there will be post doctoral research assistant support up to £20,000 from The University of Manchester, including access to facilities.

Join us on Thursday 3rd December as we launch this new opportunity. The focus of the afternoon will be on the collaboration journey between SMEs, higher education and the NHS, with a wide range of speakers covering each perspective.

Agenda

2:00pm – 2:10pm Welcome and introduction to the ERDF R&I Health Accelerator.

Richard Deed, Associate Director of Industry, Health Innovation Manchester

2:10pm – 2:20pm What does the ERDF R&I Health Accelerator mean for SMEs? Benefits, aims and catalysts.

Victoria Bertenshaw, Research Operations Manager, Health Innovation Manchester

2:20pm – 2:30pm Post-Doctoral Research Assistant case studies: How can PDRA’s further your commercialisation?

Professor Paul Townsend, Associate Dean and Professor of Molecular Cell Biology, The University of Manchester

2:30pm – 2:40pm UMIF: Commercialisation and negotiation with academia.

Andy Wilkinson, CEO, University of Manchester Innovation Factory

2:40pm – 2:50pm University assets and expertise: The benefit of collaborating with academia.

Dr Lloyd Gregory, Academic Partnerships Director, Health Innovation Manchester

2:50pm – 3:00pm Our Story: Working with Health Innovation Manchester as an SME.

Rory Cameron, CEO & Co-Founder, Gendius

3:00pm – 3:10pm NHS Collaboration – The benefits of NHS/SMEs working together.

Brendan McGrath, Consultant Anaesthetist – MFT NHS

3:10pm – 3:20pm ‘Spinning out’ from academia.

Aline Miller, CEO, Director & Founder, Manchester Biogel

3:20pm – 3:30pm Q & A Session.

3:30pm – 3:35pm Closing Remarks and how to engage.

Daniel Zamora, Commercial Programme Manager, Health Innovation Manager

For further information please contact:

Victoria Bertenshaw, Research Operations Manager, Health Innovation Manchester

Email: Vicky.Bertenshaw@healthinnovationmanchester.com