Six companies, supported by Health Innovation Manchester, have been named amongst BusinessCloud’s MedTech 50 and HealthTech 50 innovation rankings in the UK for 2021.

Readers of the online technology publication and an independent judging panel have together decided the 100 companies blazing a trail with original technology for the healthcare and medical sectors.

The six companies supported by Health Innovation Manchester’s commercial team have accessed support and funding through programmes such as STEP INto Healthcare, Momentum Fund and have developed vital links with partners across Greater Manchester’s health and care system.

Richard Deed, Associate Commercial Director – Industry at Health Innovation Manchester, said:

“It’s great to see so many companies that we’ve supported amongst the top 50 innovation rankings for this year. We’ve offered each bespoke support, to either accelerate their innovation at an early stage of development or provide important engagement with clinical systems. To see these companies go from strength to strength proves that our support is making a real difference, not only to their journey but to our regional offer, solidifying GM as an industry leading player in healthcare and med-tech.

“We also feel that our relationships with partners is a key driver to fast-tracking system engagement for these companies and their innovations, which only improves the performance of the health and care that we can provide for our citizens in Greater Manchester.”

The companies and innovations selected as part of BusinessCloud’s MedTech 50 are:

Xploro – a clinically proven Digital Therapeutics application that uses augmented reality, gameplay and artificial intelligence to deliver health information to young patients, reducing the anxiety associated with hospitalisation, improving health literacy and fostering better engagement with health services. Xploro were supported through Health Innovation Manchester’s STEP INto Healthcare cohort, with early development support including assisting with a trial with Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

Gendius – the Intellin app-based platform created by Gendius uses AI to calculate risks relating to diabetes. Gendius have had support through the Health Innovation Manchester Momentum Fund, enabling a key piece of market research to better understand the patient journey and the correct requirements needed to support patients via the application.

Sky Medical – Sky Medical Technology has created Behind OnPulse platform and geko wearable to stimulate improved blood flow for wound healing. Health Innovation Manchester was able to develop links between the company and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), which will provide funding for clinical evaluation at MFT ICU.

The companies and innovations selected as part of BusinessCloud’s HealthTech 50 are:

Orcha – a digital health application evaluation and advisor organisation. Orcha has worked with Health Innovation Manchester receiving general system engagement including access to teams across Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and Bolton Royal NHS Foundation Trust. Other support included directing innovators to Orcha to use their app validation system.

Doc Abode – digital workforce software for the healthcare sector, Doc Abode has been designed to support healthcare providers to deliver home care to NHS patients, meaning clinicians can view and accept home visit requests based on their availability, proximity and expertise. Doc Abode were supported through Health Innovation Manchester’s Momentum Fund, which saw the innovation receive funding which enabled further developments to demonstrate the impact of Doc Abode at scale across a wider Greater Manchester footprint.

Clin-e-cal – an interactive game to help young children with their inhalers and spacers created by Clin-e-cal, a company with close links to both Manchester University and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT). Clin-e-cal received support to access academic input and general business support through Health Innovation Manchester’s commercial team.