Lancaster University’s groundbreaking new Health Innovation Campus is on track to meet its ambitious target of engaging with 300 Lancashire SMEs by 2020.
The £44M initiative provides a tremendous opportunity to address healthcare challenges with regional relevance and national impact.
Critical to its success is a collaborative approach, bringing together businesses with researchers and health providers to work together on solving significant health problems.
A committed team is already engaging with partners to identify and work on innovative projects across Lancashire. More than 35 companies have now accessed fully-funded support, through a £2m grant from the European Regional Development Fund.
Dr Sherry Kothari, Director of the Health Innovation Campus, said: “The Campus will be a catalyst for improving health outcomes locally and fostering economic growth.
“It is clear that there is a need to do things differently and, in collaboration with our partners, the Health Innovation Campus will embrace this opportunity. Our objectives to address health inequalities, empower people to better manage their health, create healthier environments and encourage innovation in early diagnoses and interventions resonate with the NHS long term plan.
“Lancaster University has long been an economic anchor and driver of innovation. The Health Innovation Campus will continue to engage with business leaders to develop innovative new products, services and processes for the health and wellbeing sector.
“The campus is built on the principles of open innovation where good ideas and expertise can come from anywhere. Support is available for businesses who are new to the health and wellbeing market or who already have a product/service in place but want to expand.
“For aspirational businesses in Lancashire this is a real opportunity to begin a journey with the University to develop and grow innovative ideas which have the potential to transform lives.”
