These are unprecedented times and Medilink WM is seeing multiple requests, business opportunities, offers of help and new solutions and ideas. To ensure we fulfill all requests, we ask you to complete our 'Big Ask' Questionnaire.

Birmingham researchers, clinicians and medical device experts have teamed up to design and produce an innovative ‘pop-up tent’ to protect frontline medical staff from COVID-19.

UKRI will support excellent proposals up to 12-18 months duration.

Innovate UK, as part of UK Research and Innovation, will invest up to £20 million in innovation projects. The aim of this competition is to support UK businesses to focus on emerging or increasing needs of society and industries during and following the Covid-19 pandemic.

NIHR launch PPE Challenge to protect front line workers from COVID-19. 

EIT Health has opened a “Rapid Response” request for proposals from EIT Health Partners in collaboration with other partners, to support immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic. New projects or extensions of an existing project must be implemented rapidly, with full spending and completion taking place in 2020. Proposed activities must create short-term impact that […]

The UK government has made an urgent call to the life sciences sector to help increase the supply of antigen testing kits for the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospitals Charity has launched an urgent appeal to support NHS workers amid the ongoing Coronavirus crisis.

The European Commission has announced its intention to postpone the implementation of the new Medical Device Regulation (MDR) following the Coronavirus outbreak.

Do you have an innovative or novel approach to get ambulances cleaner quicker to help combat Coronavirus?

To help support children and young people during this difficult and uncertain time ORCHA has prepared a list of apps suitable for children and young people, all of which are safe to use according to their evaluations.

The entire world is ramping up efforts to control the Covid-19 pandemic, and while the toll on people’s lives is tragic and immeasurable, there is also huge economic uncertainty.

Medilinl WM member Mills & Reeve, a leading UK law firm offers a free online hub that includes a collection of insights and practical guidance to support businesses and individuals through the complex and difficult decisions they may be currently being asked to make.

With social distancing and self-isolation becoming increasingly important with the recent spread of Covid-19, more and more businesses are shifting to remote working. Medilink WM member Evolyst Ltd, Lumien has produced a free to access guide for employee well being and managing a remote team.

Updated (24 March) guidance for employees, employers and businesses in providing advice about the novel coronavirus, COVID-19 from Public Health England and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.

Following government guidance and instructions, the nation is remote working wherever possible, to reduce the spread of Covid-19, therefore having the right technology is critical to a business, whether public or private sector.

On 16th March the UK Government made an urgent call to businesses to help supply ventilators and ventilator components across the UK as part of it’s response to COVID-19 and the shortage of supplies within the NHS. Whilst others have been talking, West Midlands based companies have been busy in the background to answer the UK […]

With partners across the NHS and social care mobilising at scale in response to the developing COVID-19 pandemic, the role of England’s 15 Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) is to support them by helping them take full advantage of the most relevant innovations and technologies that can improve care for patients and support the AHSN Networks' services in this challenging context.

NHSX is calling on all innovators who can support the elderly, vulnerable and self-isolating during COVID-19 to apply for government funding of up to £25,000 to test their solution.

Medilink WM member the University of Birmingham part of the £20m investment 'COG-UK' - the new nationwide consortium, COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium. Investment of £20m has enabled the formation of a new nationwide consortium to map the spread and evolution of COVID-19 through whole-genome sequencing.

Medilink West Midlands is proud to share the following news article from Birmingham Health Partners, detailing how Medilink member University Of Birmingham is responding to the urgent shortage of hand sanitiser. Technicians and lab facilities at BHP founder member the University of Birmingham have been redeployed to respond to an urgent shortage of hand sanitiser needed by frontline social care workers to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.

This bulletin aims to keep the life sciences sector up to date on the latest guidance and important information from Government, with a special focus on the Coronavirus (Covid-19).

The Government is looking for businesses who can support in the supply of ventilators and ventilator components across the UK as part of our response to COVID-19.

'Business as Usual' at Medilink West Midlands. We are actively reviewing the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) to ensure the safety of our staff and to ensure continuity to support our members, clients, and partners.

Medilink West Midlands would like to share with you the latest Office for Life Sciences Bulletin. Providing the Lifesciences community up to date guidance whilst the UK is in the transition period and during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, providing important information from the Government to help our members and networks. Including COVID-19 key contacts Workforce Updates Business […]

With less patients attending general practices in person, and an increasing number of people choosing to self-isolate at home, digital health resources offer a practical tool that can be called upon for remote self-management.

Medilink WM member Mills & Reeve provide businesses with the facts regarding contractual, legal and insurance position in order to consider what action may be appropriate in the current global situation with the Coronavirus.

Compared to other cutting edge technologies, AI triggers a different level of concern about safe and ethical use. Medilink member Mills & Reeve offer a useful Q&A article, to help businesses better understand their responsibilities with AI and regulations.

The NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) has recently announced the 11 innovators who are joining the award-winning national accelerator in 2020.

With the global concern regarding the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) escalating and after discussions with SEHTA’s main partner in the NHS, Kent Surrey Sussex Academic Health Science Network, SEHTA has decided to move its Expo & Conference to Monday 28th September 2020.

The Medical Imaging Convention 2020 and all co-located events rescheduling due to Coronavirus. New dates announced 9/10 November 2020.

Special Business Readiness Bulletin – Important Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for businesses and employers

With global concern regarding the Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) escalating, and after monitoring the situation closely over the last few weeks and consulting with exhibitors and partners Rapid News Group have determined that it is in the best interest of all parties to postpone their Med-Tech Innovation Expo, scheduled for April 1-2 to September.

Are you a start-up or a small medium-sized enterprise working in the space of delivering improved healthcare? Do you have the potential to change how healthcare is delivered? The SME Innovation Fund can provide the support you need to help your business grow. With successful applicants receiving convertible loans of up to £50,000.

Leading researcher Professor Alexandra Sinclair from the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research has been awarded £1.68m of funding research.

The Africa Health exhibition and conference is the continent's largest assemble being held to pursue and research on medical health and life sciences

Welcome to the latest Office for Life Sciences bulletin, aimed at keeping the life sciences sector up to date on the latest guidance. The Office for Life Sciences (OLS) is a joint unit between the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) and Department for Business,  Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). 20.02.20 Office for Life Sciences Bulletin. If […]

The European Union’s Medical Device Regulation (MDR) and In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR) will replace the Medical Device Directive (MDD) and In Vitro Diagnostic Directive (IVDD) beginning with the MDR that takes effect May 26, 2020.

MDSAP is a ground-breaking program and will most likely become a game-changer for companies competing in the global medical device arena. Find out what new opportunities MDSAP will bring to the world of Med Devices.

The West Midlands Academic Health Science Network were honoured to support a sell-out conference, which brought together delegates from all over the World to share the principals of ‘Learning from Excellence’ in healthcare.

A new £10 million scheme will give leading researchers and businesses, based in the UK, the chance to work together to develop treatments and cures for those facing life-threatening conditions like cancer and dementia.

Advances in the fields of generative medicine, computational biology and medical imaging are paving the way for personalized medicine, which promises to be a key driver of the combination product market.

Birmingham Health Partners (BHP) has been recognised by Government for its world-class research infrastructure.

Medilink WM Regional Winners set their sights towards the 'Nationals' on 1 April at the HIlton Metropole, Birmingham.

An evening of celebration for West Midlands businesses. The life sciences, medical and health care community all came together to attend the Medilink WM Business Awards which took place at The Burlington Hotel, Birmingham to recognise the regions success and innovative solutions, supporting the health sector.

Medilink UK, the largest representative body for the Health Technology sector in the UK, has appointed Mr Kevin Kiely as its CEO. Kevin was co-founder of the Medilink model over twenty five years ago, which for the first time brought together in a formal regional association, the Health Technology and related Life Science industry, the NHS and universities, to drive innovation across the sector. Kevin will retain his position of CEO, Medilink North of England.

Coventry University’s Institute of Coding has been recognised at the West Midlands Tech Awards, which celebrates the best of the technology and digital industries throughout the West Midlands. The Innovation in Education Award celebrates organisations using cutting edge digital approaches to enhance and revolutionise the learning experience. Coventry University’s Institute of Coding is part of […]

West Midlands Academic Health Science Network (WMAHSN) to launch new innovation exchange platform. Designed to match healthcare challenges with solutions, and the healthcare ecosystem interacting and working together to improve the health.

Medilink West Midlands Patron, Birmingham City University has landed £3.4 million funding to create the new technological centre which will be based at its STEAMhouse facility in Birmingham’s Digbeth district.

The West Midlands Academic Health Science Network (WMAHSN) has launched a Digital Health and Skills Lab. Located within the Serendip Digital Health Quarter in Birmingham, the lab provides a space for the co-design of digital innovations, bringing together health tech businesses, clinicians and patients to develop and test solutions. It is designed to support the WMAHSN’s mission to increase investment in West Midlands life sciences, and to improve the health and wellbeing of people in the region.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate. It is estimated 26,500 people across the West Midlands currently have undetected AF or aren’t receiving optimal treatment. If left untreated, AF can increase the risk of stroke by around four to five times.

On 30 January, the AHSN Network will hold its Bridging the Gap event aimed towards Health-Tech developers and companies looking to get their innovations into the NHS. This event focuses on showcasing the East and West Midlands AHSN offer to industry and provides businesses with the opportunity to learn how, who and where to access the NHS.

Medilink WM member Orthocell, has been declared a winner in the national final of the coveted Pitch@Palace competition – a global movement started by the British royal family, which aims to amplify the work of entrepreneurs and deepen their global impact.

Innovate UK, as part of UK Research and Innovation, has up to £5.4 million from the government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) to invest in projects that seek to apply whole genome sequencing to the analysis of cancers.

Medilink West Midlands member Gowling WLG makes the shortlist in four categories at the British legal Awards 2019: TMT Team of the Year, Property Team of the Year, Innovation Through Technology Award and, jointly with Ashurst LLP, Competition/Regulatory Team of the Year.

Health app evaluation and advisor organisation ORCHA, has revealed that only 15% of healthcare apps available for download meet minimum standards set by its review process. Its evaluation of over 5,000 health apps has revealed that a significant number of healthcare apps available to download do not meet the minimum safety requirements. Notably, 75% of apps aimed […]

Artificial intelligence (AI) appears to detect diseases from medical imaging with similar levels of accuracy as healthcare professionals, according to research led by two Birmingham Health Partners (BHP) founder members.

Medilink West Midlands annual Medical and Healthcare Business Awards will take place on 13 February 2020. The Awards is our biggest event within our calendar, showcasing the best in life sciences across the region.

Medilink UK, a membership organisation representing over 1350 medical technology and life-science companies, is hosting a free event on 22nd October in Birmingham at Medilink West Midlands office to help life science businesses prepare for Brexit. The Midlands is the second largest Medical Technology employer in the UK, making the region a key player in […]

Medilink WM member Lil-Lets is committed to tackling period poverty and are excited to reveal their partnership with the young people’s sexual health & wellbeing charity, Brook, to work together to achieve this.

Medilink WM patron The Binding Site are set to show their continued support for Edward’s Trust’s in its ’30 in 30’ challenge event this October. Staff at The Binding Site Group are gearing up to run, walk and hula hoop for Edward’s Trust’s ’30 in 30’ virtual challenge event.

The S2I programme works closley with businesses to understand their technical problem and the impact it has on the business. S2I offers support to SMEs across all sectors including life sciences, medical technologies and advanced manufacturing and engineering.

NHS Digital is working with the University of Oxford, Microsoft and IBM to develop a new hub that aims to revolutionise the way in which clinical trials are delivered – providing foundation services to determine whether a clinical trial is feasible, and to support better planning and delivery of clinical trials in the UK. 

Free support & training for businesses interested in export with the Department for International Trade

Pharma Integrates is a world-renowned conference which brings together senior executives from across the pharma, biotech, CROs/CDMOs, investment and regulation landscape to examine the drivers and hurdles of today and resolve the critical business issues of tomorrow. As a partner of Pharma Integrates 2019, Medilink Midlands has secured a significant discount of just £295 + […]

Is your company productivity affected by the mental health wellbeing of your staff? Take the FREE Lumien on-line survey and get a FREE report to find the cost to your organisation!

Medilink WM patron MasterControl provides an informative article, highlighting to industry that software must not be overlooked when considering MDR requirements and compliance.

Scientists at the University of Birmingham have created an antimicrobial coating for steel surfaces which has proven to rapidly kill bacteria that cause some of the most common hospital-acquired infections.

The West Midlands Academic Health Science Network (WMAHSN) is pleased to announce they are hosting a Civility Saves Lives workshop on the 13th September 2019 at thestudio, Cannon Street, Birmingham.

Medilink WM Member Lil-Lets are proud to announce their support of Everton Ladies, who they'll be working with to highlight the benefits of sport to a woman's wellbeing.

UK Research and Innovation has announced the launch of the first tranche of competitions in the £98m Healthy Ageing Programme funded by the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.

UK businesses are invited to join the Department for International Trade Oncology mission to China. As the second largest healthcare market in the world the opportunity for UK businesses is huge, with its competitive advantage and innovative high-tech solutions.

The regulatory landscape for medical devices is presently very challenging. Industry is well aware that the three year transition period from a directive to a regulation ends on the 15th of May 2020, whereupon the new regulatory framework (MDR) will apply in full. This will be followed in May 2022 with the new IVD regulations.

A special day of activities, supported by Medilink West Midlands has launched two key initiatives focused on helping innovative Worcestershire businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive.

Medilink Midlands are excited to announce their support at the 'New for 2019' Medical Device Engineering zone at this years National Advanced Engineering Show.

Free access to NHS guide for SME's - Moving Forward

Medilink UK, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and the Economic Development Board Mauritius recently came together to discuss potential mutual benefits for the UK and Mauritius economy through medical device manufacturing.  

SBRI Healthcare are pleased to announce that the next funding competition will launch on 24 June 2019. Companies and organisations are being invited to bid for funding to develop solutions to challenges in Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and Integrated Care and Social Care.

Registrations of interest are now being taken for our forthcoming trade visit to MedTech in Boston, the premier global summit for medical technology industry leaders, before travelling to the state of Maryland - a powerhouse for innovation.

NHS Digital has issued an invitation to tender for existing and new suppliers to deliver a new IT systems framework for primary care.

One of Warwick Ventures (University of Warwick) med-tech spin-out companies which is developing an innovative transdermal drug delivery patch technology has secured a £2m investment from specialist technology funder Mercia Technologies.

On the evening of Wednesday 15 May the 2019 Medilink UK Healthcare Business Awards took place. The sell-out gala dinner was the best yet, with 250 professionals from across the industry coming to celebrate with the winners, network with peers and share their pride in the industry.

Positive outcomes for Midlands life science companies following City of Mentor visit.

Don't miss the deadline date of Tuesday 14 May to secure your exhibition space at Medica 2019 - the largest healthcare exhibition in the world.

Medilink WM Patron CSA Group to host medical device cyber risk event on 11 June at Hilton Birmingham Metropole.

Organisations can apply for a share of £1.5 million to help evaluate medical devices in real-world clinical settings