How we support medical technology, device and diagnostic companies

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Summary

We work in partnership with medical device, digital technology and diagnostic companies (collectively known as MedTech) to help them successfully translate innovative ideas into the clinical setting.

Overview

We support MedTech companies across all stages of product development: from identifying unmet clinical needs to designing and running clinical studies.

Areas of expertise covered include:

Public and patient involvement
Device design
Patient care pathway analysis
Clinical evaluation
User testing and human factors
Clinical validation
Health economics
Finding sites for your study
Patient recruitment
Regulatory advice

Our experts and support teams are based within National Health Service (NHS) organisations and universities throughout England and our services are available for all types of MedTech companies including medical device diagnostics/technology, in vitro diagnostics (IVD), imaging and radiology. We also support non-life sciences companies including software developers and digital companies that are working on healthcare solutions.

Companies can access these resources at any stage in their product and clinical development process. Engaging with the NIHR at an early stage in your product development can provide real benefits, such as guidance on further development of the technology and early go/no go decisions.

Funding support for SMEs

Our research funding programmes span the research innovation pathway, from innovation and product development to evaluative research including large-scale clinical trials and post marketing studies.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are eligible to apply to a number of our funding programmes, either as a lead applicant, or a co-applicant with an academic or clinical partner.

Find out more about funding opportunities for SMEs and the life sciences industry

The NIHR invention for Innovation (i4i) Programme is dedicated to supporting and advancing the development of innovative healthcare technologies. Its Connect funding stream is specifically designed for SMEs in need of a funding boost to reach the next stage in the development pathway.

Find out more about the i4i funding programme

Medtech and In vitro diagnostics Co-operatives (MICs)

Through our NIHR Medtech and In vitro diagnostics Co-operatives (MICs), we can help you to develop new medical technologies and provide evidence on commercially-supplied in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests.

Based in leading NHS organisations, the MICs act as centres of expertise and bring together patients, clinicians, researchers, commissioners and industry.

The NIHR MICs launched on 1 January 2018, with more than £14 million awarded across 11 NIHR MICs over 5 years until 2022 (extended to March 2024). The MICs are shown in the map on this page and are listed here:

MICs can help you to build a multi-disciplinary team that will work collaboratively with you to ensure you generate the evidence you need to support adoption of your medical device, digital technology or diagnostic in the NHS.

If you are interested in working with the NIHR MICs or would like more information, please get in touch with us.

Run your research study in the NHS

Our Study Support Service is free and helps life science companies and CROs to plan, place and perform high quality research to time and target in our NHS and wider social care environment.

In 2021/22 financial year we supported 83 MedTech companies and 18 CROs to recruit 9,253 participants into 137 MedTech studies. That same year, 27 MedTech studies closed and, with our help, 70% of them met their recruitment target on time.

Whether your study is single or multiple site, a range of support is available.

You may also be interested to know how our services complement the paid-for support services that are provided by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Contact us

The earlier you get in touch the more you will benefit from our support

Contact the Industry team

Stay in touch

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Hear from MedTech companies we have worked with

Read case studies and watch related video content about projects we have supported, including RELIEVE IBS-D - the UK’s first fully virtual, commercial, interventional trial for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea.

Read the case studies