Anglia Ruskin University has been selected as NHS England and NHS Improvement’s official partner

Anglia Ruskin University has been selected as NHS England and NHS Improvement’s official partner to help healthcare innovators gain commercial knowledge, skills, and experience to make their ideas become a reality and help nurture them.

A combination of more than 60 cross-sector partners has been formed by ARU, including multinational companies such as Deloitte, IBM, Unipart, as well as NHS hospitals, research charities and business and innovation support networks such as Medilink Midlands and the Biocity group, to create economic growth and deliver the programme in the life science sector.

The network will provide access to NHS test and evaluation sites, internships, academic and commercial facilities in America, Africa, Europe and Australia, access to funding and connection to customers.

International organisations and partners in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will also establish Clinical Entrepreneur Programme Chapters to inspire homegrown life science start-ups.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor for research and innovation at ARU, Professor Yvonne Barnett, stated: “The global pandemic has demonstrated how important the UK life science industry is to our nation’s future. COVID-19 tests, vaccines and virtual medical appointments have been a key part of our battle with Coronavirus. Now we look forward to delivering entrepreneurial education to the NHS nationally, building on our reputation as a regional anchor for health training and one of the largest providers of HE provision for healthcare professionals in the UK.”