A Yorkshire medical device company has won an award in recognition of its collaboration with academic institutions at the prestigious Medilink Yorkshire & Humber Healthcare Business Awards.
Innovate Orthopaedics won the Partnership with Academia award in recognition of academic partnerships that led to the launch of its first product, which is now being used by surgeons across the UK.
Set up in 2015 by Alex Gutteridge and Hannah Longbottom, pictured, Innovate Orthopaedics is an independent medical device company based in the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre in Huddersfield, that challenges the current market status quo. The company partners directly with world-leading surgeons to design and manufacture products to address current issues in orthopaedic sports surgery.
Through partnership with academic establishments such as Sheffield University and Imperial College the young business has been able to successfully launch its first product, a patented, CE-marked screw specifically designed for use in reconstructing ligaments in the knee. The screw is currently supplied to a growing number of private and NHS hospitals throughout the UK.
During the initial design of the screw, Innovate Orthopaedics and the Medical AMRC in Sheffield worked together on concept evaluation through to prototype generation. The Medical AMRC also introduced the company to their manufacturing partner, Sheffield Precision Medical.
Innovate Orthopaedics then worked with Imperial College, London, to biomechanically test the screw.
Managing director of Innovate Orthopaedics, Alex Gutteridge, said: “Working in collaboration with academia is crucial when bringing a product to market. It is an area that can be undervalued by industry so we are really pleased it has been recognised in a specific award. We see it as part of being a responsible business. It is also a privilege and something we enjoy doing.
“Wining this award helps to endorse what we set out to achieve, which is to work openly and honestly with all our partners which includes academics, clinicians, industry and our customers.”
Kevin Kiely, Chief Executive of Medilink Yorkshire and Humber, said: “Health Technology across Yorkshire and Humber plays a major role in the region’s economic growth, and perhaps unique to our sector, in transforming healthcare delivery and improving the health and well-being of our citizens.”
