Further funding boost for medical device innovation in Scotland

Additional funding of £3.35 million has been awarded to the Medical Device Manufacturing Centre at Heriot-Watt University by Scottish Enterprise to accelerate novel medical device innovation and to improve the industry’s sustainability.

The new funding, confirmed by the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, Neil Gray, during a recent tour of the Heriot-Watt University-based MDMC facility, will help to address current challenges facing organisations like the NHS, by exploring the inclusion and development of degradable or reusable polymers. Work will also be conducted on the real-time evaluation of the carbon footprint of manufacturing processes and the safer removal of greenhouse gases in the NHS.

Further support is also planned for earlier-stage entrepreneurs in healthcare who are part of Scottish Enterprise’s High Growth Spinout Programme.

The MDMC consortium, including the University of Edinburgh, the University of Glasgow and Robert Gordon University, has now also been joined by the University of Dundee, which has an impressive legacy in precision machining of metal-based devices. A considerable suite of commercial manufacturing equipment at what was formerly IMSaT (The Institute for Medical Science and Technology) in Dundee, will be reconditioned to cover the field of key-hole surgery for brain, limb and heart applications, implantable devices and endoscopic devices.

Secretary Neil Gray said: “This funding will not only drive innovation across the healthcare landscape, but help produce more sustainable medical devices as we continue our transition to net zero. Having previously supported the MDMC through the Scottish Government’s Advancing Manufacturing Challenge Fund, it is fantastic to see these state-of-the-art facilities continuing to encourage collaborative working. Innovation is a priority, and the National Innovation Strategy sets out plans to drive up our performance and compete with the best in the world over the next decade.”

Professor Marc Desmulliez, Manager of the MDMC facility added: “This significant funding from Scottish Enterprise will enable us to continue to support and elevate Scottish medical device innovation, creating new and ground-breaking medical devices with global impact. Scotland is brimming with entrepreneurs, but they need access to the right resources, facilities and expertise at the right time to bring their products to market and benefit patient care.

“We believe that companies are unable to fully realise the potential value of their medical device technologies due to the high costs and limited access associated with conducting clinical investigations, consulting health economists and utilising cadaver models. This next growth phase for the MDMC will further accelerate Scotland’s offering in this crucial sector, maintaining our world-leading stance in the field of medical device creation with a renewed focus on sustainability and environmentally sensitive manufacturing techniques.”

More information online