Pictured, from left to right, are Henry Rigg, chief executive of 3M Buckley Innovation Centre; Professor Tim Thornton, deputy vice chancellor at the University of Huddersfield; Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire; Richard Stubbs, chief executive of Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber; and Professor Liz Towns-Andrews, 3M Professor of innovation and director of research and enterprise at the University of Huddersfield. Credit: Heather Magner, Northern Exposure.

Mayor opens health innovation hub

A West Yorkshire health innovation centre has opened to help businesses bring new healthcare technologies, products and services to market.

The University of Huddersfield has officially launched its new Health Business Innovation Centre (HBIC) on the National Health Innovation Campus, with the facility formally opened by West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin.

Managed by the team behind the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre, the HBIC will support emerging health, life sciences and wellbeing businesses with flexible office and laboratory space, collaborative workspaces and access to academic and clinical expertise.

The centre also features a dedicated Health and Wellbeing Innovation Maker Space, offering facilities including 3D printing, prototyping and immersive technologies to help organisations develop and test new ideas.

Mayor Brabin said: “Getting access to the right space and equipment is vital for healthtech businesses to thrive.

“The National Health Innovation Campus gives innovators the tools they need to test their ideas and rapidly build life-saving and life-changing technologies.

“Our Investment Zone makes us a magnet for the next generation of healthtech businesses and is further proof that devolution equips regions to compete on the world stage, keeping West Yorkshire at the heart of the NHS and at the forefront of tomorrow’s health innovations.”

Part funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the HBIC also forms part of the Huddersfield Health Innovation Incubator, a West Yorkshire Investment Zone programme supporting early-stage businesses.

Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber has already joined the centre as its anchor tenant.

Richard Stubbs, chief executive of Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, added: “It is a perfect fit for us to be part of the National Health Innovation Campus, where we can work closely with researchers, innovators, the NHS and industry to develop cutting edge new technologies and other solutions.

“The population of Yorkshire and the Humber experiences some of the biggest health challenges in the country, with the third lowest life expectancy for both men and women.

“Aligning so many brilliant assets and people in one place gives us a fantastic opportunity to be a leader in developing innovations which transform and extend lives, for our own communities and worldwide.

“This is a great venue for our successful Propel Healthtech programme and businesses who see the benefits of being co-located with leaders in innovation, may choose to move in and grow here.”

Professor Tim Thornton, deputy vice chancellor at the University of Huddersfield, added: “The Health Business Innovation Centre marks an important investment in Huddersfield’s innovation landscape, strengthening the University’s role in research, innovation and supporting local and regional business growth.

“By co-locating businesses alongside academics, clinical partners, specialist facilities and expertise on the wider campus, it provides a unique environment for collaboration and real-world application.

“We are already seeing strong interest in the Centre and look forward to attracting organisations committed to delivering meaningful impact in the sector.”

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