PRESS RELEASE 25/11/22
30 of the UK’s leading HealthTech pioneers, including SurePulse, are heading to Florida (27 November – 2 December 2022) for a week-long mission to promote the strengths of UK HealthTech stateside.
Led by the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI), the visit builds on the successes of recent trade missions to Texas, California, Minnesota and Tennessee, organised as part of ABHI’s flagship US Accelerator programme to promote the best of the UK abroad.
Together they will showcase the excellence of the UK’s HealthTech industry and highlight the strength of British innovation – seeking to strengthen trade ties between the two regions.
Florida is home to the nation’s second-largest medical device manufacturing industry, second-largest pharmaceuticals manufacturing industry and the fifth-largest biotech R&D industry. With a growing workforce and vibrant universities and research facilities, the region offers an ideal ecosystem for life science companies.
ABHI’s week-long mission will introduce members to the leaders from across this dynamic ecosystem, including hospital systems, accelerators, business chambers and professional service companies.
The visit will provide a prime opportunity for members to explore the strengths Florida boasts in life sciences while fostering partnerships and providing them with advice and guidance to help build and de-risk their market access strategy.
Along with a cohort of over 30 UK companies, SurePulse will be showcasing it’s wireless heart rate monitor which was specifically developed for newborn babies and has the potential to transform their care, especially those born premature or sick at birth.
James Carpenter, CEO of SurePulse said: “SurePulse is delighted to be among the leading UK HealthTech innovators joining the ABHI trade mission to Florida. We look forward to meeting with clinical leaders, exploring the opportunities for collaboration within the region’s vibrant healthcare and life sciences ecosystem, and showcasing what we have to offer.”
Over 1,440 establishments operate within Florida’s biotech, pharmaceutical and medical development scene, with a solid foundation of more than 46,000 healthcare establishments. The state offers these companies and R&D centres a broad range of industry expertise.
Today the State is home to globally renowned corporations such as Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, Amgen, and Pfizer, with the Tampa area housing world-class local institutions such as Moffitt Cancer Center. It also hosts a stellar list of life sciences companies with specialties ranging from global operations, R&D, and advanced manufacturing, and continues to attract talent from all over the world.
Paul Benton, Managing Director, International, ABHI commented: “Florida boasts one of the nation’s top life sciences industries with world-class talent and a breadth of opportunities for research and collaboration. The area has a huge engagement level and are keen to work with UK life sciences companies. We look forward to bringing over 30 of some of the UK’s leading HealthTech innovators as part of our first major trade mission to this buddling life science powerhouse.”
Centred in Texas, the ABHI US Accelerator is delivered in partnership with the Dell Medical School, one of the United States’ most pioneering academic institutions, based at the University of Texas, in Austin. Using the state as a springboard to other key states, the programme offers nationwide support, drawing on the relationships and connections ABHI has cultivated across the US.
A centrepiece of the 12-month programme is ABHI’s calendar of trade missions, which take place throughout the year, taking members to key states across the US, enabling them to explore new markets, minimise risk, meet new customers and gain valuable market insight.
The cohort of companies taking part in the visit to Florida in November will be showcasing a range of UK HealthTech products and solutions. Throughout the week, meetings will take place with a star-studded cast comprising senior leadership from the area’s hospital systems, this includes Baptist Health, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Jackson Health, Morsani College of Medicine and many more.
Joining the delegation to offer their expertise are a suite of NHS executives, including Lord Prior of Brampton, the immediate past Chair of the NHS; James Davis, Chief Innovation Officer at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust; Professor Paul Dimitri, Vice President for Science & Research, The Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health, Clinical Director, NIHR; Dr Neville Young, Director of Innovation and Enterprise, Yorkshire & Humber, Academic Health Science Network; and Louise Jopling, Commercial Director, Eastern Academic Health Science Network.
As the visit concludes this year’s trade mission activity, ABHI have announced applications are now open for UK HealthTech SMEs to join its 12-month programme of support in 2023. Established in 2017, the ABHI US Accelerator provides companies with exclusive access to ABHI’s full year-round programme of trade missions and virtual activity across the US.
For more information, and to apply, visit: https://www.abhi.org.uk/international/abhi-us-accelerator/
About ABHI
- ABHI is the UK’s leading industry association for health technology (HealthTech).
- ABHI supports the HealthTech community to save and enhance lives. Members, including both multinationals and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), supply products from syringes and wound dressings to surgical robots and digitally enhanced technologies. We represent the industry to stakeholders, such as the government, NHS and regulators. HealthTech plays a key role in supporting delivery of healthcare and is a significant contributor to the UK’s economic growth. HealthTech is the largest employer in the broader Life Sciences sector, employing 138,100 people in 4,140 companies, with a combined turnover of £27.6bn. The industry has enjoyed growth of around 5% in recent years. ABHI’s 330 members account for approximately 80% of the sector by value.