Clinical Innovators

London IVD helps clinical innovators, also known as clinical entrepreneurs, remove barriers and accelerate the introduction of new ground-breaking technologies, software and diagnostics which have the potential to transform care.

The NHS is full of amazing minds. People who work tirelessly to provide the best possible care for others but are often left frustrated by not having access to solutions that could make a positive impact and add value to the health system. This environment breeds many innovations that must be proven with the necessary rigour and evidence before they can be adopted in a clinical environment.

Our research packages are tailored according to the needs of each innovator we work with, based on where they are in the development of their product, technology or software. To enable us to do this, we need some information from you. Here are the steps:

• Firstly, we encourage innovators to make an enquiry using our contact form
• The information provided will help us set up a confidentiality agreement
• After a confidentiality agreement is signed, we will discuss funding options. We work with innovators on grant-funded projects, company-funded projects and academic collaborations
• The funding model determines the structure of the project. Once this is secured, the research project will start.

Find out how London IVD also helps academic collaborators, SMEs and large multinational organisations.

NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme

Introduction to UK digital health and care

Public Sector Healthtech Market: 2022 analysis

techUK Ten Point Plan for Healthtech

The AHSN Network

NHS Accelerated Access Collaborative

SBRI – the small business research initiative

MedTech Landscape Review

Medical devices: how to comply with the legal requirements in Great Britain

We’re also committed to helping inspire the next generation of successful clinical innovators through our education programmes. Working with our network of expert clinicians and academics, we provide a series of masterclasses for aspiring entrepreneurs. Through the programme we help clinicians understand what it takes to commercialise an innovation – taking it from idea through to commercially available product that can be used in the NHS. Interested? Contact us to find out when the next programme will run.

Where can I get support on market access within the NHS?

London IVD provides expert research and evaluation expertise for proving the efficacy, safety and viability of new technologies, software and diagnostics. However, if you are looking for an overview into market access in the NHS, you might be able to get this through your local regional AHSN.

What evidence is needed for regulatory purposes?

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published an Evidence standards framework for digital health technologies. The Framework classifies devices according to their function and explains what good evidence looks like for each.

What are unmet needs and how are they validated?

Unmet needs are things which make day-to-day living difficult for patients or a problem in a health care setting that does not currently have a solution. Unmet needs can be identified by anyone, regardless of profession or age.

Validating unmet needs is a critical step in developing health technology. Unmet needs are validated in the following ways:

• By speaking to other people in similar situations to find out if they have the same unmet need
• By reviewing and monitoring known unmet needs to identify potential trends
• By conducting a scoping exercise to find out if an innovation already exists that addresses the unmet need
• By engaging with stakeholders and end users to find out if they think the innovation is a good idea
• By conducting preliminary searches to find out if there is any protection, such as intellectual property, that may prevent the innovation from being developed.

How can I get funding for my clinical innovation?

There are a variety of funding options available to innovators, but they can be complex to navigate. Funding options include grant funding, company-funded projects, and academic collaborations. There are a number of competitions for grant funding that run on a regular basis. We provide more information on each of these on our funding options page.

Before we begin working on a potential project with you we ask clients to complete and submit an application form. This includes questions that allow us to set up a confidentiality agreement, if required. (Our standard non disclosure document can be found here.)