Building a World Leading Med-Tech Cluster Fully Integrated with NHS Wales

The Cardiff Capital Region is home to mature medical devices and diagnostic companies, cutting-edge genomic research at Cardiff University and a vibrant cohort of young Med-tech companies.

The region is also already home to the other ingredients required to transform CCR into the home of next generation diagnostics including:

  • The Life Sciences Hub – funded by Welsh Government to break down the barriers to innovation in the NHS
  • A devolved NHS – flexible enough to adopt innovation to transform the health and wellbeing of the region
  • The Compound Semiconductor Cluster – the future of electronics; faster, lighter, cheaper, with additional functionality

Our aim is to bring these strands together into a thriving, R&D-led Med-tech cluster, creating an ecosystem where businesses can work in tandem with cutting-edge research, draw on the potential that compound semiconductors present, and deliver innovation directly into the NHS, benefitting the health and wellbeing of the region whilst also driving economic growth. At the centre of the vision is a Med-tech ecosystem, built on the Cardiff Edge site at Junction 32 of the M4. The aim is to create a connected, competitive and resilient site which goes far beyond a typical science park. In doing so, we will create a magnet for inward investment, and a skills pool to compete with Oxford, Cambridge and the North West.

The site itself is ideally located, with excellent rail infrastructure thanks to the Metro project, and its location on the M4 provides an easy commute from any part of the Capital Region. The CCR City Deal is proposing to invest in this site as a Joint Venture.

Share:

Proposition

Creation of:
  • Cutting-edge facilities (including cleanrooms and laboratories) with flexibility to cater for Medical Devices and Diagnostics companies, of all sizes and maturities
  • A RTO specialising in product design, prototyping of medical devices and implants
  • An open access facility for clinical development and training, providing facilities and expertise to test novel devices for regulatory approval, provide expert advice on regulatory pathways and to train surgeons in their use. Such a facility will be unique in the UK
  • A University Health Data Academy, training the next generation of data scientists on live business data challenges and using public health data-sets
These facilities and centres will be tailored to addressing challenges for scaling businesses in the sector. In so doing we aim to create a strong draw for inward investment and relocation of talent.

Requirements

  • £200m – To create the conditions necessary for the CCR to become the devices and diagnostics capital of the UK.
  • Activation of a med-tech mission – For a challenge fund linked to
    upcoming ISCF calls
  • Unlocking of IPO patents – For advance and repurpose orphan IP
  • Support from DTI – For targeted inward investment and mobilisation of med-tech partnerships formed via the Global Welsh Diaspora
  • Placement of a Med-tech discovery programme – Via ARPA-satellite presence

Other Opportunities