Heriot-Watt University partners with ABHI to advance health tech research

Heriot-Watt University is focusing on accelerating health tech research and development, through a partnership with the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI).

The two organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will see more than 150 academics in Heriot-Watt University’s new global research institute in health and care technologies work with the ABHI.

Heriot-Watt and ABHI will collaborate to cultivate an industry-wide spirit of co-creation by leveraging existing relationships with multinational, small and medium-sized companies, according to a press release issued 28 June 2024.

It says that the “collaboration will take a ‘triple helix’ approach, engaging academic, health systems and industry partners throughout Scotland and the UK with a commitment to understanding the challenges innovators face in health tech research and commercialisation”.

Steve McLaughlin, vice principal and provost at Heriot-Watt University said: “We will work together to co-develop research, address regulation, enhance data and insight, while meticulously championing patient privacy and protection.

“The ABHI provides valuable insights into market trends and cross-territory landscapes.

“By leveraging our combined international connections, we aim to support innovators in accessing global markets and attracting foreign investments to Scotland”.

He added that the mission of the new global research institute in health and care technologies is to “collaborate closely with industry and sector partners to deliver innovative, sustainable, and practical solutions to global health challenges”.

“This MoU exemplifies the kind of collaborative approach we want to promote,” McLaughlin said.

Peter Ellingworth, chief executive at ABHI, said: “By fostering such collaborations, we can drive sustainable innovation, enhance patient care, support economic growth, and ensure that groundbreaking technologies reach the market more efficiently”.

Heriot-Watt has campuses in Scotland, Dubai and Malaysia. Its global research institute aims to turn research into practical solutions to positively impact people’s lives, the NHS and health and care globally.

The ABHI represents the health technology industry to stakeholders, including the government, the NHS and regulators.

Heriot-Watt was part of the €8.4 million Socially Assistive Robots in Gerontological healthcare (SPRING) project to test out socially assistive robots in a Paris hospital which concluded in early 2024..