This partnership will enable businesses, researchers, and clinicians to develop and implement transformative healthcare solutions across West Yorkshire and beyond.
It will also foster a dynamic exchange of knowledge and expertise across both organisations, creating pathways for innovation in areas like virtual and augmented reality, AI, diagnostics and imaging.
With expanded access to cutting-edge facilities and expertise, this collaboration will drive business investment and strengthen West Yorkshire’s innovation ecosystem, fostering both national and international partnerships. The agreement will also enhance the development of the forthcoming Health Tech Innovation Hub at the Old Medical School at Leeds General Infirmary as part of the Innovation Village initiative.
To support this collaboration, the partnership will provide access to state-of-the-art shared working environments at LTHT’s Innovation Pop Up and hospitals, and NHIC’s Daphne Steele and Emily Siddon Buildings, promoting innovation and practical engagement.
LTHT’s Innovation Pop Up supports testing and developing new healthcare technologies. It connects health and wellbeing companies, therapeutic developers, and digital innovators with the NHS to drive patient care advancements.
The Daphne Steele Building, the first of several planned as part of NHIC, opened in 2024 and the Emily Siddon Building, currently under construction, is scheduled to open by the end of 2025. The latter will include a Health and Wellbeing Innovation Centre, which will host a business support programme for companies and entrepreneurs in the health and wellbeing sector, through the Huddersfield Health Innovation Partnership.
Innovation Pop Up members will gain access to NHIC’s resources, initially in the Daphne Steele Building and then later in the Emily Siddon Building’s advanced facilities such as 3D printing, simulated ward and theatre environments.
The partnership will open up access to innovative equipment for proof-of-concept studies collaboration. This will offer a dynamic environment to accelerate healthcare innovation supporting development of students, staff, local start-ups and entrepreneurs, adding to the growth of regional economy and innovation landscape.
Businesses can secure funding for research and innovation, gaining resources to support pioneering work in health and technology.
Dr Richard Evans, Head of Business Development & Innovation at LTHT, said, “We are thrilled to sign this agreement with National Health Innovation Campus at the University of Huddersfield. We have shared experience of pioneering spaces like our ongoing development of the Old Medical School Innovation Hub at Leeds General Infirmary and the University of Huddersfield’s Daphne Steele Building, dedicated to advancing health and well-being.”
“This collaboration represents a unique opportunity to share expertise, foster groundbreaking healthcare research, and make a lasting impact on the health and prosperity of the region and beyond.”
Professor Liz Towns-Andrews OBE, regional and business lead for the National Health Innovation Campus and 3M Professor of Innovation, said, “NHIC is a transformative project for the people of the region that aims to improve health outcomes and lead innovation in healthcare for the North of England, the UK and internationally. It is rooted in the University of Huddersfield’s outstanding track-record in professional courses and pioneering research, and its wide network of partnerships with leading health and care organisations.”