Featured Case Studies
Through our business support projects, Medilink Midlands has helped life science companies across the region to grow. Our support has enabled companies to diversify, take on additional staff and boost regional employment, introduce new products and services to both the company and the market, and collaborate with universities and the NHS. Please see below for examples of the types of companies which have been supported by Medilink, and more details on the bespoke support which we gave them.
BlueSkeye AI
Blueskeye AI uses machine learning to objectively and automatically analyse face and voice data to interpret medically relevant expressed behaviour and help improve quality of life.
To create the most-used technology for ethical machine understanding of face and voice behaviour trusted to measure the mind through the use of ubiquitously available, affordable technology
- BlueskeyeAI has grown from 14 to 28 colleagues in the last year
- Secured £3.4m in venture capital funding
- Launched a new software development kit (SDK); B-Social in 2022
- Launched B-Automove to support car manufacturers with delivering their digital health and wellbeing plans in 2023
- Innovation grant
- Winner of Medilink Midlands Business awards
“We have received from Medilink, an Innovation Support Grant for consultancy to support our imminent clinical trial.
We also won the Medilink Midlands Innovation Award 2023 following our “One to Watch” award in 2022, both of which have raised our profile in key markets”
Michael Valstar, CEO, Blueskye AI
Blum Health
Blum Health offers bespoke specialist recruitment solutions covering a range of disciplines in the Health Care Sector for private and public healthcare sectors.
Build a series of reusable software components (NHS Ready Software Components as a Service – SCaaS) that will allow them to increase their efficiency to innovate.
- Employment growth to a team of 20
- Use of Medilink Tender Portal to find a preferred software developer
“One of the things that is clear is the speed at which we’ve been able to access new opportunities across the Midlands and being able to meet more people across the Midlands.
I think without that, I probably still would have been focusing on other territories, focusing on other areas, and not have met half the people that I probably know today because of the access that was given to me by Medilink Midlands.”
Michael Watts, MD, Blum Health
Heal.Med CIC
HEAL.med CIC is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company set up to deliver knowledge and education to support children and young people with type 1 diabetes.
- Internationalisation of their education is still in a research and viability stage, but there is significant interest coming from all over the world. They are aiming for further roll-out in 2023/2024.
- Specialist Networking Grant to attend , the Friends for Life (FFL) USA Diabetes Conference, allowing HEAL.med to showcase their app and educational resources to the US market.
“By supporting us to attend the Friends for Life Conference in the USA, Medilink Midlands and the SoLSTICE project allowed us to ensure that we remain at the forefront of diabetes education. This, coupled with our future international expansion plans, means that we are in a far better position than we would have otherwise been, to expand internationally and deliver diabetes education across the world.”
Lee Paxman-Clarke, CEO
i3 Simulations
Having spun out of AiSolve, i3 Simulations brings intuitive, interactive, and immersive (i3) training simulations to help with the growing business needs of remote/virtual training.
The product is now delivered to more than 80 organisations in over 20 countries and continues to actively evolve through further research and content development.
Furthermore, they have delivered additional projects in North America, multiple contracts in Singapore, have gained traction and sales through localisation and research in Europe and are forming relationships and small pilot projects in the UK/NHS.
- Medilink Midlands was able to utilise its knowledge and experience to find and recommend various appropriate funding streams and relevant industry events and conferences.
- As part of the support offered by the ACTIS project, i3 Simulations was also able to apply for and receive a specialist networking grant, to assist with further relevant conferences.
“As part of our growth and expansion, it is only natural that we should look to grow internationally. ACTIS support has been a vital part of this and without the support we received, we wouldn’t be in such a strong position now.”
Devi Kolli, CEO.
iethico
iethico is a start-up company based in the Midlands with the ambition of using technology to address medicine shortages in the UK and internationally and reduce the amount of pharmaceutical waste in the supply chain.
iethico will benefit patients, by optimising the supply chain and increasing access to medicines, more patients will receive the most suitable treatment, reducing delay and interruptions whilst at the same time reducing the burden on frontline staff.
- iethico has recently begun beta testing of their first product
- The company is being used by a range of international wholesalers, manufacturers, NHS trusts, community pharmacy and digital pharmacy companies
- Signposted to local LEP for grant funding and support
- Funding helped to develop a prototype of the first product and commence the steps for registration with the MHRA, which assisted in securing further investment
“Medilink was really helpful to us at the beginning of our journey when no one else was. They provided us with advice, access to funding and networks to connect with. We wouldnt have got to the next stage of development had it not been for their support”.
Debra Ainge, Founder and CEO, iethico
JT Rehab Ltd
JT Rehab was incorporated in 2018 and created the S-Press as a way for hospital patients to safely begin their rehab journey as early as possible to reduce the chances of losing muscle strength.
For the S-Press to be widely used as a rehabilitation tool in the NHS, care homes and private hospitals and later expand to EU, Asia and US markets.
- Successful clinical evaluation
- The S-Press has passed all safety testing to be registered as a class 1 medical device and has a UKCA mark
- Medilink presented webinars around business development, NHS access and funding
- Gained a 30% IP funding grant for helping get a US patent finalised
“During Covid, Medilink presented a lot of webinars around business development, customer value proposition, NHS access and advice on finding funding. As a clinician becoming an entrepreneur with limited business skills or knowledge, I found these extremely helpful and confidence boosting. I went on to work with Theresa and gained a 30% IP funding grant for helping get the USA patent finalised. The USA will be a huge market for the S-Press and having the appropriate IP is really essential. ”
Jennifer Turner, Director and Founder, JT Rehab Ltd
Life Science Group
Within the UK, Life Science Group is the only contract manufacturer of cell culture sera and media. The company supplies and distributes tailored products and services within the UK and worldwide.
The Life Science Group has created a Xeno-free product range, including CellShip which has the capabilities of becoming a staple product for biotech companies, especially in the delivery of treatments within the Cell and Gene Therapy industry.
- Successful in providing contract manufacturing services to small and large companies who do not have the precise facilities
- Supplies UK and worldwide customer base
- Created and launched Xeno-Free product range
- Financial support and funding
- Assistance in networking and marketing activities
- Contact with like-minded companies in the region
“We have received invaluable support from Medilink Midlands through the years, especially in the recent difficult times. Medilink have been able to provide financial support, through marketing activities, and provide us with a resource to contact other like-minded companies in the region.”
Patricia Bou Assi, Product and Technical Sales Specialist, Life Science Group
MumPod
MumPod® Company Limited (MPCL) innovates to provide spaces and solutions for employers and services providers to support pregnant and breastfeeding parents.
MumPod® will provide lactation pods to areas such as NHS Trusts, military bases, university campuses, corporate organisations, airports, and retail centres with the aim to provide a safe space to support pregnant and breastfeeding parents.
- First 3 pods have been sold to NHS Hospital Trusts
- Ongoing quotes with two large American corporations
- Recent talks with a UK-based airport owner with multiple aiport buildings
- Received funding throughout prototype stages of the product
- Assistance in attending networking events in order to establish the company name in the Health and Wellbeing area
“Teresa was super helpful and supported us in switching our manufacturer during the grant schedule of payments so we were able to continue with the grant which helped soften the financial blow of cutting ties with the previous company.”
Ros McFadden, CEO and Founder, MumPod®
Neurotherapeutics
Neurotherapeutics, also known as Neupulse was formed as a spin out from the University of Nottingham in 2021. The company was based on research focused on how Neuro modulation can help elevate symptoms of brain health conditions such as Tourettes Syndrome.
To bring life changing relief from tics and the urge to tic for individuals with Tourettes Syndrome using a wearable medical device.
- Completed a successful medical trial
- Developing a commercially available medical device which will be available in 2026
- Funding for clinical trial devices
- Resources to train participants and analyse the data provided
“Medilink have been a very important partner for us helping us fund the clinical trial devices and resources used on the clinical trial to train participants and analyse the data. The funding ensured the trial ran smoothly and on schedule.”
Paul Cable, CEO, Neurotherapeutics Ltd
Spirit Health
Spirit Healthcare works with the NHS and other global partners to make healthcare simple and accessible for all.
Collaborate further with the NHS, after the successful clinical trial and adoption of Clinitouch Vie COPD diagnostic approach in Leicestershire.
- Spirit has taken over the management of 4 local GP practices and delivers other services in over 50 CCGs across the UK
- Staff headcount increased from 20 to over 130 in 3 years and the company continues to grow.
- Grant for market research, to determine opportunity and niche
- Connected with the LLEP Business Gateway, who assisted them in relocating to a new HQ
- Generated new collaborations through Special Interest Group
- Facilitated introduction to the AHSN
“At Spirit, we realised that Innovation doesn’t come from simply selling products and services off the shelf and that if we were going to make a real difference, first we had to understand the problem. That’s why we approached SoLSTICE advisers and the support and advice they provided, has been an invaluable aid to us and helped us to see how we could more effectively assist clinicians in treating conditions such as COPD.
Without SoLSTICE support, we wouldn’t have been able to supply NHS services in Leicester and Leicestershire and help to deliver the best possible outcome for clinicians and patients.”
Chris Barker, CEO, Spirit Healthcare
SurePulse
SurePulse was born out of a collaboration between the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and the Department of Academic Child Health at the University of Nottingham, after researchers realised that vital sign technology being developed within the University could be applied to monitor newborn babies who need help at birth.
- SurePulse VS wireless heart monitor launched in EU
- FDA approval
- £1M additional private sector investment secured
- Innovation grant
- Networking grant
- Advice on de-risking regulatory testing
- Facilitated new connections & contacts
- Helped secure key new hire
- Upskilled team through training: Clinical Trials, USA Regulatory Framework, IP, Hospital Procurement
“We saw the need for wider collaboration and links within the local and national medical device industry, and the opportunity that Medilink provides for support, partnerships, funding and guidance.
Medilink met with us initially to understand the full scope of the business, and where Medilink could offer support. So it wasn’t just a case of us identifying a need and looking to Medilink for a specific solution. They provided a holistic view of how Medilink could support across various aspects of the business.”
Dr James Carpenter, CEO, SurePulse Medical
TCC Casemix
TCC-CASEMIX Limited was conceived to address the substantial inefficiency of surgical services delivery in England.
Develop a novel hardware and aligned software device that will enable theatre nurses to interact hands-free with a survey tool to record ‘real-time’ surgical procedure data.
- TCC Casemix has worked with The Northern Care Alliance (NCA) and with Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, looking at issues with surgical listing.
- The company has also gone on to apply for and win an Innovate UK Smart Grant and SBRI funding
- Dedicated one to one support,
- An Innovation Support Grant
- New connections and contacts.
- Making the company aware of relevant funding opportunities, including the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network’s Evaluation Fund
“Medilink Midlands’ support has enabled us to sustain our business. Receiving ACTIS support was foundational for that and enabled us to develop the technology. The innovations have opened up substantial opportunities and we have also been able to employ staff and operate from new offices. The technology we have invested in enables us to ‘punch far above our weight’.
Matthew Bacon, Chief Executive, Conclude Consultancy.
VUIT
VUIT is unleashing the power of available health and social care data in England to those who most need to understand the drivers of population health across boundaries and providers.
VUIT believes that by being able to understand population need and clinical activity more clearly life science companies will be able to build more compelling business cases for the NHS.
- VUIT is now a commercial partner with the Black Country ICS delivering population health and data visualisation support
- In final stage contract negotiations with several Medical Device and Pharmaceutical companies
- Launched at the Medilink Midlands Innovation Day event
- Networking support
- Funding opportunities
“Initially VUIT engaged with Medilink to use the Innovation Day event as a soft launch. Since then they have supported us with numerous networking events, support with funding applications and ad hoc support and guidance. In time we hope to become affiliate members of Medilink Midlands and develop a set of core discounted offers for members”
Adam Townsend, Founder, VUIT
Case Study Videos
Please see below for several other examples of businesses which have been supported through Medilink’s business support programmes.
Alert-iT
Neater Solutions
Uvamed
Wellness Lab
View All Case Studies Below
| Year | Month | Company | Subject | Category | Sector | Link |
| 2023 | June | ChangeXtra | Development of Pausetrack App | INSTILS | MedTech | Click Here |
| 2023 | June | Heal.Med | Diabetes Education for Children | SoLSTICE | Medtech | Click Here |
| 2023 | June | TCC Casemix | Clinical Monitoring in the NHS | ACTIS | Medtech | Click Here |
| 2023 | May | Brainberry | COSMA App Clinical Trial | SoLSTICE | Medtech | Click Here |
| 2023 | May | i3 Simulations | Resuscitation VR Training | ACTIS | Medtech | Click Here |
| 2023 | May | Persomic | A personalised nutrition web platform for diagnosis and treatment | INSTILS | Medtech | Click Here |
| 2023 | May | SOE Health | SOE Health Clinical Trial | INSTILS | Medtech | Click Here |
| 2022 | November | Imed Consultancy | Exhibiting at MTI and Innovation Day | MM | Medtech | Click Here |
| 2022 | November | Interactive Software | Aston Business School programme awareness and successful completion | MM | Medtech | |
| 2022 | August | Surescreen Diagnostics | Development of the Alcostick | INSTILS | Medtech | |
| 2022 | August | TCC Casemix | Hospital Monitoring Software | ACTIS | Medtech | |
| 2022 | July | Black Space Technology | Access to Network/New Product Development | WMAHSN | Medtech | |
| 2022 | July | Dignio | Expanding into the UK from Norway | WMAHSN | Medtech | |
| 2022 | July | Heartflow | ITP Funding | WMAHSN | Medtech | |
| 2022 | July | Powerbreathe | International Patent Linkups and continued export growth | WMAHSN | Medtech | |
| 2021 | April | Calla | Body Cameras in Mental Health Setting | ACTIS | Medtech | |
| 2020 | November | Pharmaseal March 2020 | Updated to show new capabilities etc | INSTILS | MedTech | |
| 2020 | September | Veintrain | Development of Training Materials for Cannulation | INSTILS | MedTech | |
| 2020 | February | MIP Diagnostics | Development of Label-Free Sensors | ACTIS | MedTech | |
| 2020 | January | OCB Media | National NHS Rollout of OCB Training Modules | SoLSTICE | MedTech | |
| 2020 | January | Uvamed | Development of Rainbow Trays | SoLSTICE | MedTech | |
| 2019 | August | NuVision Biotherapies | Development of Omnigen (clinical trial to determine effectiveness in treating foot ulcers) | INSTILS | MedTech | |
| 2019 | April | Spirit Digital | Development of Clinitouch Vie and Acquisition of NHS Service Provision | SoLSTICE | MedTech | |
| 2019 | January | Alert-IT | Advance Communication Hub for Alert-iT Care Alarms | SoLSTICE | MedTech | Click Here |
| 2019 | January | Canonbury Medical | Development of Canonbury Medical database and website, in the interests of universal, worldwide accessibility | ACTIS | Healthcare | |
| 2018 | December | Capatex | Development of a new range of disposable incontinence products | INSTILS | MedTech | |
| 2018 | December | TigTag | Development of TigTag wearable tech to detect trips and falls in the elderly, vulnerable and other high risk groups | LARIS | MedTech | |
| 2018 | November | Protex Hygiene | Creation of the airwizard clearing system, for fogging machines | INSTILS | MedTech | |
| 2018 | October | Locate Bio | Developing a Cell Modification Process for Personalised Cell Therapies. | INSTILS | Pharma & BioTech | |
| 2018 | October | N4 Pharma | Repurposing of Vaccines and Cancer Drugs | INSTILS | Pharma & BioTech | |
| 2018 | October | Neater Solutions Ltd | Development of Neater Eater Technology | INSTILS | MedTech | |
| 2018 | October | Nottingham Counselling Services | Digital Transformation Project (Update October 2018) | INSTILS | MedTech | |
| 2018 | October | SurePulse Medical Ltd | Heart Rate Monitoring for Newborn Resuscitation [October 2018 Update] | INSTILS | Med Tech | |
| 2018 | October | Wellness Lab | Development of Probiotic Teas | INSTILS | Healthcare | |
| 2018 | March | Pluswipes | Ringo Lid – Novel Soft Packet Hospital Sanitising Wipes Dispenser | ACTIS | Healthcare | |
| 2018 | January | Inception Associates | Linking data from wearable Atrial Fibrilation (AF) monitors to patients’ healthcare records | INSTILS | MedTech | |
| 2018 | January | PharmaSEAL International Ltd | B2B Trial Management Platform | INSTILS | MedTech | |
| 2018 | January | XCAM | Development of Novel RIXS Camera Systems | ACTIS | MedTech | |
| 2017 | December | Health Data & Analytics | Creating a data analytics dashboard for the wound care market | SoLSTICE | MedTech | Click Here |
| 2017 | December | OptimaLife | Optima Health and Wellbeing Data Metrics Interactive App | ACTIS | MedTech | |
| 2017 | December | Total Health & Wellbeing | Improving service accessibility | INSTILS | MedTech | |
| 2017 | December | Tower Health & Pharmacy | Development of an electronic portal for repeat prescriptions | INSTILS | MedTech | |
| 2017 | November | Adaptix | Specialist Networking Grant for attending events | ACTIS | Healthcare | |
| 2017 | November | Sanandco Ltd | To undertake CE marking of the Monitorme medical device | INSTILS | MedTech | |
| 2017 | November | Snowden Healthcare | Development and testing of joint and prostate health drinks | INSTILS | Healthcare | |
| 2017 | October | Ariane Medical Systems | Re-designing Papillon+ | INSTILS | Healthcare | Click Here |
| 2017 | October | Gordon Ellis | Customisable assisted living products | SoLSTICE | Healthcare | Click Here |
| 2017 | October | Nottingham Counselling Services | Digital Transformation Project | INSTILS | MedTech | |
| 2017 | October | Reveal Media | Body worn cameras in an Inpatient Mental Health Setting | ACTIS | Healthcare | |
| 2017 | September | iTs Design | Advanced Communication Hub for Alert-iT care alarms | SoLSTICE | Med Tech | Click Here |
| 2017 | September | Marsden Fire Safety | User Support for Novel fire simulation tray for hospital and care home fire officers | ACTIS | Med Tech | Click Here |
| 2017 | September | SurePulse Medical Ltd | Heart Rate Monitoring for Newborn Resuscitation | INSTILS | Med Tech | |
| 2017 | August | All Natural Cosmetics Ltd | Body care products tailored for people to use during the chemtherapy treatment and radiation treatment | INSTILS | Med Tech | |
| 2017 | August | Medpage T/A EasyLink UK Ltd | MemRabel dementia care aids | ACTIS | Med Tech | |
| 2017 | August | Personal Care Packs Ltd | Patient care pack clinical trial | SoLSTICE | Service Provider | Click Here |
| 2017 | July | Prescriptive Solutions | Pilot study of an innovative health information medium | SoLSTICE | Service Provider | Click Here |
| 2017 | July | Upperton Ltd | Business Expansion Feasibility Study | INSTILS | Pharma & BioTech | Click Here |