Medilink SW Healthcare Innovation Networking & Awards Evening 2020

Thursday 6th February 2020 - RWA, Bristol

INSPIRING TALKS

We heard an inspiring and positive Keynote Speech from Hassan Chaudhury.

‘The size, space and aura of the event lent itself to fantastic conversations and an enjoyable evening.’

‘…it was fantastic to meet so many other teams and SMEs in similar places to our own.’

Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s event, we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Congratulations to all of this year's winners and runner's up. We were blown away by the standard of applications this year. The SW Health Tech community is thriving, and we look forward to continuing to host dynamic and engaging keynote speakers at future networking evenings.

‘Professional though relaxed and informal approach to networking with the keynote and awards being the draw. Super range of like-minds ever keen to promote the South West's talents. Would recommend all to attend subsequent sessions. ‘

Outstanding Achievement Award Winner

Somnus are developing innovative solutions for monitoring intravenous anaesthesia. Using total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) as an alternative to traditional inhalational (gaseous) anaesthesia is better for patients, better for hospitals and better for the environment. This outstanding achievement award is presented in recognition of the fact that the company, only a few months old, was able to attract a significant investment to help develop their product which will have a global market.

Start-Up Award Winner

Neuronostics are providing novel diagnostic and prognostic decision-support tools for neurologists. Their first commercially available clinical indication is a novel and potentially revolutionary seizure susceptibility technology called BioEP. Using advanced mathematical models and powerful artificial intelligence techniques, BioEP enables fast and accurate diagnosis and prognosis of epilepsy based on short segments of routinely collected EEG. We were impressed by the sophistication of this company’s innovation and anticipate their ongoing success as they continue to develop and grow.

Digital Health Award Winner

Speechtools create world leading speech therapy apps enabling people access to speech therapy tools wherever they are. Their portfolio of 5 apps are used by speech and language therapists and patients in over 177 countries. Voice Analyst is their keystone app which records and gives statistical and visual feedback regarding someone’s voice that can be shared with all those involved in their care. We were impressed with the strong software foundation of this app, combined with the clinical expertise of the company founder and its elegantly designed interface.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners, runner’s-up and nominees. The standard was very high this year and we commend each and every organisation for their brilliant work.

Innovation Award Winner

This year’s Innovation Award goes to an early stage company; Vitamica raised £500k in grant and equity investment, to support the development of a novel imaging technology for studying bacteria. Bridging the diverse worlds of microbiology and nanoscale optical physics lies at the core of Vitamica’s innovation, as they measure the effect of antibiotics on individual bacterial cells to produce a tool to help address the global threat of antibiotic resistance.

Partnership with the NHS Award Winner

HCI create and implement simple and accessible patient information videos for paediatric day cases and knee rehabilitation. Their database rapidly increased to become a library of over 1000 general and pathway specific information videos accessed through websites, learning platforms and mobile apps. The realisation of the enormous potential of this resource, resulted in a partnership with the NHS. The technology has been adopted by around 18 trusts around the country and promises to save the NHS millions of pounds.

Special Mention

Special mention goes to these two early-stage companies who impressed the judging panel with their innovations.

Airway Medical provides novel medical devices and disruptive technologies to global markets. Their current project ‘Breathe’ is an intuitive, compact, high flow Airway Suction Device. It resembles a sports bottle and provides reliable airway suction for a wide variety of medical and Industrial applications. We anticipate Airway Medical’s continued development and growth with this innovative design.

The Wib As a not-forprofit social enterprise, The Wib’s innovative wellbeing Indicator Badge shows vast potential. The-wib is a simple yet profoundly impactful self-care learning device. Early case studies with patients living with complex fluctuating conditions and focus groups with show significant engagement success and demand potential for this personal and collective wellbeing service. We look forward to The Wib’s continued journey, of taking this valuable design to potential users.