04.10.13
Small businesses charged to improve kidney treatment
A £3.6m competition has been launched to develop technology to improve kidney care. The Department of Health is funding the project through the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) with the money expected to be shared among 8 to 12 small businesses.
There are currently 41,000 patients receiving treatment for kidney failure and around 5,000 people are diagnosed each year.
The competition is being managed in partnership with Devices for Dignity Health Technology Cooperative (D4D), hosted by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS FT. Businesses can apply here before November 25, and winners will be announced in January 2014.
Health minister Norman Lamb said: “Innovation can play a vital role in helping to address healthcare challenges. This £3.6m competition will help small businesses come up with creative solutions that make a real difference to kidney patients’ lives.
“These competitions represent vital investment in health research, which is good news for patients, for the research sector and for the economy, creating jobs and growth so the UK can compete in the global race.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]