Diagnostics and early intervention for healthy ageing
Meet the growing demand for digital and molecular diagnostics innovations, and smart, assistive technologies, to support early intervention in ageing diseases.
In Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Warrington, there’s a significant opportunity to design, test and commercialise products and technologies to help the ageing population.
With healthy ageing a key focus for the UK government, investors can capitalise on strengths in this region of north west England.
They can connect with customers, collaborators, supply chains and innovation partners within a digital health industry that has seen its turnover grow by over 48% since 2011.
Location:
Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Warrington
Investment type:
Foreign direct investment
Sector:
Healthcare and life sciences
Take advantage of this opportunity to expand your business in the UK
Find out howSector and market opportunity
Collectively, Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Warrington is home to a large ageing population with a range of chronic diseases and conditions.
This is a world-leading location for digital and molecular diagnostics. Alderley Park and Manchester Science Park are prime sites for developing and commercialising innovative digital assistive technologies.
There are opportunities to design and develop smart technology solutions in Manchester’s digital and technology clusters, incubators and co-working spaces, such as Citylabs, HOST Salford and Manchester Technology Centre.
Meanwhile, there are also opportunities to innovate and collaborate in molecular and digital diagnostic solutions, therapeutics and early intervention, plus smart and assistive technologies.
Growth prospects
It’s estimated that there’ll be 17.7 million people aged 65 and over in the UK by 2050. Companies can exploit a digital health industry that has a turnover of £1.9 billion, and which saw growth of 48% from 2011 to 2020.
Location
Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Warrington sit in the heart of the northern powerhouse region, forming part of the life science corridor that spans from Manchester to Liverpool.
The region has access to a wide range of skills, talent and capabilities, all of which can support diagnosis and early intervention.
Manchester is the UK’s Top Digital Tech City and is home to a fast-growing £5 billion digital ecosystem comprising over 10,000 digital and tech businesses.
Companies can collaborate and partner with universities that boast strengths in academic and clinical research as well as computer science and engineering.
Connectivity
Manchester has the best international connectivity in the UK outside of London, with national and international flights from Manchester Airport.
The region is also near to Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Liverpool Port – one of the largest, busiest and most diverse ports in the UK.
Local talent and skills
Due to its central geographical location at the heart of the northern labour market, the region has access to one of the largest, highly skilled and well-trained commuter workforces in Europe. This includes 27,500 employees with skills in data and analytics and over 54,000 science and tech professionals.
The region is also home to over 15,000 graduates and 46,000 students with degrees in key related subjects from local universities that offer diagnostics and early intervention specific courses and world-class research centres.
Region Spotlight
North of England
The North of England is recognised as a global centre for creativity and design and attracts thriving international investment. This heritage of expertise and manufacturing know-how is well established on the world stage, and historically gave birth to the Industrial Revolution.
Research and expertise
Investors can capitalise on world-class diagnostics and early intervention research.
This enables collaborative work with research centres such as:
- the Christabel Pankhurst Institute for Health Technology Research and Innovation
- the Manchester Institute for Collaborative Research on Ageing (MICRA)
- the Manchester Molecular Pathology Innovation Centre (MMPathIC).
Investors will also benefit from the region’s clinical trial capabilities, with access to the likes of the Christie NHS Foundation Trust and the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN).
Local and national government support
The UK is investing in healthy ageing, meaning your company can capitalise on the vital investment pouring into the sector. The Life Sciences Vision aims to tackle the various challenges that come with ageing, such as dementia.
Locally, community networks, incubator space and specialist advice are available. Investors can access key benefits by being located at Alderley Park in Cheshire or within the Oxford Road Corridor, a recognised centre for science, R&D, and the commercialisation of ideas and innovation.
Success stories
APIS Assay Technologies
APIS Assay Technologies Ltd combines In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) experience with integrated AI to develop biomarker-based diagnostic assays. The company’s business model is based on 3 pillars: biomarker diagnostics development, molecular diagnostic contract development and applied bioinformatics.
The company is located at CityLabs 1.0, the heart of Manchester’s life sciences ecosystem and part of the wider Genomic Health Innovation Campus situated in the UK’s largest clinical campus.
Kinomica
Situated within Alderley Park, Kinomica’s disruptive, cell-signalling profiling-technology, KScan®, is supporting global pharmaceutical customers with drug-response predictions that surpass the current state of the art.
The Alderley Park team helped Kinomica raise series A money by providing practical pitch-deck training and showcasing events, plus making introductions to highly respected life sciences investment houses.
Hologic
Hologic is an innovation driven medical technology company and a global champion of women’s health, providing diagnostic, detection and surgical solutions to an increasingly complex and demanding global healthcare environment.
Alongside sites across the world, Hologic’s International (ex-US) headquarters are based within Manchester. This enables Hologic to collaborate with UK universities and the NHS (National Health Service) for efficient research and development and post-market partnerships.
