Medical technology
faces challenges in translating research into commercial products and later moving to NHS adoption. Adoption was highlighted as a challenge – demand signals and access to clinicians was requested to support SMEs. SMEs called for better coordination across ecosystem stakeholders, such as Innovate UK, Catapults, the NHS, universities, Trade Associations and regional actors to create a more cohesive support structure. Sustainability and circularity: While many
SMEs recognise the importance of sustainability, only a minority have a formal sustainability strategy in place. SMEs identified the need for greater standardisation, external expert support, and accessible carbon reporting tools to help them meet their sustainability goals. High initial investment costs, lack of demand, and insufficient infrastructure were identified as major barriers to delivering circular MedTech solutions. Digital and Secure Data Envionments (SDEs):
SMEs developing digital health products in the UK face complex regulatory requirements, limited funding, and fragmented NHS engagement. Navigating multiple compliance standards and inconsistent NHS IT systems adds cost and complexity. Clearer guidance, streamlined regulation, better data access, and targeted funding are essential to support innovation and adoption. SMEs see SDEs as crucial infrastructure for MedTech and AI innovation, but few have accessed them successfully. The current model
is seen as valuable in theory but too slow, fragmented, and expensive in practice. Making SDEs more transparent, responsive, and SME- friendly could significantly enhance real-world validation and accelerate product development. The report provides a number of key
recommendations: Continue to provide support to SMEs through
MARRS like programmes: There is a high demand for rapid, high quantity, lower value grant funding that SMEs can use to support them to solve a wide variety of regulatory
problems. The most current MARRS funding call was oversubscribed. SMEs do not have much in the way of in-house regulatory expertise and rely on external consultants, supporting them over a regulatory barrier is being proven to significantly accelerate product development and launch. Provide more funding to the UK regulator
(MHRA): Support from regulators is key, as they have the expertise SMEs need to accelerate product development. A freemium model could be one way to provide some extra funding i.e. where basic services are free and more in-depth support is chargeable. A further approach could be an “arms-length” consultancy alongside a delivery partner such as a Catapult, which could enable more SMEs to gain more guidance and support than is allowed under the MHRA’s current remit. Enable more funding to SMEs though the
Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS). Increase the R&D tax relief available for SMEs conducting and scaling up clinical trials in the UK to ~33%. Increase government co-investment for
MedTech companies, specifically targeted at existing gaps. Innovation: Facilitate a more joined up
innovation support ecosystem leveraging NHS, University, Government and Catapult support. With focus on end-to-end (including translational) support. Build the UK MedTech innovation council:
Establish a council with representatives from UK funding bodies, universities, Catapults, the NHS, and trade associations to map out and coordinate innovation support. Link this group to an SME-led working group to continue enabling
22
www.clinicalservicesjournal.com I January 2026
Toowongsa -
stock.adobe.com
Gorodenkoff -
stock.adobe.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
