Innovation
Gillespie said the research conducted by Canon Medical Research Europe in Edinburgh “has the potential to be transformative for the NHS in Scotland” and for health services in other countries too. Mr Gray spoke of Scotland’s “strong
international reputation for pioneering health technologies that improve outcomes and enhance care”. He insisted: “This trade mission is an opportunity to demonstrate our strengths to new audiences, deepen our relationships with Japanese innovators and investors, and share how Scotland’s integrated approach to healthcare and innovation is delivering real-world benefits. “By supporting Scotland’s healthcare
innovation sector, we can help to encourage the kind of technologies that will ultimately benefit patients in Scotland. “Strengthening international partnerships like this supports economic growth, attracts inward investment and jobs, and ultimately helps us tackle some of the biggest challenges facing health systems at home and across the world.” Among companies making the high-level
trip were Stirling-based iGii which creates next-gen biosensors and employs advanced materials; Glasgow University spinout Nami Surgical, a specialist in developing miniaturised ultrasonic surgical scalpels for applications in robotic surgery; and Stirling-based social enterprise Talking Mats which improves the lives of people with communication difficulties thanks to innovative, award-winning tools designed by Speech and Language Therapists. Strengthening the trade mission was
representation from Scotland’s innovation hubs – Samantha Smith-Garrett, of Health Innovation South East Scotland (HISES), Hazel Dempsey of NHS North of Scotland Innovation Hub, and Katriona Brooksbank of West of Scotland Innovation Hub – together, demonstrating how government, academia, and industry work in close collaboration.
They discussed how industry partners can
leverage access to the NHS through their test bed model to support evidence-based collaborations, translating research into innovative products and services which can directly benefit patients and improve the NHS. Digital Health Validation Lab (DHVL) Lead,
Professor David Lowe also joined the select group of experts to showcase Scotland as a global hub for HealthTech innovation. In Osaka, Professor Lowe spoke about
Scotland’s translational innovation capability to tap into a place where NHS access, academic excellence, and agile industry partnerships intersect. At the Osaka World Expo HealthTech Scottish
Showcase, he highlighted evidence generation for adoption and shared real-world examples of triple helix collaboration with international partners. Professor Lowe also delivered a joint
presentation with Ken Sutherland to senior leadership at Canon Medical Systems Corporation, where they highlighted ongoing collaborative work in developing foundational AI models for CT head interpretation and radiogenomics – a key part of the Living Laboratory programme which is dedicated to strengthening Glasgow’s position as a global leader in healthcare innovation. In Tokyo, Professor Lowe joined the UK–Japan ‘Bridging Innovation’ panel at the British Embassy, where he outlined the strategic importance of the DHVL and Scotland’s evidence-driven model for
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global MedTech adoption. There is no doubt that if the entrepreneurial
ecosystem in Scotland can be supported better, including fostering a culture where investing in the healthcare innovation sector at all stages of technology readiness becomes the norm, then we will encourage the kind of innovations that will ultimately benefit patients in Scotland. Fundamentally, we must invest in the
innovation lifecycle from end to end – including skills development, research and development, business growth and support, not to mention stringent evaluation. Managing Director of International Operations
at Scottish Enterprise, Reuben Aitken echoed those sentiments, stating that Scotland’s life sciences and HealthTech impact generates over £10 billion annually for our economy with international gatherings providing “opportunities for trade, export, and collaboration across these key industries”. He added: “The companies heading to Japan
are at the forefront of their fields in medical devices, AI, and robotics. They are exhibiting their products and connecting with new markets in Japan. Our analysis from our previous Expo 2025 trade mission has forecast sales worth over £7 million and here at Scottish Enterprise we’re continuing to back ambitious companies to internationalise.” As the trade mission demonstrated,
Scotland’s innovation ecosystem is attractive to investors, thanks in part to its focus on supporting high-growth spinouts and startups,
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