The Minister for Local Growth at the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has congratulated MediCity for its work in attracting a total of 20 new businesses in just four months to the UK’s rapidly-expanding health, beauty and wellness innovation hub based in Nottingham. Nine companies have recently signed tenancy agreements to locate their activities in the refurbished building on the Boots site in Beeston, which lies in the Nottingham Enterprise Zone.
 
Kris Hopkins, Local Growth Minister responsible for Enterprise Zones said: “This is great news for MediCity and the UK’s healthcare sector and shows the potential Enterprise Zones have to bring complementary companies together in an environment where they work closely with each other and thrive.  Enterprise Zones are showing that our long term economic plan to secure a better future by spreading businesses, jobs and skills training across the country is working.”
 
The latest companies to base themselves at MediCity are involved in a range of commercial activities including veterinary and medical device development, water purification, online access to counselling services, licensing and IP of medical devices, innovation business consulting, patent and IP advice, materials processing for medical applications, specialist life sciences advice and funding, and the regeneration of human tissue.
 
Those companies engaging in technology innovation are:
 
 

• Biovici provides point-of-care devices for the healthcare, medical, veterinary equine markets. These non-invasive devices provide real time information to health professionals as well as individuals.

 
 

• Air Quality Research Ltd develops chemical-free water and air purification systems for both commercial and domestic markets. Using a novel ionisation process, these systems can be powered using wind or solar energy, making them ideal for primary water treatment in emergency or globally remote environments. AQR offers scalability, from domestic needs to urban and industrial situations, using the same core components. Business growth will come as the team works closely with MediCity and chemists at Nottingham Trent University.

 
 

• Support Network Online works in mental health to connect clients with counselling psychologists. Particular emphasis is placed on servicing individuals in areas that lack local counselling services or who face mobility challenges. The company has recently been accepted as a member of the National Counselling Society, the industry standards-setting authority.

 
 

• ViVO Smart Medical Devices Ltd works with medical professionals on the design and manufacture new products which will ultimately improve patient care and reduce the costs of healthcare. The company has been awarded a Small Business Research Initiative SBRI Healthcare development contract from NHS England to develop Pupiloscope™, an innovative handheld electronic device which helps doctors instantly diagnose life-threatening head injuries.  ViVO will eventually create its own brand of medical devices.

 
 

• ESP Technology Ltd has developed a performance-enhancing material for use initially in vascular access for patients receiving haemodialysis to prevent excessive bleeding. A graft coated with a microcellular version of the material closes up around the puncture site, effectively “self-sealing” the wound. The ESP team will be working closely with Nottingham Trent University and with MediCity to source funding and collaborators.

 
 

• Locate Therapeutics is expanding into MediCity as its regenerative medicines activity moves into a new commercial phase. The company specialises in regenerative medicine and device innovation, and is looking to apply its patented TAOS™ technology into a broad spectrum of clinical applications.

 
The MediCity community of business support companies is joined by the following firms:
 
 

• We Are Unstuck is a consultancy working with clients across a range of disciplines, supporting them to deliver innovation.  From Pop-up Problem Solving to Collaborative Leadership Coaching founder Sarah King plans to help MediCity companies and others in all stages of their product and service development.

 
 

• Adamson Jones IP Ltd, patent and trade mark attorneys, announced its move into MediCity in April 2014 and counts leading names like Boots UK, Sanofi, Advancis, Intersurgical and Vectura amongst its clients. The company has its HQ at BioCity Nottingham, in the heart of the city’s Creative Quarter, reflecting the team’s strength in the life sciences and medical technology, and its move to MediCity now gives it a presence within the Enterprise Zone.

 

• Pythia Consultancy Ltd is a consulting firm providing a range of scientific and commercial advisory services to biotechnology, healthcare and nutraceutical companies as well as to investors. Services include technology scouting, partner identification, mergers and acquisitions, due diligence, marketing and business strategy. The company is already working with several European and US clients.

 
David Browning, Director of MediCity, says: “Having a further nine ambitious companies as part of the MediCity business community is very exciting. Each brings a wealth of business experience as well as a fascinating insight into emerging healthcare technology. I know several firms have already found opportunities to collaborate and to share expertise, something MediCity actively promotes.”

Support for the early stage businesses based at MediCity is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

 
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Photo caption: Mark Chivers (left) with David Browning and six of the new tenants