Photo Credit: Heather Magner, Northern Exposure

By KLTV Newsdesk –

State-of-the-art facility set to drive health innovation, business growth and collaboration across West Yorkshire

A new centre designed to help health, life sciences and wellbeing businesses innovate and grow has officially opened at the University of Huddersfield’s National Health Innovation Campus (NHIC).

The Health Business Innovation Centre (HBIC) was formally opened by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin during a launch event that brought together key partners, stakeholders and organisations from across the region.

Located on the top floor of the Emily Siddon building and managed by the award-winning team behind the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre (3M BIC), the new facility will provide businesses with access to specialist expertise, collaborative workspaces and cutting-edge facilities to help develop, test and scale products and services aimed at improving health outcomes.

Supporting the next generation of health innovators

The HBIC has been created to support emerging organisations working across health, life sciences and wellbeing, offering flexible office and laboratory space, meeting and event facilities, and opportunities to work alongside leading academics, clinicians and fellow innovators.

A dedicated Health and Wellbeing Innovation Maker Space further enhances the centre’s offer, providing access to advanced technologies including 3D printing, rapid prototyping facilities and immersive technology to support product and service development.

The centre has been delivered by the University of Huddersfield with part funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Driving innovation across the region

The Health Business Innovation Centre also plays a central role in the Huddersfield Health Innovation Incubator, a regional programme supporting pre-start-up, early-stage and growing businesses developing innovative healthcare solutions. The incubator is funded through the West Yorkshire Investment Zone.

The wider National Health Innovation Campus is a long-term initiative focused on improving health and wellbeing through education, research and collaboration. It brings together healthcare professionals, researchers and industry partners to tackle major health challenges while accelerating innovation in healthcare, technology and service delivery.

The Emily Siddon building is also home to the UK’s first NHS Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) based on a university campus, alongside teaching and research facilities for radiography, dentistry, diagnostics and other health disciplines.

Earlier this year, Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber announced it had become the HBIC’s anchor tenant, reinforcing confidence in both the new centre and the wider ambitions of the National Health Innovation Campus.

Mayor praises investment in health technology

Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin said: “Getting access to the right space and equipment is vital for Healthtech businesses to thrive. The National Health Innovation Campus gives innovators the tools they need to test their ideas and rapidly build life-saving and life-changing technologies.

“Our Investment Zone makes us a magnet for the next generation of Healthtech businesses and is further proof that devolution equips regions to compete on the world stage, keeping West Yorkshire at the heart of the NHS and at the forefront of tomorrow’s health innovations.”

A hub for collaboration and real-world innovation

Professor Tim Thornton, Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Huddersfield, said: “The Health Business Innovation Centre marks an important investment in Huddersfield’s innovation landscape, strengthening the University’s role in research, innovation and supporting local and regional business growth.

“By co-locating businesses alongside academics, clinical partners, specialist facilities and expertise on the wider campus, it provides a unique environment for collaboration and real-world application. We are already seeing strong interest in the Centre and look forward to attracting organisations committed to delivering meaningful impact in the sector.”

Richard Stubbs, CEO of Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, added: “It is a perfect fit for us to be part of the National Health Innovation Campus, where we can work closely with researchers, innovators, the NHS and industry to develop cutting-edge new technologies and other solutions.

“The population of Yorkshire and the Humber experiences some of the biggest health challenges in the country, with the third lowest life expectancy for both men and women.

“Aligning so many brilliant assets and people in one place gives us a fantastic opportunity to be a leader in developing innovations which transform and extend lives, for our own communities and worldwide.

]“This is a great venue for our successful Propel Healthtech programme and businesses who see the benefits of being co-located with leaders in innovation, may choose to move in and grow here.”

Boost for Huddersfield’s regeneration ambitions

The opening of the HBIC is also expected to support Huddersfield’s wider regeneration programme by helping attract innovative businesses to the town.

David Shepherd, Executive Director for Place at Kirklees Council, said: “Across Huddersfield, major investment in infrastructure, culture, and an ambitious rollout of town centre regeneration schemes are underway, all creating an inclusive, dynamic economy, with the HBIC, NHIC and upcoming Ignition Works, playing a vital role.

“The Huddersfield Health Innovation Incubator (HHIC), which we are delivering in partnership with the University of Huddersfield and the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre, will create a pipeline of innovative start-ups and growing businesses.

“This will help drive demand for the Health Business Innovation Centre (HBIC), strengthening occupancy and supporting the long-term success of Ignition Works and Huddersfield’s wider Station to Stadium Enterprise Corridor and Investment Zone.”

The Health Business Innovation Centre is expected to become a focal point for collaboration between businesses, researchers, clinicians and entrepreneurs, helping to accelerate the development of new technologies and services that improve healthcare while supporting economic growth across West Yorkshire.