MedTech

Medical technologies touch all of our lives – from pregnancy testing and ultrasound scans before birth; through wound care products for childhood injuries; to diagnostic imaging systems and therapeutic implants for disease in adults.

The range of products and services is vast, spanning medical devices and in-vitro diagnostics, and overlaps with medicines (through drug delivery systems) and with digital health (through software as a medical device).

The sector is therefore highly diverse, dominated in the UK by resource-constrained SMEs, and the individual segments can to some extent, be viewed as separate industries. But they’re bound together by some common elements – a shared regulatory framework; an increasing convergence of technologies (particularly in connected devices); and a drive to deliver innovation. They also face some common challenges – these include a complex innovation and funding landscape; regulatory change; and a need to improve sustainability.

Innovate UK Business Connect can help innovators to navigate the complex landscape and accelerate ambitious ideas into new products and services. Our team of trusted experts, from within the Health team and across the wider range of disciplines in which we have deep expertise, can help create diverse connections to drive positive change.

Matt Chapman

Our Expert

Matt Chapman

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Related opportunities

NHS Cancer Programme - Innovation Open Call 4

Opens: 01/09/2026

Closes: 01/12/2026

Applications are invited for innovations that focus on productivity and supporting the NHS to meet Cancer Waiting Times, as well as innovations that support the earlier detection and diagnosis of cancer.
More information

Advancing innovation in accelerated cancer diagnosis

Opens: 01/09/2026

Closes: 28/10/2026

Up to £25.4 million funding available to support the clinical validation and evaluation of early cancer diagnostic technologies and devices.
More information

National Materials Innovation Programme: CR&D Rd1

Opens: 01/09/2026

Closes: 28/10/2026

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £12m for collaborative industrial research in materials for health, structures, electronics, or metamaterials.
More information

Contracts for Innovation Cymru: Ending abandonment after stroke - better recovery beyond hospital

Opens: 22/09/2026

Closes: 20/10/2026

We are seeking innovative solutions that can improve rehabilitation, recovery and long-term support for stroke survivors in Wales.
More information

Contracts for Innovation Cymru: Reducing Missed Appointments and Improving Access to Planned Care

Opens: 22/09/2026

Closes: 20/10/2026

The challenge focuses on understanding and addressing the barriers that lead to non-attendance, supporting fairer access to services, improving patient experience and making better use of NHS resources. 
More information

Contracts for Innovation Cymru: Modernising the Bowel Screening Pathway in Wales

Opens: 22/09/2026

Closes: 20/10/2026

Bowel Screening Wales is seeking innovative approaches that can support service modernisation, improve participant experience, improve the timeliness of pre-colonoscopy assessments, and strengthen the ability of NHS Wales to meet future demand.
More information

Related events and recordings

Thu
11
Dec
2025

Opportunities in the 2026 European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder Scheme

2:00pm to 3:00pm | Online

Watch now
Fri
24
Jan
2025

Shaping the future of medical products: Data-driven innovation and regulatory perspectives from the MHRA

11:00am to 12:00pm | Online

Watch now
See all events

Related news

£3.2m funding awarded to advance early-stage healthcare innovation

24 July 2024

£3.2m funding awarded to advance early-stage healthcare innovation

Thirty-three companies, which took part in Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst pilot accelerators, have been awarded funding to further develop their innovative projects.

Read more
Project to detect hidden signs of osteoporosis gets Innovate UK funding

16 May 2024

Project to detect hidden signs of osteoporosis gets Innovate UK funding

Naitive Technologies has secured funding from Innovate UK’s Advancing Precision Medicine programme to develop its technology which aims to find patients at risk of osteoporosis during routine, otherwise unrelated, hip or pelvis X-rays. 

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Related programmes

Biomedical Catalyst

Biomedical Catalyst

Accelerating the translation of innovative ideas and discoveries into healthcare solutions that improve lives. The Biomedical Catalyst transforms innovative ideas into commercially viable businesses. It delivers sector growth, de-risks innovation and gets companies investment ready.

Medimap: End-to-end medicines supply chain map

Medimap: End-to-end medicines supply chain map

Medimap is a new interactive reference tool for the UK medicines sector, mapping and categorising over 3,000 sites of organisations engaged in or supporting the end-to-end supply chain for medicines.

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