Med tech firm makes no bones about Innovate UK support benefits
Drill Surgeries, a pioneering med-tech company based in Liverpool, is transforming global orthopaedic surgery through its innovative technology for treating broken bones. With the support of Innovate UK, Drill Surgeries has rapidly expanded its reach and impact, highlighting the role innovation-led companies can play in revolutionising healthcare. This partnership has been instrumental in accelerating the company’s growth, securing vital investments, driving internationalisation and positioning it for successful commercialisation.
Drill Surgeries began its journey with Innovate UK in 2021 with a comprehensive needs assessment from Innovate UK Business Growth, which identified the company’s growth potential and strategic objectives. Through bespoke innovation and growth support subsequently, Innovate UK’s growth support service has empowered Drill Surgeries to advance its groundbreaking technology, preparing it for a global market launch.
This support has been tailored to meet the specific needs of the company, for example by identifying the suitability of Innovate UK Smart Grants as the right funding route, and helping with intellectual property (IP) management and market research.
Innovation and Growth Specialists, Phill Jones and Marcus Orton, developed a robust action plan that addressed the company’s growth barriers and strategic deliverables. “The people I have access to, thanks to Innovate UK, have been priceless,” says Moises Barbera, Founder of Drill Surgeries. “Phill, Marcus and others have offered a friendly hand when I needed it, provided different points of view and helped me navigate the non-stop hurdles of creating a startup more smoothly, feeling like I wasn’t alone.”
Pioneering medical technology with global reach
Drill Surgeries’ innovative technology reduces operating time by more than 75% and X-ray radiation exposure by more than 60%, significantly improving patient outcomes and treatment efficiency. Initially developed for femur fractures, the technology has now been adapted to treat broken arms and tibias, expanding its potential annual patient pool from four million to over 20 million.
The company’s rapid expansion has seen its technology adopted by numerous hospitals and doctors worldwide, even before its official market release. Currently, Drill Surgeries is collaborating with three international hospitals and ten surgeons, with many more expressing interest globally. This growth has led to the creation of two new full-time positions and three internships.
Strategic support and investment readiness
One of the critical elements of Innovate UK Business Growth’s support has been enhancing Drill Surgeries’ investment readiness. The company participated in Innovate UK Business Growth’s Invest-Ability Intensive Training and Invest-Ability Pitch Panel, for a thorough appraisal and honing of its approach in the context of ongoing support from its specialists. This training helped Drill Surgeries build a compelling investment proposition, gain experience pitching to real investors and refine its pitch with constructive feedback.
As a result, Drill Surgeries successfully secured over £200,000 from Angel investors in 2022, along with an Innovate UK Smart Grant of £500,000. This later facilitated an additional £150,000 investment in 2024 from the prestigious Berkeley SkyDeck accelerator at the University of California, providing vital resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities, making them a highly valuable partner.
Moises explains: “The Innovate UK Smart Grant opened the door to a new era for Drill Surgeries. We expanded the team and developed a prototype into a production-level product that is now treating patients in hospitals.
“We stopped being a small startup in Liverpool two years ago and have since earned global recognition with awards, publications, international investment and more.
“However, what is most important to us is the number of hospitals, doctors and patients that have already benefited from this technology and who endorse the benefits it brings to the operating room.”
Internationalisation
With the strategic support of Innovate UK Business Growth and Smart Grant funding, Drill Surgeries is poised for further international expansion. The company is in active discussions with several original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and is exploring partnerships with surgeons and hospitals in Germany, Italy, Spain, Croatia and the US to broaden the reach of its revolutionary technology.
The niche market for surgical guidance in trauma operations presents significant growth opportunities, and Drill Surgeries is strategically positioning itself for European expansion by establishing a secondary office in London and a subsidiary in Italy. “The support from Innovate UK has been instrumental in providing invaluable guidance and assistance,” Moises adds. “They’ve provided us with much-needed innovation expertise, offered different perspectives and helped navigate the challenges we’ve faced as a burgeoning company, making the journey less daunting.”
Impact and future vision
Drill Surgeries’ international success enhances the UK’s reputation as a leader in medical technology, attracting further investment and fostering continued innovation in the healthcare sector.
Its partnership with Innovate UK has been pivotal to its success, positioning the company as a leader in medical innovation with a vision for continued impact in the healthcare sector. As the company nears the commercialisation of its medical technology, the world can soon expect to see its technology implemented by hospitals globally, revolutionising orthopaedic care and improving patient outcomes.
The Innovate UK Smart Grant opened the door to a new era for Drill Surgeries. We expanded the team and developed a prototype into a production-level product that is now treating patients in hospitals.
– Moises Barbera, Founder of Drill Surgeries