New report into MSK innovation ecosystem
Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK) has launched a State of the Musculoskeletal health innovation ecosystem report. It is a synthesis of two new research studies commissioned by ORUK – business data analysis Beauhurst has identified and analysed innovative MSK companies (including spinouts) in the UK; meanwhile, academic researcher Businessable has produced a dataset and subject analysis of those involved in MSK research in the UK.
The purpose of these research studies is to improve understanding of the MSK health innovation ecosystem and ensure that support is focused on the right areas.
The main findings are:
The researchers identified 218 innovative MSK companies of which 189 are active, including 43 spinouts. Almost half of these innovative MSK companies are based in London and the South East with ‘medical devices and instruments’ as the largest product category.
The leading incubators of these spinouts are Imperial College London, University of Oxford and University of Southampton.
£580m equity funding was raised by innovative MSK companies between 2015-25 and 332 equity deals were secured during the same time.
More than 880 people are working on MSK related research projects at 79 academic institutions across the UK.
The report includes details of the sources of equity funding, spinout and research activity, plus regional breakdowns of businesses and researchers.
Copies of the report can be downloaded from the ORUK website.