• Pfizer open applications for the 2nd Pfizer Healthcare Hub: London competitive grant to support start-ups in delivering innovative healthcare solutions
• Winners will receive a year-long programme of support and a share of a grant of £50k 

Following an oversubscribed first year, Pfizer Ltd has opened applications to the second cohort of Pfizer Healthcare Hub: London. The initiative, which began in 2017, helps established start-up companies, innovating at the cross-section between health and technology, to grow.

The Pfizer Healthcare Hub: London is a part of a global network of Pfizer innovation hubs, including existing centres in Berlin, Stockholm, Sydney, North America and Tel Aviv.

Speaking about the 2018 Hub launch, Erik Nordkamp, Managing Director of Pfizer UK said “Following the success of the 2017 UK Hub, I’m delighted to continue the programme again this year. We’re seeing remarkable innovation in healthcare here in the UK, with technology rapidly maturing to meet the needs of patients and clinicians. Analytics, telemedicine and consumer facing apps which accommodate multiple conditions are just some of the technological trends impacting health. Pfizer is committed to continuing to support health tech start-ups in the quest to improve health”.

Dr Hamish Graham, Pfizer Healthcare Hub: London manager, said: “Digital maturity is coming to the NHS and other UK health services in 2018. Technology is being used to explore innovation at every level of the NHS, to help address some of the serious health challenges patient providers face”.

“Taking incredible innovations and turning them into practical applications will be vital to help improve the delivery of healthcare for patients while generating efficiencies so health systems can meet the demands for the people they support.”

Innovation in health

Pfizer is seeking to support start-ups who have developed a product or service ready for use by the public or healthcare professionals which can show evidence of benefits to patients or clinicians.

Start-ups will compete for a share of a grant of £50k and a year-long programme of support, helping them to navigate the UK’s health system and giving them the opportunity to meet the people who can move their ideas and their businesses forward. The winners will also benefit from access to Pfizer’s network of partners, including the NHS, seeking to improve the experience and outcomes of patients.

UK-registered companies and charities looking for support are invited to enter the process for a chance to become part of this year’s programme by visiting: healthcarehub.pfizer.co.uk.

Previous winners

The three 2017 UK Hub winners, Cera, Echo and GiveVision, were selected from over 100 applications after a rigorous pitch process at Pfizer’s UK head office and ultimately demonstrated how their technology could deliver real benefits across the health system today.

All three delivered a very different offering: Cera is a technology enabled home care provider, Echo provides a free app that lets you order NHS prescriptions and have medication delivered to your door and GiveVision develop a wearable headset to give the visually impaired improved vision.

Dr Hamish Graham, Pfizer Healthcare Hub: London Manager, said: “When we launched Pfizer Healthcare Hub: London, we set out to find the UK’s most innovative healthtech start-ups ready to transform healthcare. We weren’t disappointed. In fact, we were blown away by the UK’s healthtech start-up scene’s potential impact for patients, and the enthusiasm to tap into Pfizer’s growing global network of innovation hubs. We’re looking forward to seeing what this year’s cohort brings and how Pfizer can help them reach more patients and providers faster.”