The Yorkshire and Humber region contains the largest concentration of orthopaedic and medical device companies in the UK, with over 360 companies and a combined output of around £550 million.
Leeds is home to over 100 companies specialising in medical devices, health-related biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, together employing over 3,500 people. They produce a diverse range of products within the main sub-sectors of medical and surgical equipment, orthopaedic prosthetics, personal appliances, dental materials and appliances.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is the largest in the UK, treating over a million patients a year with a budget of £930 million and a workforce of 15,500. St James’s University Hospital, part of the Trust, is the largest teaching hospital in Europe. It houses the landmark £220 million Yorkshire Cancer Centre, opened in 2008, the largest of its kind in Europe.
The Enterprise & Innovation Office at the University of Leeds works with public and private sector partners to commercialise research and innovation in the fields of healthcare and medical technology.
The University of Leeds is home to two Centres for Industrial Collaboration of particular interest to the sector. The Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering CIC gives the region’s firms access to expertise and facilities in orthopaedics, woundcare, cardiovascular surgery, dentistry and urology. The Particles CIC offers expertise in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
The Leeds Dental Institute’s state of the art research clinic is dedicated to the delivery of world class translational and clinical research in dentistry.
The University of Leeds, with its private sector partner Tectran, supports spin-outs emerging from the university and is currently responsible for 16 such firms in Leeds, including the award-winning Photopharmica, Tissue Regenix Ltd, Avacta and Luto Research.
Depuy International Ltd, part of the Johnson and Johnson group, has its headquarters and UK R&D facilities in Leeds. Other award-winning companies based in Leeds include Surgical Innovations, Brandon Medical, Xiros plc and Medasil Surgical Ltd.
Medilink (Yorkshire & Humber) Ltd acts as a gateway for national and international clients interested in developing commercial, research or clinical relationships with the region’s medical technology companies, hospitals and universities.
Leeds is home to Medipex, the NHS innovation hub for the Yorkshire and Humber region, considered to be one of the most successful hubs in the UK.
A bioincubator with serviced office and laboratory accommodation, is situated within the University of Leeds campus.