Knowledge Exchange

Cancer Innovation Accelerator Programme

Programme duration: Tuesday 23 May – Tuesday 28 June 2023

Cancer Innovation Accelerator Programme – overview

A commercialisation roadmap supported by global experts

MedTech SuperConnector and London In Vitro Diagnostics, National Institute for Health and Care Research will be accepting applications for its Cancer Themed Accelerator Programme from Tuesday 23 May until Friday 30 June 2023. The accelerator programme is a 6-week Intensive learning journey providing participants with entrepreneurship training, masterclasses and access to domain expertise. The accelerator learning content is part-time.
 

About the accelerator

 
Led by Imperial College London, MedTech SuperConnector (MTSC) provides training, advice and access to industry networks. The accelerator programme allows Innovators, ECR’s clinical entrepreneurs, Small to Medium Enterprise and Multinationals with research teams to connect with peers from academic institutions and the networking opportunities they need to help fast-track the translation of their research from bench to bedside. 
 
To date MTSC have successfully supported over 34 ventures and 65+ Innovators nationally to help bring their medical technologies closer to solving some of today’s biggest healthcare challenges. Covering innovations in cancer, respiratory and infectious disease diagnostics, to sensor-enabled digital diagnostics and therapeutics platforms for self-driven management of Parkinson’s disease and women’s breast health. 
 
This accelerator will specifically focus on Cancer innovation, helping MedTech organisations that are focussing on diagnoses, treatment and/or support that are not yet at market. 
 
 
A commercialisation roadmap supported by global experts
 
 
The field of cancer research and treatment is constantly evolving, with emerging technologies offering promising new approaches. However, the process of identifying and supporting these technologies can be challenging. A new track-based approach to finding and supporting emerging cancer technologies is needed to ensure that these innovations can be effectively developed and brought to market. 
 
Partnering with the London In-Vitro Diagnostics, National Institute for Health and Care Research, the MedTech SuperConnector (MTSC) is offering an intensive Cancer Themed Accelerator Programme from May 23rd to June 30th. This programme provides participants with valuable entrepreneurship training, masterclasses, and one-to-one consultancy from global experts, helping to accelerate the development of innovative early-stage cancer technologies. 
 
The MTSC’s partnership with LIVD is crucial for identifying and supporting these technologies, and the accelerator programme offers a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs and innovators to access the expertise and resources needed to bring their innovation to fruition.  
 
With a part-time and hybrid learning format, potential participants must ensure they are able to accommodate the key dates, timings and events listed below before applying, including admission interviews. 

Key dates and programme schedule

Key dates and programme schedule

30th May   

Evidence Generation. 1hr   

What is Evidence and how can it support your journey to market, followed by a masterclass in Human Factors, the most powerful tool in market adoption 

 Introduction Online 

  

Human Factors Research. 2hrs   

  

Masterclass 1 Online   

1st June  

Health Economics 2hr   

What is Health economics and how can this help your journey 

Masterclass 2 Online   

1st June  

Clinical Trials 2hr  

Maximising efficiency and ensuring your develop evidence that counts.  

Masterclass 3 Online   

June 6th    

Regulatory 2hr  

The hurdles and challenges addressed  

Masterclass 4 Online   

June 6th 

Investment 2hr  

Public and Private investment – How to maximise your opportunity  

Masterclass 5 Online   

June 12th   

Market Access 2hr  

A review on the strategies and tools you can use to see sustained scaled adoption.  

Masterclass 6 online   

June 12th   

Internationalisation 2hr  

Masterclass 7 online   

Masterclass 7 online   

13th-23rd  

121 Sessions with Subject Matter experts  

A series of 1hr sessions, 5 in total, with regulatory, market access, evidence generation (x2) and Investment experts. Supported by a Tutor  

 Online Sessions   

 June 30th 

Closing Panel Presentation – invite only  2-6pm   

Pitch to Investors and Health system representatives over a 2hr session in front of a public gallery – with food and refreshments to follow.   

Scale space – White City   58 Wood Ln, London W12 7RZ, United Kingdom 

*MedTech SuperConnector reserves the right to change, amend or add dates. MTSC aims to be a responsive programme to the evolving needs of the cohort and may add or amend as appropriate.

Where can the accelerator take me?

The accelerator programme will provide you with three main outcomes that will fast-track your innovation to market.

Roadmapping – This accelerator will give you the insight, knowledge and a roadmap to guide you through the complex journey of product development through to market. It will help you understand where your time and budget need to be focussed, how to structure a MedTech venture, how you can set appropriate goals and more importantly, how you can achieve them?

Engagement – You can’t make this journey alone. Our programme will introduce you to individuals and networks with the knowledge and keys to open doors that are notoriously difficult to find and open. Expanding your network is a key step to getting to market successfully.

Investment, Growth and Collaboration opportunities – At the end of the accelerator, if you are ready, you will have the opportunity to position your business in front of a network of individuals and institutes who can assist your growth.

How the programme works

Starting with an immersive two day in person bootcamp followed by a series of online masterclasses, participants will cover the foundations of entrepreneurship, venture building, evidence and evaluation for market access and regulatory considerations, the program closes with a series of one-to-one (virtual) sessions with subject matter experts to help navigate your route to commercialisation.  

 
By the end of the programme participants can expect to have a greater understanding of:
 
  • Effective and applied use of startup methodologies e.g. Lean Startup, Business Model Canvas, and the Value Proposition Canvas 
  • How novel innovations are adopted into the NHS and international & private sector organisations 
  • Industry and/or chosen target market stakeholders 
  • Evidence generation and how to effectively utilise it 
  • Key partner networks and innovation landscape to progress the venture 

 

Through the accelerator programme you can also expect to gain the skills in:  

 

  • Developing a MedTech venture for commercialisation 
  • Building successful customer relationships with key stakeholders
  • Pitching and present a viable technology concept/venture to early-stage funders
  • Developing and adapting Market Access strategies 

Note: We do not take equity or any claim to IP old or developed during the programme.

Medtech-SuperConnector-cohort-tutorial

Who should apply

This programme is open to Cancer related Innovations at technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 or above from research fellows, postdocs & late-stage PhD candidates or innovators from Academic Research Centres, Small to medium size enterprise with research laboratories, such as private Histopathology departments, Multinational organisations with research and design teams or Clinical institutes with a medical technology in development in the lab’ or digital environment. 

 
  • Technologies should be at a minimum of proof concept stage TRL3
  • Be looking to explore the commercialisation or licensing of their technology
  • Applications are accepted from both institutional and non-institutional IP
  • Postdocs and PhD candidates must have support from their Principal Investigator or research supervisor to be on the programme

Who would be eligible?

  • Cancer related Innovation TRL3 or above from research fellows, postdocs & late-stage PhD candidates or innovators from Academic, Research, SME’s, Multinational or Clinical institutes with a medical technology in development in the lab/digital environment.

  • You will already be working on a medical device, diagnostic or eHealth solution or conceptual idea and wish to commercially develop the proposition
  • If you are a Postdoc of PhD student, you must have full written support from your principal investigator, research supervisor or line manager or a similarly placed individual within your institution/organisation to be on the programme 
  • Your Tech Transfer Office must support your application in writing 
  • Own, or have explicit written permission to use, exploit and commercialise the innovation’s IP 

How to apply

Application process

i
Step 1: Submit a completed application

(closing date 06 May 2023 23:59 BST)

Step 2: Interview Period

successful candidates will have the opportunity to book an Online 20 Minute interview slot through an online calendar (2-12 May 2023)

Step 3: Invitation to join the programme

(Monday 15 May 2023) 

Step 4: Start the programme

In-person pre-programme Entrepreneurial Bootcamp (23-24 May 2023) 

Accelerator programme (Tuesday 30 May – 30 June 2023)

Who is running the programme?

Omar Butt

Strategic Development lead Health Innovation at Imperial College London & Co-Founder at Vita Health Care Solutions

Omar is a life sciences Innovation specialist with expertise in commercialising healthcare enterprises and aligning the industry with healthcare providers to support the spread and adoption of new technology or best practice. 

Dr Melody Zhifang Ni

Senior Research Fellow

Melody is an expert in decision analysis, health technology assessments (HTA) and surgical quality. She has over 14 years of experiences working with clinicians, innovators and researchers, and has supported the design, development, and commercialisation of a wide range of technologies in a variety of settings, from biomarker discovery, cancer diagnostics, point of care home use devices, to imaging technologies as well as digital platforms.