Over 100 delegates, industry leaders, clinicians and stakeholders gathered at Charnwood Campus Science, Innovation and Technology Park to share and celebrate some of the world leading sustainable healthcare innovations being developed in Leicestershire. Health innovations and treatments that consider climate change, sustainability, and nature are integral to functioning of a health system and placing sustainability at the core of the future of healthcare offers opportunities to deliver better treatments, services, support healthier populations, and save costs.
The day was expertly chaired by Nicole McGlennon, Health Innovation East Midlands and delegates were treated to a varied range of new innovations, all designed to improve healthcare in a more sustainable way. Barzin Gavtash from Kindeva Drug Delivery, described the incredible work they are pioneering to deliver “green” inhalers with a new range of low GWP (global warming potential) propellants, to ensure that asthma and COPD patients can continue to receive the treatment they need, in a sustainable manner, essential if the NHS is going to reach net zero by 2045.
Professor Andre Ng, University of Leicester, talked through how managing atrial fibrillation (AF) with a digital platform and remote monitoring technology can drastically reduce patient admissions to hospital, not only cutting reducing the carbon footprint for treatment but freeing up resources for other patients. Data from the first large trial has shown that from 414 Virtual Ward Admissions for atrial fibrillation 243 hospitalisations were prevented, saving 802 bed days. A multicentre AF virtual ward large trial, funded through the healthcare Innovation Fund, is starting in 2025 to see if this innovation can be implemented at scale.
Sam Stephens, Director, TBAT Innovation, delivered a masterclass on how to fund your innovation, and sustainability impacts on fund raising. Delegates were treated to further food for thought including Professor Shahin Rahimifard, University of Loughborough, describing the work in progress to develop a circular economy for small medical devices and Sean James, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust and David Bosmans from Skyfarer using drones to deliver clinical samples and some exciting new innovations during the pitching slots. The day ended with a lively ask the experts panel session, chaired by James Fry, Mills & Reeve, where the concluding theme was that we all have to commit to change, driving change for a greener, more resilient future.
Gosia Krais, Commercial and Marketing Director, Charnwood Campus, said: “This event shows the commitment that our innovators have ensuring that they can provide sustainable healthcare, ensuring the health the planet and future generations. Today we covered all aspects of delivering a product which is sustainable, and it was great to feel the passion in the room. At the Campus we have worked incredibly hard to ensure that we can provide laboratory facilities that have a much-reduced carbon footprint, and we have ambitious plans to continue to reduce our carbon footprint. If you are looking for facilities which will help you reach your Net Zero ambitions, reach out to us to see how we can help you deliver your vision.”
Nicole McGlennon, CEO, Health Innovation East Midlands, commented “It was a real pleasure to chair the event. Sustainable innovation is at the forefront of driving key changes in the NHS over the coming decade. Hearing from some of the innovators in this space, was truly invigorating. Thank you to the Charnwood team for making this possible”.
Barzin Gavtash, Director of Commercial Strategy – MDI, Kindeva Drug Delivery, said “It has been wonderful to be able to share our work on developing our new propellants for inhalers, we are breathing life into a sustainable future with every green inhaler.”
Sam Stephens, TBAT Innovation, commented “It was a terrific day exploring sustainability in innovation. Attending this event really opened my eyes to the fantastic work teams are doing to help the NHS meet their Net Zero ambitions. As TBAT works with many organisations to secure innovation funding (grants, equity, R&D tax credits) the need to present sustainability is becoming more and more important to secure those funds. Being able to access knowledge and tool sets to assess impact and cost of sustainability is really important and this event presented the best on how to secure this information.”
James Fry, Head of Life sciences, Mills & Reeve; said “Effective sustainability planning is key to life sciences organisations and the sharing of best practice amongst peers, at conferences and other events, is so important to ensuring the sector understands the part it needs to play in combating climate change. Mills & Reeve regularly advises on issues in this area, ranging from reporting to effective supply chain contracting to address Scope 3 emissions, and it is clear that although frameworks and tools are available, these will continue to evolve at pace. Everyone has a part to play – this needs to be a ‘team sport’!”