Accelerating the deployment of new MSK technologies into the NHS

Accelerating the deployment of new MSK technologies into the NHS

Our second Joint Venture event, which took place on 24th June 2025, focused on ways in which MSK entrepreneurs can better navigate our health system and accelerate the deployment of their innovations for the benefit of patients.  As highlighted by one of our speakers, Professor Andy Metcalfe, it currently takes 6-10 years for UK patients to access orthopaedic innovations.

The session commenced with a introductory presentation from the CEO of ORUK, Dr Arash Angadji, in which he reiterated the purpose of Joint Venture and outlined recent innovation initiatives by the charity.

Andy Metcalfe, Professor of Trauma and Orthopaedics, University of Warwick, outlined a new concept for how the UK can become a globally respected place for research. This focused on the idea of an Orthopaedic Research Accelerator.

Professor Metcalfe’s concept is intended to mirror a similar approach to the Acceleration of Clinical Trials in leukaemia. Professor Charles Craddock, who lead that initiative, shared his thoughts on what the MSK sector might learn from his experiences.

ORUK is the only MSK charity to directly invest in start-up businesses. The CEO of one of these start-ups, Dr Joshua Steer of Radii Devices, described the challenges his company faced when attempting to navigate the UK health system.

Mark Grumbridge, Head of Clinical Investigations, MHRA, outlined the work that his organisation is undertaking in supporting the deployment of innovative medical technology.

Paul Blakely, Director of Strategic Government Affairs, Newmarket Strategy, provided us with a fascinating overview of the current policy landscape, with a particularly focus on the soon to be launched NHS 10 Year Plan and Life Science Sector Plan.

As part of its support for the MSK innovation system, ORUK funds an MSK Innovation Accelerator education programme with the MedTech SuperConnector. Hiten Thakrar, Head of Imperial SuperConnector at Imperial College London described the benefits of this initiative and announced the forthcoming launch of an online version of the programme, appropriately entitled, The Joint Venture Academy.

The next Joint Venture meeting will take place in November 2025. If you are interested in learning more about Joint Venture, please contact m.thomas@oruk.org