Launch of MSK Innovation Ecosystem Report

Our State of the Musculoskeletal health innovation ecosystem report is a synthesis of two new research studies:

• The identification and analysis of innovative MSK companies (including spinouts) in the UK, undertaken by business data specialists Beauhurst.
• The identification and analysis of those involved in MSK research in the UK, by academic researcher Businessable.

The purpose of the research is to help us better understand the MSK health innovation ecosystem and ensure that we are focusing our support on the right areas and on addressing the most significant barriers to innovation and entrepreneurship,

The main findings are: 

The researchers identified 218 innovative MSK companies of which 189 are active, including 43 spinouts. Almost half of these innovative MSK companies are based in London and the South East with ‘medical devices and instruments’ as the largest product category.

The leading incubators of MSK spinouts are Imperial College London, University of Oxford and University of Southampton. 

£580m equity funding was raised by innovative MSK companies between 2015-25 and 332equity deals were secured during the same time.

More than 880 people are working on MSK related research projects at 79 academic institutions across the UK.

The report includes details of the sources of equity funding, spinout and research activity, including data on regional activity.