West Midland's Mayor backs region’s medical technology firms
Mayor Richard Parker has announced plans to boost the region’s health and medical technology sector during a visit to The University of Warwick
Mayor Richard Parker has announced plans to turbocharge the region’s health and medical technology sector during a visit to see a pioneering diagnostics device at The University of Warwick, with the potential to save hundreds of thousands of lives.
The Mayor was shown the cutting-edge technology, a world first, during a visit to Coventry-based Cytecom which has created a groundbreaking approach to diagnosing bacterial infections, helping to combat so-called superbugs.
The technique offers a new tool in the fight to stop microbes becoming immune to antibiotics. The problem, known as Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), is considered one of the top ten biggest health threats to humanity.
Blood stream infections and sepsis are already responsible for 20% of all global deaths, a number that is predicted to rise due to the growing threat of AMR.
Cytecom’s technology is able to identify in less than an hour, rather than days, which antibiotic will work. By delivering near-real-time results, clinicians can choose the right antibiotic far sooner than with traditional culture-based methods – a critical advantage when treating time-sensitive conditions such as sepsis
Cytecom is one of around 700 West Midlands firms that make up the region’s health and medtech sector which is now one of the biggest in the UK.
The sector specialises in developing cutting edge medical devices, diagnostics and associated digital healthcare, employing more than 14,000 people and generating a £6bn annual turnover for the West Midlands economy.
As part of his Growth Plan, the Mayor has announced plans to build on existing tailored support for the sector so it can create thousands more well-paid jobs for local people and help build a regional economy focused on the fast-growing industries of the future.
The Mayor said: “Advances in technology, many of them developed right here in the West Midlands, are helping our hard-working doctors and nurses save more lives than ever before.
“But this isn’t just about helping people live longer, healthier lives – as important as that is. This is also about building a successful and futureproof economy – one that is driven by technology and high productivity and able to create the secure, well-paid jobs that people can build their lives around.
“That’s why my Growth Plan makes a commitment to nurturing our region’s talent in this cutting-edge industry and making the West Midlands the best place in the UK to start and grow a health or medtech business.”
Health and medtech is one of five high growth sectors in the West Midlands economy identified in the Plan as having a leading edge and significant potential for the creation of skilled, high-paid jobs.
The Plan sets out to create 100,000 good jobs in fast-growing industries like health and medtech, advanced manufacturing, digital and AI technology and business and financial services.