Choosing lab space: a guide for life sciences start-ups
For life sciences and medtech start-ups, finding the right lab space can be a defining decision. The right environment can help accelerate your research, attract talent and investors, and grow your business with confidence. The wrong one can create delays, raise costs and stall growth. For early-stage companies, securing the right lab space early can […]
US-UK nanotech partners drive global push for equitable diagnostics
A pioneering partnership between the University of Birmingham’s Clinical Immunology Services (CIS) and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is driving forward a new generation of ultra‑sensitive, affordable diagnostic technologies aimed at reducing global health inequalities. The diagnostic divide between the Global North and Global South continues to limit access to essential tests, with nearly half […]
Impli to accelerate real-time hormone monitoring technology at Birmingham’s PHTA
Impli, a pioneering health technology company developing implantable biosensors for real-time hormone monitoring, has become the first commercial lab resident at Birmingham’s PHTA, targeting team growth, human trials and manufacturing readiness. Focusing initially on improving women’s health, Impli’s platform is designed to help clinicians and patients understand hormonal fluctuations to make better-informed treatment decisions […]
Multi-million pound investment brings advanced biological medicines manufacturing to PHTA
Pharmaceutical researchers and enterprises will soon be able to make advanced therapeutics such as mRNA vaccines for cancer in three new, dedicated commercial cleanrooms at the University of Birmingham’s Precision Health Technologies Accelerator (PHTA). Announced today by the UK Government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the funding has been unlocked by the Life Sciences Innovative […]
How mRNA vaccines could beat pancreatic cancer
Birmingham is leading the way in personalised mRNA vaccine trials, with near-patient biomanufacturing facilities coming soon to PHTA Fighting the deadliest of cancers The outlook for a patient with pancreatic cancer is bleak. The disease is often caught late and tends to be highly aggressive, reducing treatment options. Standard therapies are gruelling and, for many […]
New saliva test for tetanus immunity set for evaluation in Rwanda
Researchers from the University of Birmingham’s Clinical Immunology Services have developed a simple saliva test to identify tetanus immunity status in the Global South. In a programme of work backed by £1.1 million of Medical Research Council funding, researchers have worked with industry partner, Medtechtomarket, to create a low-cost, lateral flow point-of-care test that enables immunity […]
Revolutionising life-saving blood delivery: Samoco begins prototyping at PHTA Makerspace
Delivering life-saving blood supplies to remote areas via drone is a step closer to reality, with Samoco – a smart medical transport device company – prototyping its flagship product within PHTA’s Makerspace. Up to 60% of trauma-related deaths in low- and middle-income countries occur due to blood loss, with a lack of refrigeration equipment and […]
Life Sciences Week 2026 launches with ambition for health, innovation and growth
Life Sciences Week 2026 will take place from 21–25 September, bringing together leaders from across academia, industry, investment and the NHS to accelerate improved health outcomes and economic growth. Now in its second year, the annual celebration of health tech and med tech innovation is set to be “bigger, broader and more ambitious”, with an […]
Up-close innovation: PHTA opens doors to Selly Oak students
Selly Oak teens will have the chance to explore the world of medical innovation thanks to a new partnership between local schools and the University of Birmingham’s Precision Health Technologies Accelerator (PHTA). PHTA, which opened in 2025, helps businesses developing new medical devices and treatments to grow. Its health and life sciences research facilities include […]
Introducing David Browning – PHTA’s Chief Technology Officer
Experienced biochemical immunologist and mentor to multiple medtech entrepreneurs, David Browning, has recently joined PHTA as our Chief Technology Officer. David is currently Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Institute of Cancer Research, has chaired OBN, Clinical Immunology Services (now based at PHTA), and deep‑tech ventures, and has also held various CEO and advisory roles within UK, US, […]