Category Archives: Healthcare

COVID-19, Healthcare, Jobs, News, News from Wales

BBI Creates New Jobs to Support Next Phase in COVID-19 Home Test Development ( Now Hiring in Crumlin, South Wales)

BBI Solutions is recruiting for roles to support its work as part of a UK Government consortium, tasked with developing and manufacturing a Covid-19 Point of Care antibody test to support the government strategy on COVID-19 testing.

Four months ago, UK Government established the UK-Rapid Test Consortium (UK-RTC), in which BBI Solutions is a partner, to develop a COVID-19 lateral flow antibody test that can be used by people in their homes to determine if they have an antibody response to COVID-19, which would confirm previous infection.

This test together with the Government’s overall strategy on testing and vaccination mark a move towards detecting and eradicating the virus.

The successful completion of the development of the assay means BBI and its UK-Rapid Test Consortium (UK-RTC) partners require more staff to meet production demands in advance of final approval of the test by regulatory authorities.

BBI is investing in multiple roles at its manufacturing headquarters in Crumlin, South Wales, and these roles will be based in Manufacturing, Quality Control, Compliance, Technical Operations and Supply Chain.

Given the scale of the potential demand for the test within the UK, the Consortium will introduce a phased ramping up in capacity, but is making these key appointments in preparation for ensuring a smooth transition to high volume production at the manufacturing facilities by the end of the year.

This is a unique opportunity to join a progressive and growing organisation, which is contributing to South Wales and the UK’s resistance to the pandemic.

BBI Group Chief Executive Dr Mario Gualano said: “Given the difficult times we find ourselves in, we are delighted to announce vacancies. We have always valued our employees and they have been key to the speed at which our work with UK-RTC has progressed. We are pleased to be able to build on our team – these are exciting times for BBI and we envisage these key appointments playing their part in further developments with the Consortium.

“This is a very complex project that is being completed at extraordinary speed, compared to a normal test development programme.

“But we remain on track to deliver a test to the UK that will make a significant difference to the approach needed to manage COVID-19 infections.

“We are proud to be an integral part of this project and are thrilled with the progress to date.”

For further details on vacancies, please see www.the-bbigroup.com/careers/our-vacancies/

Healthcare, Healthcare News, News

The UK’s biggest innovation network extends its problem-solving prowess to “change the world”

KTN, the independent organisation that connects ideas, people and communities to create real world solutions to the biggest challenges faced by the UK Government and industry, has today launched a new strategy which will see it turn its innovation engine onto major environmental and societal issues.

 The knowledge sharing powerhouse and major partner of Innovate UK, KTN, was founded to bring disparate sectors together to facilitate R&D and fast-track innovation, with the explicit goal to stimulate the UK economy.

KTN is a key player in UK healthcare, playing a key role in developing a COVID-19 antibody test with a UK-based manufacturer that is capable of mass production and delivering up to 46,000 results per day.  The organisation is also on the UK BioIndustry Association’s Vaccines Manufacturing Taskforce.

More broadly, KTN has had a hand in solving economy-stunting problems such as:

  • The ventilator shortage in the early months of the pandemic by connecting UK manufacturing to healthcare.
  • The safe transport of nuclear waste from old facilities to new by connecting medical X-ray suppliers to the nuclear industry.
  • Preventing major food shortages by connecting robotics researchers with commercial crop growers to overcome the dwindling picker workforce.

Today’s dramatic shift in focus, which is being driven by newly appointed CEO, Dr Alicia Greated, is the cornerstone of a five-year plan to “change the world”, using KTN’s deep expertise and powerful connections not only for economic good, but environmental and societal good too, starting with the goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions.

Dr Alicia Greated says, “Innovation is complex. The journey from idea to market is not straightforward and requires a diverse range of know-how, investment, market knowledge and research, and we make that happen.  KTN exists to connect innovators with new partners and new opportunities beyond their existing thinking – accelerating the time it takes for ambitious ideas to become real-world solutions, and we’ve been incredibly successful over the years.

“KTN is playing an important role in overcoming some of the most high-profile and complicated problems the UK economy is facing.  But beyond our shores, the world is up against some even bigger challenges; climate change, COVID-19, access to healthcare, trade and investment, the future of global finance and online security – to name a few.  If we broaden our scope, we can tackle more of these problems and change the world for the better.”

KTN has ambitions to extend its global impact as part of its five-year strategy, but is already involved in a broader range of projects in the UK, such as:

  • Bringing its network of mathematical scientists together to help FareShare, the UK’s largest charity dedicated to tackling food poverty, better forecast demand for food products and optimise its distribution networks to meet that demand.
  • Holding a nationwide innovation call to address the challenge of social distancing requirements on transport ships. Five new technologies are now undergoing trials to ensure workboats can take the necessary number of engineers to offshore wind farms and prevent their failure. These technologies are also being assessed for suitability in other industry sectors.
  • Creating a partnership between charity Positive Steps and Manchester Metropolitan University to create a new framework in consultation with young people from within the criminal justice system which has resulted in reduced reoffending rates and improved life chances. The scheme is the first of its kind in the UK to be co-created with the young offenders themselves and was facilitated via the use of boxing, rap lyric writing and urban art workshops.

David Lawrence, Chair of KTN’s Board commented “World history tells us that innovation typically comes from new intersections between ideas, technologies and people, and KTN’s history confirms that.

“In the present, we are facing more and more problems as a society, some of which can be described as existential.  Innovation has never been more important.  That’s why KTN and its network is committed to creating and fostering diverse connections to drive innovation for positive change to our economy, but also towards a more sustainable society.

“I am proud to be chairing this organisation which is dedicated to catalysing positive change across the entire spectrum of innovation.”

To find out more about opportunities to accelerate your innovative healthcare project or challenge, visit, www.ktn-uk.org.

Healthcare, News

Digital Health Platform Practio completes 8.2 MEUR financing to speed up its international expansion

Copenhagen based digital healthcare platform company Practio ApS completed its equity funding round, which, together with loan conversion and debt financing, raised 8.2 MEUR for the company. Practio has developed and deployed a digital healthcare platform, which enables pharmacies to become central points-of-care. Initial Practio services include vaccinations and COVID-19 antibody testing, but the company is planning to roll out broader platform services over time. Practio has deployed its platform across Denmark since 2015 and started its rollout in the UK in 2019. The latest funding will be used to speed up the deployment in the UK and to enter the German market later this year with other countries to follow from 2021 onwards.

Since 2018, Practio has been supported by PHOENIX group, a leading healthcare provider in Europe, which has now become a shareholder of Practio. Both companies share the ambition to strengthen the role of local pharmacies as direct, close-to-home healthcare providers.

Spintop and PHOENIX were also joined in the investment round by Carl Westin, the international investment company with a focus on digital health.
Practio co-founder & CEO Mads Mikkelsen: “Recent events have clearly demonstrated the global need to fundamentally rethink primary healthcare delivery. We’re super excited about the strong support from Spintop, PHOENIX group and Carl Westin in accelerating our continued expansion, enabling better access to quality healthcare services for more people”.

Erik Wenngren, co-founder and partner of Spintop Ventures remarked “Spintop is pleased to be able to support Practio in its international rollout by leading this funding round. The company’s service platform off-loads the strained healthcare sector by enabling pharmacies to become proper points-of-care and it also brings true value to pharmacies by giving them possibilities to service their customer better and bring new revenue streams.”

Dr. Tobias Bucher, Head of Digital Transformation & Enablement at PHOENIX group, explains the company’s investment stating, “We believe that Practio’s services can transform local pharmacies into central points-of-care for their community. This benefits patients, who can trust to receive important health care services as well as products at one central place close to their home. At the same time, it benefits pharmacies, which can offer more relevant services, thus strengthening their close connections to customers.“

Benefits, Healthcare, HR News, Insurance, Wellbeing at Work

Aon offers new approach to health insurance through Equipsme

A new, more affordable health insurance is being offered through Aon (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm providing a broad range of risk, retirement and health solutions. Aon is working with Equipsme, a provider ofsimple and practical health plans for businesses, to make health insurance available to thousands more UK employees, particularly important as employers consider their health strategies in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Equipsme’s standard cover – for £7 per person per month – includes private physiotherapy appointments in addition to a remote GP service, private prescription delivery and access to online health check and AXA PPP healthcare’s nurse helpline. It offers the same prices for people aged 16-69, whether they are new or existing customers.

Employees can upgrade their level of cover and add family members by paying separately via their own direct debit. These costs, as self-funded, would not attract any P11d and the process also minimises administrative impact on payroll teams.

Aon’s UK Benefits & Trends Survey 2020 revealed that 52% of employers offer fully company funded Private Medical Insurance to all staff, leaving many employees to voluntarily self-fund or have no provision.

David Battle, CEO of Aon’s UK employee benefits division, said:

“For a number of businesses, offering traditional private medical insurance (PMI) as a benefit may only be achievable for senior members of their teams, potentially leaving a significant number of their people without any form of health cover.

“As much as businesses might like to offer a valuable benefit like PMI to all of their employees, some employers will find that this is not financially possible. This new health insurance option provides employers with choice and flexibility, especially important now that COVID-19 is changing the way we live, work and gain health and wellbeing support.”

Every Equipsme plan holder receives an online health check and has 24/7 access to a private GP service as well as physiotherapy. Stress support provided by professional counsellors can be added for £1.50 per employee per month.

Plans can also be upgraded to include private diagnosis and hospital treatment. This is presently delivered as digital triage and direction to in-person treatment if a procedure cannot be safely delayed. As lockdown restrictions ease and private hospitals return to treating non-urgent patients, plan holders will access diagnosis and treatment in person.

Equipsme Founder, Matthew Reed, said:

“Businesses are re-prioritising which employee benefits they offer and why, with a focus on impact and sustainability. We are very pleased that Aon sees the opportunity to help more businesses around the country to deliver a hugely valued benefit to all their team.

“Equipsme’s offer is flexible with practical health support from day one which provides access to professional advice around the clock. We believe that it is going to prove to be a hugely attractive proposition to businesses around the country at a time when remote access to health and wellbeing support is more important than ever with the impacts of COVID-19.”

More info about Aon’s UK Benefits & Trends 2020 Survey

Healthcare, News

Digital wellbeing organisation to expand as businesses seek online support for employee mental health 

Champion Health, a digital wellbeing platform is expanding after receiving an increase in enquiries from businesses wanting to support their employees wellbeing and mental health during the coronavirus pandemic.

Launched by social entrepreneur Harry Bliss, Champion Health helps businesses optimise the health and wellbeing of staff by offering proactive health assessments, data-driven solutions and online mental health training.

The company has seen a surge in enquiries as businesses seek to support their staff using online tools during this uncertain time.

Since March, Champion Health has had 7,000 new individual registrations and over 400 businesses and company sign-ups. This is compared to 1,500 signups the business had at the start of 2020. In April, the company made its online mental health training free in response to the increase in enquiries and the impact that the lockdown period and working from home was having on people’s wellbeing.

Harry Bliss, who founded Champion Health at just 24, said: “We have seen a significant increase in demand since the lockdown in the UK began. Employee wellbeing is now at the forefront of business leaders minds. There has definitely been a shift in attitude towards workplace health in the past 3 months and we can only see the need becoming greater. Businesses have been coming to us specifically seeking online tools and advice to support their employees as they work remotely.   Due to home working, many employers are finding it difficult to spot the warning signs of their team members struggling and may not be equipped with how they can support them.

“With our platform being digital, it has been ideal for organisations to launch whilst remote working is taking place. The platform enables businesses to build wellbeing strategies off the back of real data, which is essential for any organisation to perform at their peak.We have found an increase in demand when compared to earlier this year, even after we finished the free mental health training offer.”

Champion Health is a resident at the business accelerator, TwinklHive which offers space, investment, and support services to start-ups that are set to make a difference in society. TwinklHive has been home to the company since March but this month also invested in the platform. This will support Champion Health to push ahead with its growth plans by expanding its platform and creating an app.

Paul Berwin, founder of Berwins Solicitors, supported Champion Health throughout the investment process. Paul founded Berwins in 1986 and led the firm to become a leading law firm, before taking the bold step of leading the opening of its Berwins Digital office in 2013.

Twinkl Hive was launched by the global educational publisher Twinkl in 2019. The team at TwinklHive and Twinkl are now using the Champion Health platform to support team members, who are based around the world. This includes offering all team members the online mental health training and asking them to complete a workplace health assessment so a workplace health programme can be created.

Jonathan Seaton, Co-Founder and CEO at Twinkl, said: “Champion Health was founded quite simply, to change and save lives. At Twinkl and TwinklHive, we are, and always will be, mission-driven and we put people at the core of what we do. We were absolutely delighted to be able to offer an investment opportunity to Harry and his team so that they can continue transforming how people view and support mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.”

Champion Health has been able to sustainably grow since launching in 2018 by being resourceful and receiving support from health care professionals that recognised the potential of the platform to significantly impact workplace health. This includes General Practitioners and academics who have offered pro bono services to help construct the service.

For more information visit https://championhealth.co.uk/

COVID-19, Healthcare, News

BBI Solutions Partners with Avacta Group PLC as COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test Manufacturer

BBI Solutions is pleased to announce it has been appointed to manufacture the saliva-based rapid SARS-COV-2 antigen test that is being developed by Affimer® biotherapeutics and reagents developer Avacta Group plc (AIM: AVCT) in conjunction with Cytiva.

South Wales based BBI Solutions is a leading global developer and manufacturer of raw materials and finished test products for the in-vitro diagnostics market with manufacturing sites in five different countries, spanning four continents.

Dr. Mario Gualano, Chief Executive of BBI Group, said: “BBI are delighted to have been appointed to lead the manufacture of Avacta’s rapid coronavirus antigen test and to be able to further extend our lateral flow expertise to addressing the global challenges presented by COVID-19.

“Our ability to respond rapidly to Avacta’s needs is testament to our team’s diagnostic expertise and the supporting manufacturing and quality systems we have implemented at our ISO13485 accredited facility.”

The manufacturing agreement between BBI and Avacta announced today comprises accelerated development and validation of a scaled-up manufacturing process that has the potential to ramp up to a production capacity of millions of tests per month. Avacta, Cytiva and BBI are in the process of technology transfer of the prototype and related manufacturing procedures for the saliva-based rapid COVID-19 antigen test from Cytiva to BBI.

Avacta aims to begin clinical validation of the test as soon as possible by using the first pilot batches generated as part of the technology transfer process for these studies. In parallel with these clinical validation studies, which will be run within the UK government’s CONDOR programme and potentially with other collaborators globally, BBI will work with Avacta and Cytiva to produce the additional technical documentation that is required for CE marking of the final product.

Dr. Alastair Smith, Chief Executive of Avacta Group commented: “I am delighted to be working with BBI to manufacture the rapid coronavirus antigen test. BBI has been excellent to work with to define a highly compressed product development timeline that will allow us to get product to market as quickly as possible.

“We anticipate very high demand for the COVID-19 rapid test and will be working with our preferred manufacturing partners at BBI to satisfy that demand. We are actively continuing our discussions with other manufacturing partners to ensure that we have access to additional manufacturing capacity to address the global need for SARS-COV-2 antigen testing in the next few years.

“As we set out in the use of proceeds at the recent fund raising, we have now expanded our product development team with the appointment of an experienced in-vitro diagnostic Product Development Manager and we are expanding the protein production facilities in order to meet the expected demand for Affimer proteins the coronavirus tests and future diagnostic tests in the pipeline.

“The diagnostics business has also been working at a rapid pace towards ISO13485 accreditation, which will streamline CE marking and other regulatory approval processes.

“I am immensely proud of what has been achieved by Avacta’s diagnostics team. It would have been challenging under normal circumstances to have made such progress in just a few months, but with the additional restrictions imposed by COVID-19, it has been an outstanding example of hard work, ingenuity and commitment from a world-class team.

“I look forward to further updating the market as we go through the next stages of manufacturing scale-up, clinical validation, regulatory approval and product launch.”

This announcement contains information which, prior to its disclosure, was considered inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (MAR).

COVID-19, Healthcare, News

Businesses increasingly concerned about impact of ‘Test, track and trace’ on the digital economy

The latest ‘Coronavirus – The Impact on Business’ survey from the Data & Marketing Association (DMA) reveals growing concerns about the impact of the pandemic and UK Government’s actions on the digital economy.

One of the most notable changes between surveys was an increase in the belief that coronavirus was harming public trust in brands and marketing – up to 29% in late June, from 17% in May.

Sentiment about the impact of the UK Government’s rollout of the ‘Test, track and trace’ programme on the data and marketing industry also continues to worsen. Over half (57%) of industry professionals now believe this will negatively impact consumers’ willingness to share personal data – up from 42% in May.

This may also explain the continued decline in confidence the data and marketing industry appears to have in government. In March, almost two-thirds of respondents (64%) said they were confident in the nation’s leaders, this has now halved to just 32% in June.

“Data is an essential part of both controlling the virus as lockdown is eased, but also the continued smooth running of the modern digital economy and recovery for many businesses in the UK,” says Chris Combemale, CEO of the DMA. “Businesses rely on consumer confidence and trust; without which they are unwilling to share their data with organisations. It’s concerning to see the level of negative feeling toward the government’s handling of the ‘Test, track and trace’ rollout. If not resolved, this could have a lasting impact on our industry and the long-term health of the digital economy.”

As the hospitality industry re-opens, pubs, cafes, restaurants and hairdressers will have to store personal information of customers in case they need to be alerted to outbreaks. While this data may play a key role in controlling the virus, many of these businesses will be unfamiliar with gathering and storing data.

“These requirements will see many pubs, restaurants and cafes starting to gather and store personal data, which is perhaps something unfamiliar to them,” says John Mitchison, Director of Policy and Compliance at the DMA. “For this to be effective, the public need to trust that their data will be processed and used correctly. Businesses gathering data should consider the approach they take carefully.”

In light of these developments, DMA Member Promotigo (with Guest Visit) has launched solutions to relieve legal and practical burdens of the hospitality industry.

For full details on the DMA Coronavirus Survey, visit:
https://dma.org.uk/research/coronavirus-june-2020-the-impacts-on-business

Denbighshire, Healthcare, News, News from Wales, North Wales, PPE

PPE experts ensure NHS Wales’ equipment is fit for purpose

As the Covid-19 pandemic sparked unprecedented global demand and competition for personal protective equipment (PPE), a Denbighshire-based protective equipment specialist has leveraged its international supply chains to ensure Wales has access to sources of essential equipment.

Established in 2005, Workplace Worksafe is a major UK supplier of workplace PPE and protective workwear. As one of the largest independent distributors in the UK, the company typically sells more than 250,000 products to customers operating in a range of sectors across the country and Europe.

Responding to a call issued by Life Sciences Hub Wales for industry support in Wales’ battle against the virus, PPE experts at Workplace Worksafe utilised their relationships with an international network of PPE and protective clothing manufacturers to establish a pipeline of productive equipment, including masks, scrubs and fitment tests, into the country.

The Covid-19 emergency has seen businesses across Wales rally to ensure NHS Wales and frontline services can access PPE equipment that will protect those working to save lives and serve their communities. To date, partnering with Life Sciences Hub Wales has enabled Workplace Worksafe to supply over 27,120 pieces of equipment into NHS Wales via the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership.

Cari-Anne Quinn, CEO of Life Sciences Hub Wales, said: “Our call out to Welsh industry generated a phenomenal response from businesses operating in a range of sectors across the country.

“Workplace Worksafe are a fantastic example of how Wales has been able to create partnerships that unlock specialist expertise and facilitate collaboration that results in new supply chains into NHS Wales. Our work with NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership has enabled us to secure safe and certified products that will play a vital role in protecting both patients, and those working on the frontline of our health and social care sectors.”

The achievements of the Workplace Worksafe team goes beyond the ability to source PPE. Their expertise and experience alongside partners at Life Sciences Hub Wales has enabled them to ensure that the equipment sourced meets the standards required for use by NHS Wales.

PPE equipment, such as masks, can only protect an individual if it fits correctly, forming a secure seal when worn. For this reason, Workplace Worksafe also worked to secure FIT Test kits that help NHS Wales staff ensure that they find the type of mask that best fits and protects them.

In addition to producing and sourcing equipment for Wales’ healthcare and frontline services, Workplace Worksafe is also helping employers across Wales to access the PPE they need to keep their teams and customers safe.

Workplace-Worksafe’s managing director, Rhian Parry, said: “As a Welsh business, we are passionate about moving the production of PPE and other critical goods back to Wales. Our team in Ruthin have been working extended hours, seven days a week to secure supplies and we are proud that we have been able to help with sourcing much-needed resources for healthcare teams across the country.

“Working with Life Science Hub Wales is allowing us to ensure that the equipment, that our teams have worked tirelessly to source and create, goes directly to where NHS Wales needs it the most. That work isn’t over as we continue to secure regular shipments of PPE for NHS Wales, with new containers arriving each month.”

Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport, Lee Waters said: “Welsh businesses continue to play an absolutely crucial role in helping us provide the vital PPE supplies our healthcare workers need.

“Suppliers like Workplace Worksafe have really risen to the challenge posed by this pandemic and are key in ensuring we have a long-term supply of important items.

“I would like to thank them, and the Life Sciences Hub, for all that they’re doing as we continue to deal with coronavirus.”