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The University of Southampton
Medicine

Accelerating medical innovations towards global impact - introducing Future Worlds Medicine

Published: 15 June 2017
John Holloway and Reuben Wilcock
Professor John Holloway and Dr Reuben Wilcock

University innovators are set to break into the healthcare and pharmaceutical markets through a new Future Worlds initiative announced at Southampton’s Medical and Health Research Conference 2017.

Future Worlds Medicine will grow a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within the medical and healthcare sector, powered by the ecosystem’s unique network of mentors, investors and industry leaders.

Future Worlds will now dedicate specialised resources, events and mentoring to medical discoveries and innovations as it builds on its process of developing academic-industry collaborations, drawing inspiration from the grassroots startup culture at Stanford University in the U.S.A. Over 20 University startups and spinouts have benefited from the initiative’s entrepreneurial ecosystem in its first full year and more than 40 industry mentors have offered their support to aspiring University entrepreneurs.

“Our vision is to see the brilliant research taking place at the University make a real difference in the world,” says Reuben Wilcock, Future Worlds Director. “We’re excited that this vision is progressing and look forward to driving forward medical innovations through this initiative. During this 18-month project we will put in place the foundations for an ambitious roadmap that will accelerate the most promising discoveries towards global impact.”

What is Future Worlds Medicine?

Future Worlds Medicine is an exciting new initiative to help University innovators impact healthcare and pharmaceutical markets through inspiring events, support and a global network of mentors.

An integral part of the University of Southampton’s Future Worlds incubator, the Medicine initiative will develop new innovations and discoveries into commercial opportunities and industry collaborations. Aspiring entrepreneurs will be able to apply for engagement funding and benefit from the opportunity to join the Future Worlds Medicine team at major international trade shows.

Future Worlds’ extensive network of seasoned founders, investors and industry leaders already includes Directors of Apple, Salesforce and founders of billion dollar companies. Entrepreneurs are introduced to these mentors, given help to raise funding and inspired through a growing programme of events and competitions. The Proximity to Discovery funding will also offer new engagement funding for innovators in medicine.

The University of Southampton’s historic Faculty of Medicine is a national leader in medical education, with a strong reputation for combined expertise in research and teaching. Academics lead cutting edge research in areas as diverse as cancer, osteoporosis, asthma and nutrition.

Professor John Holloway, Associate Dean Research for Medicine, adds, “The success of the Future Worlds approach in encouraging entrepreneurship in engineering at the University of Southampton has been clear. Future Worlds Medicine will now allow us to realise the fantastic potential for innovation and entrepreneurship that exists in medicine, healthcare and life sciences at the University.”

Discover the University staff behind Future Worlds Medicine in our updated Team section and visit the Engage section to sign up for the programme’s first entrepreneurial talk with Trimunocor founder Howard Clark.

Copy courtesy of Future Worlds.

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