Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK) have launched The Ronald Furlong Fund, in collaboration with healthtech experts HS., as a catalyst for innovation in musculoskeletal care.
According to NHS England, 1 in 4 UK adults live with a musculoskeletal condition. These disabilities, which affect joints, bones and muscles, can have a huge impact on quality of life and nearly 11 million days lost as a consequence.
ORUK and HS. will provide a springboard for healthtech entrepreneurs working in musculoskeletal care by providing up to £100k in financial investment per startup, the collaboration will provide unique access to a clinician-led innovation ecosystem that specialises in improving patient care and tackling public health issues globally and in the UK.
Commenting on the launch, Dr Arash Angadji, CEO of ORUK said “We are thrilled to announce our new research funding initiative ‘The Ronald Furlong Fund’ in partnership with HS., an innovative accelerator that specialises in building and scaling healthcare startups. Through this collaboration, for the first time in our history, ORUK will be considering funding applications from startups in order to accelerate the innovation process and realise our vision of pain-free movement for all.”
This new initiative follows closely in the footsteps of the entrepreneurial ORUK founder Ronald Furlong, a pioneering surgeon who designed the first hip replacement that provided a biological fixation.
Dr James Somauroo, Founding Partner of HS. commented “By collaborating with ORUK on The Ronald Furlong Fund, we have created a formidable partnership that will select, support and fund the best healthtech startups in the musculoskeletal space. This will rapidly accelerate innovation in this field and ultimately improve outcomes for patients.”
The Ronald Furlong Fund will be open to application from 1 February until 28 February 2019. To find out more, including how to apply, visit www.oruk.org/research/for-researchers/furlongfund.
