Smith & Nephew inks wound care collab R&D deal with Univ. of Hull

Smith & Nephew (NYSE:SNN) said today it inked a collaborative research & development deal with the University of Hull to develop new approaches to advanced wound care.

The company said that the deal will create “one of the world’s largest wound care research clusters” and includes a 5-year framework and a co-investment of approximately $3.9 million (£3 million).

“We are thrilled that the University of Hull shares our passion for the importance of advancing the science of wound care. Pioneering innovation is a strategic priority for Smith & Nephew. This partnership will combine the brightest minds with the finest R&D facilities available with the aim of better supporting healthcare professionals in the advanced treatment of wounds, which is an area of significant unmet medical need and a substantial cost to healthcare systems. There will be opportunities for students and employees to interact on a daily basis to share knowledge, best practice and support our ambitious R&D pipeline. Combine that with the scale of scientific specialities that is based here, then this partnership is a truly exciting prospect,” Smith & Nephew research & innovation VP Stewart McKinlay said in a prepared statement.

The collaborative deal will be supported by Smith & Nephew’s new R&D center in Hull, UK, as well as the University of Hull’s new Health Campus, which the company said would be open this summer.

“Britain is a global leader in medical technology innovation. Partnerships such as this between Smith & Nephew and University of Hull further strengthen our position at the forefront of global medical research and development. Creating one of the largest wound care clusters in the world is a huge vote of confidence in the UK as a whole and Hull in particular, as we build a ‘global Britain’ with pioneering medical technology at its heart,” local MP Emma Hardy said in a prepared release.

As part of the partnership, Smith & Nephew said it would extend the use of its facilities to Wound Care Cluster students through workshops and by providing industrial placement supervisors.

“This partnership goes to further strengthen our links with industry at the same time as creating a global hub for pioneering new approaches in this field. By combining the considerable expertise we have at the University with those at Smith & Nephew, we will drive research which will help to position ourselves as global leaders in this field,” Univ. of Hull research & enterprise pro-vice chancellor Dr. David Richards said in a press release.

“I am delighted by the establishment of this exciting new multi-disciplinary wound care cluster. This venture brings together a team of experts from across the University and builds upon our existing links with a world-leader in advanced wound management. This exciting partnership will ultimately deliver significant patient benefits,” Univ. of Hull wound healing research group head Dr. Matthew Hardman said in prepared remarks.

Last week, Smith & Nephew said it added a total knee arthroplasty application to the Navio handheld robot-assisted platform.

The European Union’s largest orthopedics player said the Navio system can be used with its Journey II, Legion Primary and Genesis II total knees. Smith & Nephew acquired Minnesota-based Blue Belt Technologies – Navio’s original maker – in January 2016 for $275 million.

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