The NHSA and the innovation arm of the Israeli Government have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in recognition of their joint commitment to accelerate global innovation in health and life sciences.

The MoU was signed this week at the British Ambassador’s Residence near Tel Aviv, by Dr Séamus O’Neill, Chief Executive of the NHSA, and Dror Bin, CEO of the Israel Innovation Authority.

It builds on four years of collaboration between Israel and the NHSA, facilitated by the UK Israel Tech Hub at the British Embassy in Israel, and renews a pledge to work together to tackle major healthcare challenges.

Through an existing partnership with the UK Israel Tech hub, the NHSA, a partnership of leading NHS (National Health Service) hospitals, universities, and academic health science networks across the North of England, has worked with over 150 Israeli companies to explore bringing their technologies to the UK. This MoU with the Israeli Government further strengthens the relationship which will drive jobs, investment, and innovative healthcare into the North of England.

Dr Séamus O’Neill, Chief Executive of the NHSA, said: “The MoU is a fantastic step forward in our strategic partnership with Israel and it builds on the solid foundations of our work to date. We are proud to represent the North of England’s thriving life science sector and demonstrate that the North is very much open for business.

“By bringing international healthcare and industry partners together, we have a truly unique opportunity to share knowledge, develop cutting-edge innovations, drive investment in life-sciences and improve the health and wealth of our region.”

Dror Bin, CEO of Israel Innovation Authority, said: “It is a great pleasure to collaborate and strengthen our partnership with the Northern Health Science Alliance. Israel and the UK have a proven track record in health innovation and excellence in life science, making our two countries naturally aligned to accelerate advancements.  As part of our international pilot program, the ability to conduct experiments and tests in leading health institutions such as the NHSA member hospitals will create a win-win situation for fostering innovation, creating business opportunities and achieve major medical developments while improving patient care in both countries.”

Neil Wigan, British Ambassador to Israel, said: “We at the embassy are delighted to be working alongside the NHSA to build lasting bridges between organisations in the UK and Israel. We see this initiative as pivotal to the development and expansion of the collaborative work we already do here.”

The NHSA, part-funded by Research England until 2023, will provide support to the Israeli companies to access the UK clinical research environment in the North of England, helping the companies to build a business case for their technology when entering the UK. It will also enable them to engage with health research professionals, economic teams and clinical expertise for the development and validation of their technology within the NHS.

The launch event to mark the MoU signing, was hosted by The British Embassy in Israel, in Tel Aviv.

It was attended by Israeli health leaders, representatives from the NHSA, along with academics and healthcare professionals from some of the North of England’s leading institutions.

Israel is known globally as the ‘start-up’ nation, with the most start-ups per capita in the world. This international agreement will bring Israel’s innovative R&D knowledge, health, and medical technology, to the North of England, with the potential to bring significant investment to the region and major benefits to hospitals and patients.

A leading cluster organisation in the UK, the NHSA represents 24 leading institutions across the North, including 10 world-leading universities, 10 research-intensive NHS trusts and the four northern Academic Health Science Networks.

Fifteen representatives from the institutions are part of the NHSA delegation to Tel Aviv, where they are exhibiting alongside thousands of innovators at Biomed, Israel’s leading life science and technology event.

The delegation, co-hosted with the UK Israel Tech Hub and Israeli Foreign Trade Administration, provides an opportunity for leading researchers and health professionals, to showcase the North and the UK’s bold ambitions for life sciences and health technology. NHSA members are leaders in key areas of health innovation, including Advanced Therapies, Diagnostics and Medical Technologies, Health Data and AI, all of which align with Israel’s strengths.

During the week-long visit, they are connecting with innovative Israeli organisations to explore solutions to improve patient care.

Picture caption: L-R Dr Séamus O’Neill, Chief Executive of the NHSA, Neil Wigan, British Ambassador to Israel and Neta Gruber Perry, Europe Desk Director, Israel Innovation Authority