Driving innovation in wound management with Smith & Nephew

The University of Hull has embarked on a long term collaboration with global medical technology giant Smith & Nephew to develop pioneering new approaches to advanced wound care.

The partnership creates one of the world’s largest wound care research clusters, combining world-leading academia and industry with the aim of developing scientific insights and innovative treatments.

The £3 million, five year programme will capitalise on the University’s superb new £28 million Health Campus and Smith & Nephew’s new state-of-the-art Research & Development (R&D) centre in Hull.

Smith & Nephew aims to make its new centre a dedicated centre of excellence for wound management and linked up with the University for access to a regular talent pipeline.

Currently, graduates of the University of Hull make up around 25% of staff within wound research and development at Smith & Nephew in Hull. 

In recognition of the pivotal role that the University plays in the success and long-term sustainability of their R&D centre, Smith & Nephew committed to increasing the number of places offered to graduates each year.

Eight PhD studentships have been created across a range of disciplines as part of the collaboration, combining the brightest minds with the finest R&D facilities to drive innovation in wound care.

Stewart McKinlay, Vice President of Research & Innovation at Smith & Nephew, said: “Often collaborations with academia are collaborations for collaborations’ sake. But this partnership is the most exciting thing I’m aware of in the sphere of wound management.

“The goal between us is not to just stop at these PhDs, but create a rolling programme aimed at changing wound care management across the world, and as a consequence, change individuals’ lives. 

“I am not aware of any group anywhere that is doing this as well as the University of Hull is.”

Dr David Richards, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at the University of Hull, said: “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.”