Background
TBI is a leading cause of death and disability, costs the UK economy over £10 billion, and the global economy over $500 billion, annually. Outcomes from TBI are poor – even with “mild” TBI, 30% of patients show incomplete recovery at six months post-injury. The scope for improvement (and potential market opportunity) is substantial. While many past trials have failed, the substantial new knowledge provides a timely opportunity to address this issue. In response, UK research funders have invested in two complementary initiatives that aim to reduce development risk for companies, accelerate clinical evaluation, and generate the evidence needed for investment, regulatory progression and NHS adoption:
The UK-TBI REpository and data PORTal Enabling discoveRy (TBI-REPORTER; https://tbi-reporter.uk/) is a multi-funder (UKRI, NIHR, MoD, ARUK) platform supporting clinical research and early-stage therapeutic development in TBI. It brings together a Data Hub, National Biomarker Resource, Experimental Medicine Network and Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) programme to enable research-ready studies, biomarker-driven trials and collaborations between academia and industry.
The NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Brain Injury (NIHR HRC; https://hrc-braininjury.nihr.ac.uk/) supports the development, evaluation and implementation of innovative technologies across the brain injury pathway, from prevention and acute care to rehabilitation and lifelong support. Working with industry, clinicians and researchers, the Centre helps translate promising technologies into NHS practice.
TBI-REPORTER/NIHR HRC Industry Workshop: De-risking drug and technology innovation in TBI
TBI-REPORTER and the NIHR HRC have had success setting up important studies – both publicly and industry funded – exploring new diagnostics, Phase 1b/2a trials, and novel assistive technology. Building on these achievements, we are holding a joint workshop for industry partners in the pharmaceutical, diagnostic, imaging, and technology sectors. This workshop is intended to establish an ongoing community bringing together academia, industry, clinicians, funders and people with lived experience to accelerate innovation in traumatic brain injury.
We welcome organisations developing therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, digital health, imaging and AI-enabled technologies, whether already active in TBI or exploring opportunities within neuroscience. The workshop will provide opportunities to identify partners, discuss unmet clinical needs, explore collaborative research and funding opportunities, and shape future priorities for TBI innovation. Patient and public perspectives will be embedded throughout the discussions to help ensure that future innovations address the needs of people living with brain injury.
The one-day Industry Workshop will be held in London on the 13th of November 2026 at the Wellcome Collection Venue in London (NW1 2BE) and aim to address the following issues:
- Clinical unmet needs and commercial opportunities in TBI
- How TBI-REPORTER can de-risk therapeutic and technology development
- Accelerating discovery and development through repurposing existing assets
- Panel discussions to identify barriers, opportunities and future collaborations
- Policy support, knowledge environments, & research frameworks for TBI therapy development in the UK
- Potential funding opportunities for collaborative studies
Why attend?
The workshop will provide opportunities to:
- Meet the UK’s leading TBI clinical researchers and translational scientists
- Explore opportunities for collaborative research and co-development
- Learn how TBI-REPORTER and the NIHR HRC can de-risk development programmes
- Understand available infrastructure for clinical trials, biomarker validation and technology evaluation
- Discuss unmet clinical needs directly with clinicians and researchers
- Network with funders, policy makers and commercial partners
- Shape future priorities for TBI innovation in the UK
Who should/have been invited to attend
- Representatives from pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, diagnostics, imaging, AI, digital health and rehabilitation technology companies.
- Funders and policy bodies: Medical Research Council, National Institute for Health & Care Research, Wellcome Trust, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Ministry of Defence UK, Medicines Discovery Catapult
- Investigators from the TBI-REPORTER and NIHR HRC and the wider neurotrauma research community
Location and timing:
- The meeting on 13th November 2026 will be held at the Wellcome Collection Venue in London (NW1 2BE), within easy reach of London mainline stations.
- Registration will open at 09:00, the program will start at 10:00, and we expect to finish by 17:30
- A provisional agenda will be made available on the website closer to the meeting