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Three hotly-tipped healthtech startups selected for Pfizer's London hub

The first cohort for pharma giant Pfizer’s inaugural Healthcare Hub London programme have been announced with three hotly-tipped startups set to benefit guidance and advice from Pfizer’s internal and industry experts.

On-demand care provider Cera, prescription app Echo and Give Vision, the developers of a sight improving headset, have all been selected to take part in the American corporation’s 12 month healthtech programme.

The programme itself was set up with the aim of supporting established, innovative startup companies who are applying tech to solve some of the biggest problems in healthcare today, and the final three were chosen following a rigorous selection process and judging day hosted at Pfizer UK’s head office.

Cera, Echo and Give Vision will now work with the healthcare giant over the next 12 months to identify areas where they might benefit from support, with the ultimate aim of integrating their services with the NHS within the year.

Pfizer UK’s Medical Director Dr. Berkeley Phillips said the group was ‘deeply impressed’ by the scale and quality of the UK’s healthtech scene, which made the ultimate decision a difficult choice to make.

He commented: “It was an incredibly tough decision to narrow the shortlist down to a final three, but Echo, Cera and GiveVision stood out with their ability to demonstrate how their technology could deliver real benefits across our health system today.

“We’re excited to be working with them over the next year as part of our wider programme of digital innovation and look forward to seeing the impact of their technology on clinicians and patients.”

The programme marks another step in the rapid ascent of Cera in particular, the London-based healthcare startup which has already raised £2.7m in seed funding.

Founded a little over a year ago by Dr Ben Maruthappu and Marek Sacha, the startup offers an Uber-style carer on-demand service and is currently working on artificial intelligence (AI) tech to help carers predict and plan for potential health issues in those under their care.

Following confirmation that the startup would be participating in Pfizer’s programme, Dr Maruthappu said: “Pfizer’s knowledge of and relationships with the UK healthcare system will be invaluable in helping Cera scale over the year ahead.

“Our aim is to work together to radically improve how homecare is delivered in London and beyond, making it quicker, more reliable, more transparent and of the highest quality.”

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