Leeds Medical School to Transform into a Globally Renowned Health Technology Innovation Center
In the heart of Leeds, the Old Medical School is being redeveloped into a cutting-edge Health Tech Innovation Hub, as part of the Leeds Innovation Village project. This flagship development is set to generate an estimated £13 billion in economic growth and create around 4,000 jobs [1].
The Hub will be located in a Grade II*-listed building, and will serve as a collaborative environment to drive health technology innovation. It aims to accelerate the translation of early-phase applied research into clinical care improvements, thereby benefiting patient outcomes and supporting the regional health tech ecosystem [1].
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust plays a critical role as a key host and partner in this project. The Trust, with its clinical expertise and infrastructure, collaborates closely with academic institutions such as the Universities of Leeds and York via the NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre [1]. This partnership focuses on driving innovation in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of illness, facilitating breakthrough experimental medical research, and engaging patients and the public in research processes [1].
The Hub will include co-working spaces, meeting rooms, event areas, offices, and laboratories. It will also provide a platform for start-ups to look to international markets due to the growth and opportunities in the NHS [1].
The project is one of the flagship projects in the West Yorkshire Investment Zone. It is expected that construction on the Old Medical School will start later this year. Despite delays to the new hospital development, plans for the Innovation Village will proceed [1].
The Hub will be a catalyst for collaboration to advance scientific research into practical healthcare solutions. It will also mark a global tech revolution in healthcare, as the MHRA has launched a new digital hub [1]. This digital hub is expected to accelerate the next generation of medical breakthroughs.
Leaders from Leeds City Council, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust have reaffirmed their commitment to innovation and growth across the city, with a start date for the new hospital development between 2033 and 2035 [1].
Baxter International, another member, believes the innovation hub will enable them to engage and connect with clinicians dedicated to improving patient care, helping shape workflows and develop solutions that support NHS transformation [1]. MediShout, a member of the Innovation Pop-Up, sees the Innovation Hub as an opportunity to collaborate with forward-thinking partners, access new resources, and develop solutions for real-world healthcare challenges [1].
Professor Phil Wood, Chief Executive at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, supports the project. The Trust has submitted a reserved matters planning application to Leeds City Council for the new hospital development at Leeds General Infirmary, with a design team led by Perkins&Will and SHL [1].
The Innovation Village is a key neighbourhood within the city's £2 billion Leeds Innovation Arc and one of the flagship projects of the £160 million West Yorkshire Investment Zone [1]. This dynamic vision aims to power Yorkshire’s health tech ecosystem, enhancing both patient outcomes and regional economic development.
Sources: [1] Scarborough Group International (SGI) press release, 2023. [2] UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) press release, 2025.
- The Old Medical School redevelopment in Leeds will foster innovation in digital health, medical devices, and health tech, creating an environment to improve patient care and regional health tech growth.
- The Health Tech Innovation Hub, a collaborative space housing laboratories and offices, aims to bridge the gap between early-phase research and clinical application for various medical-conditions.
- With a focus on scientific research and health-and-wellness, the Hub will serve as a global catalyst for developing practical healthcare solutions, aiding in the environmental-science and climate-change initiatives while supporting cutting-edge medical research.
- The Hub projects to provide a platform for start-ups to expand their reach to international markets, capitalizing on opportunities in the NHS and digital health sector.
- The Leeds Innovation Village, a key aspect of the city's Leeds Innovation Arc, targets to boost economic growth, bringing in £13 billion and generating around 4,000 jobs, while empowering the health tech ecosystem and improving regional development.
