Oxford University Venture Capital Network: Insights into Digital Health Report

Exec Summary:

Nelson Advisors partner Lloyd Price co-authored the Oxford University Venture Capital Network: Insights into Digital Health Report with Ava Chan - DPhil candidate in Biology, Ellena O’Keeffe -  MSc in Applied Cancer Science, Sili (Bobby) Qiu - DPhil candidate in Organic Chemistry, Adriana Mordente - DPhil candidate in Biology, Aneshka Moudry - MChem Chemistry.

About Oxford University Venture Capital Network (OXVC)

The Oxford University Venture Capital Network (OXVC) is a network of start-up founders, investors, and entrepreneurial Oxford students, supported by Oxford Science Enterprises and Presidio Ventures.

For many students and founders, venture capital is a mysterious, complex, and inaccessible industry. We’re here to demystify it.

VCs shape the future of the world through their investments, changing how we socialise, bank, travel, access healthcare, and beyond. However, VC is one of the least diverse industries. Women constitute only 30% of VC personnel in the UK and ethnic diversity is low. We want to change that.

We take raw student talent, ambition, and vision and work directly with VC funds to provide a grounding in the theoretical and practical aspects of funding innovative ideas through to profitable outcomes. We nurture future innovators.

Insights into Digital Health Report

Below is an executive summary of the Oxford University Venture Capital Network: Insights into Digital Health Report, the full report will be published in due course.

Digital Health definition

We define Digital Health as the development and use of digital technologies making their way into products and companies for the first time to improve health outcomes.

Market, Innovation & Funding Landscape

• The largest market for digital health is in North America, whereas the fastest growing market is in the Asia-Pacific region. 

• The biggest innovation hotspots constitute London, followed by Oxford, Cambridge and Southampton.

Technology and Segment Deep Dives

We provide in-depth market analysis into the digital health industry segmented into Data Collection & IT, Diagnostics, Disease management and Digital therapeutics. 

Data Collection and IT

• As healthcare systems shift towards outcomes-based models, the demand for integrated data platforms that support personalised patient care, real-time data analytics, and efficient healthcare delivery is surging. 

• New entrants in this space should focus on developing innovative, scalable health tech solutions that align with Value-Based Care principles, ensuring regulatory compliance and addressing unmet needs in patient care and data management. 

• Market strategies should emphasize collaborating with existing healthcare players, demonstrate clear clinical and cost-efficiency outcomes and ensure seamless integration with existing healthcare systems.

• B2B segment to dominate the market due to increasing strategic collaborations and the building of verticals.

Diagnostics (Point of Care Technology)

• The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and an ageing population underscore the importance of Point of Care Technology (POCT) implementation into primary care clinics.

• Molecular diagnostics technology is the fastest-growing segment within POCT.

• POCT is a competitive market and could potentially limit product innovation and market expansion. 

• The primary users and beneficiaries of POCT over the next five years will be doctors in hospitals and clinics, who demand a high volume of devices and consumables.

Disease Management

The CKD management market is large and growing, driven by technological innovation and increasing demand for advanced treatments.

• Regulatory approval in key markets like the US and UK is crucial for the adoption of new technologies.

• The field faces challenges such as treatment costs, access to care, and the complexity of disease management.

• Startups and investors active in this space have significant opportunities for innovation and growth, with the potential for lucrative exits through acquisitions or IPOs.

• This landscape scan provides a foundational understanding of the venture capital dynamics in the CKD management sector, highlighting the opportunities for innovation and investment in this critical area of healthcare.

Digital Therapeutics (DTx)

• DTx has great potential, and it has a growing market. At the same time, the market is getting crowded and has a few regulatory hurdles. 

• DTx can extend care to a wider group of people compared to traditional medicine. 

• The main challenges include the lack of regulatory and cybersecurity infrastructure for this emerging field, and limited clinical adoption due to lack of awareness or education. 

• Reimbursement model hinders DTx clinical translation as patients become hesitant to try out advanced technologies. 

• DTx startups' go-to-market strategies need to address a broad range of stakeholders in the DTx ecosystem to gain successful market entry, and clinical adoption can be improved through digital health education. 

• It is foreseeable that DTx will be integrated into emerging technologies such as smart implants and have greater emphasis on preventive care .

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