What NIHR Exeter Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) does

The NIHR Exeter Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is a publicly funded translational research centre established in 2022 and hosted by the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with the University of Exeter. It is one of 20 NIHR-designated BRCs across England and operates across five core research themes: Clinical Mycology and Complex Infections, Diabetes, Genomic Medicine, Brain Health, and Rehabilitation and Virtual Care. The centre's work spans genomic sequencing (exome, whole genome, long-read, and epigenetic methylation profiling), wearable medical devices developed with industry partners (gaitQ for Parkinson's, Milbotix SmartSocks for dementia), digital health platforms (PROTECT study, Brain Health PORTAL, REACTIVE app), and unique research infrastructure including the VSimulators facility for gait and falls research.

The BRC does not operate as a commercial entity and has no disclosed pricing model. Funding flows from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (over £15 million core award 2022-27 as part of a £790 million national programme), supplemented by competitive grants from the European Research Council, UKRI/MRC, DHSC, NIHR follow-on awards, and charitable foundations including the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Its customer base comprises NHS trusts across the South West Peninsula (Royal Devon, Somerset, Cornwall Partnership, Devon Partnership, Royal Cornwall Hospitals, St George's), academic collaborators (Cambridge, King's College London, Oxford, Sheffield, Heidelberg), and industry partners commercialising its research outputs. The centre also operates translational training programmes including PhD studentships, translational fellowships, and senior investigator fellowships.

Name

NIHR Exeter Biomedical Research Centre (BRC)

Legal name

NIHR Exeter Biomedical Research Centre

Website

https://exeterbrc.nihr.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The NIHR Exeter Biomedical Research Centre is a publicly funded translational research centre established in 2022, hosted by Royal Devon NHS Trust and the University of Exeter, conducting research across genomics, brain health, diabetes, mycology, and rehabilitation to translate scientific discoveries into patient treatments across the South West Peninsula.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Translational Biomedical Research

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Biomedical Sciences & Medical Research Institutes (University-Based) (EDAHAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Research Universities with Academic Medical Centers (AMCs) (EDAHAAAC), Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

Keywords

• Translational biomedical research
• Genomic medicine research
• Clinical trial research
• Neurodegeneration research
• Rehabilitation research

Headquarters

HQ city

Exeter

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. NIHR Core Funding: Primary funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to support translational research infrastructure, research projects, and career development across five core themes.
2. Competitive Research Grants: Additional funding secured through competitive grants from UKRI, MRC, European Research Council, Wellcome Trust, Alzheimer's Research UK, and other research funders for specific research projects.
3. Industry Partnership Funding: Collaborative research funding and in-kind support from industry partners including gaitQ Limited, Milbotix, and pharmaceutical companies for joint research initiatives.
4. NIHR Infrastructure Network: Part of the broader NIHR infrastructure receiving £800 million to 20 Biomedical Research Centres (2022-27) across England, with the Exeter BRC receiving over £15 million.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The NIHR Exeter Biomedical Research Centre is a translational biomedical research centre that conducts high-quality scientific research across five core themes (Clinical Mycology and Complex Infections, Diabetes, Genomic Medicine, Brain Health, and Rehabilitation and Virtual Care) to translate scientific discoveries into new treatments, diagnostic tests, and medical technologies. It supports academic and clinical researchers through training programmes (PhD studentships, fellowships), patient and public involvement, and industry collaboration, leveraging facilities such as the VSimulators movement platform and digital platforms including the PROTECT Study and Brain Health PORTAL.

Product overview

NIHR Exeter Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is a translational biomedical research center that operates as a platform structure encompassing five core research themes (Clinical Mycology and Complex Infections, Diabetes, Genomic Medicine, Brain Health, and Rehabilitation and Virtual Care), supported by digital research infrastructure including the PROTECT Study online platform, Brain Health PORTAL for recruitment, and the REACTIVE brain health monitoring app. The center also partners on wearable medical device technologies including SmartSocks and gaitQ devices. The center offers training programs including Translational Fellowships and PhD Studentships. Key research facilities include the VSimulators facility for movement and gait research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PROTECT-UK Study: Online brain health study open to people aged 40 and over, run by University of Exeter and King's College London in partnership with the NHS
• EXPERTS-ALS
• SW² Hub

Products and services

• REACTIVE App A brain health monitoring application providing regular computerized cognitive tests and brain training programmes for older adults, with data accessible to GPs through a portal to identify patients requiring further clinical assessment for early signs of dementia or cognitive impairment.
• Brain Health PORTAL An online digital platform used to recruit, screen and triage participants for brain health and ageing research studies, including clinical trials, biomarker research and cohort studies, linked to the PROTECT-UK Study.
• PROTECT Study An online longitudinal research study platform open to UK adults aged 40 and over, run by the University of Exeter and King's College London in partnership with the NHS, combining annual lifestyle questionnaires with cognitive testing to understand how healthy brains age and why people develop dementia. Over 25,000 participants have signed up over 10 years.
• SmartSocks (Milbotix partnership) AI-powered wearable sock sensors developed by Milbotix in partnership with Exeter BRC researchers that track heart rate, sweat levels and motion to detect agitation, distress and fall risk in people with dementia, evaluated in care home settings including Southern Healthcare and via the UK Dementia Research Institute.
• gaitQ Wearable Device (Parkinson's mobility) A state-of-the-art wearable device featuring two pods affixed to upper calves that send vibrational cues to guide wearers through steps, developed through a £1.4m NIHR-funded partnership between Exeter BRC and gaitQ Limited to address walking challenges and freezing of gait in people with Parkinson's disease.
• VSimulators Facility A research facility located at Exeter Science Park using a moving platform and virtual reality to trigger and monitor falls in a safe and controlled environment, enabling precise measurement of brain, muscular and movement processes during gait instability. It supports research programmes such as STEPPING OUT, testing of gaitQ wearable devices, and broader movement and gait research.
• Single genomic test for rare developmental disorders A single-assay genomic test approach that uses machine learning combining four algorithms to detect large-scale pathogenic copy number variations from exome sequencing data, potentially replacing the current two-step microarray and exome sequencing approach for diagnosing rare developmental disorders.
• Long-read transcript sequencing for Alzheimer's research Advanced long-read genetic sequencing capability used to identify differential isoform expression in Alzheimer's disease tau research, reading greater and more complex sequences of genetic material to advance understanding of neurodegenerative mechanisms.
• Translational Fellowships programme Fellowship programme designed to support early to mid-career scientists to become independent researchers, working with NHS Trusts and commercial partners to maximise benefits of scientific discoveries to patients.
• PhD Studentships programme Doctoral training programme supporting students to carry out research projects across the five core research themes under expert academic supervision.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 60,000 studies supported and 55,000 research papers published over nine years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability11 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

44 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost organization for the NIHR Exeter BRC. Provides NHS clinical infrastructure, research facilities including RILD Building, and clinical research capabilities. CEO Sam Higginson co-chairs the Joint Strategic Partnership Board.
• University of ExetercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary academic partner providing research expertise across five themes, training infrastructure, and research talent. President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Lisa Roberts co-chairs the Joint Strategic Partnership Board.
• Somerset NHS Foundation TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS trust partner providing additional clinical research capacity and patient access across the South West region.
• Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS trust partner expanding research reach into Cornwall for patient involvement and clinical research.
• Devon Partnership NHS Foundation TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health research partnership extending BRC research into psychiatric and psychological interventions.
• Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS trust partner providing additional clinical research infrastructure and patient population access in Cornwall.
• St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLondon-based NHS trust partner extending BRC research reach beyond the South West region.
• Exeter Clinical Research Facility (CRF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIHR CRF based at RILD Building providing dedicated clinical research wards, consulting rooms, sample-handling laboratories, and specialist equipment for exercise, physiology and metabolism research.
• South West HealthTech Research Centre (HRC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew NIHR-funded centre opening April 2024 focusing on medical devices, diagnostics and digital health technologies. Partnership between Royal Devon and University of Exeter.
• Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula (PenARC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIHR applied research collaboration supporting applied health and care research across the South West Peninsula.
• Clinical Research Network South West PeninsulamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIHR network providing infrastructure and support for clinical research delivery across the region.
• Bristol BRCmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloping closer working relationships as part of a hub with Bristol and Southampton BRCs in the South West region.
• Southampton BRCmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRC hub collaboration with Bristol and Exeter BRCs for regional coordination and knowledge sharing.
• gaitQ LimitedmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpinout from University of Oxford developing wearable devices for gait disorders. Partnership on £1.4m NIHR-funded project for Parkinson's wearable technology using VSimulators facility.
• MilbotixmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCare technology start-up developing SmartSocks with sensors and AI for dementia care. Exeter BRC evaluating pilot study in Southern Healthcare care homes.
• Southern HealthcareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCare home network across Southwest England trialing SmartSocks technology for dementia patients.
• UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) Care Research & Technology CentremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerImperial College London centre developing smart home technology. Separate study testing SmartSocks in living lab and home environments for dementia care.
• UK MND Research InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational institute bringing together MND research centres. Exeter is one of 11 MND centres involved in EXPERTS-ALS programme screening potential drugs.
• University of OxfordmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead institution for EXPERTS-ALS programme with Professor Martin Turner as co-lead.
• University of SheffieldmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-lead of EXPERTS-ALS programme with Professor Chris McDermott as co-director of UK MND RI.
• Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of the EXPERTS-ALS programme for MND drug screening.
• GW4 Alliance (Cardiff, Bath, Bristol, Exeter)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance of four universities delivering SW² Hub for severe mental illness research. £4.3m UKRI/MRC funding.
• University of HeidelbergminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration with Professor Clemens Becker on STEPPING OUT project.
• Wellcome Sanger InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey collaborator on genomic medicine research including Deciphering Developmental Disorders study and single genomic test development.
• University of CambridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator on rare disease genetics research including DDD study with Professor Helen Firth and Professor Matthew Hurles.
• UK BiobankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leading landmark £16m epigenetics study using UK Biobank samples from 500,000 volunteers.
• IlluminamajorTechnology or IntegrationBiotechnology company providing technology for epigenetic variation characterization in UK Biobank study.
• NHS Genomic Medicine ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS service implementing similar rare disease diagnosis approaches developed through DDD study.
• Quaid-i-Azam University IslamabadmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPakistani university collaboration on neurodevelopmental disorder genetics research with Professor Sabika Firasat.
• Khyber Medical University PakistanmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Pakistani rare brain disorder research with Professor Muhammad Tahir Sarwar and Professor Noor Badshah.
• University of PlymouthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Dr Lucy McGavin on Pakistani neurodevelopmental disorder research.
• NIHR Mental Health Translational Research CollaborationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational mental health research collaboration with Exeter Mood Disorders Centre as a centre of excellence.
• University of OxfordmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead university for Mental Health Mission mood disorder workstream with Exeter as a partner centre.
• Newcastle UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Mental Health Mission collaboration on mood disorder research.
• NHS Devon Integrated Care BoardmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS body partnering with Mood Disorders Centre for mental health treatment services.
• Devon Mental Health AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance supporting mental health research and service innovation in Devon.
• Patient Recruitment Centre: ExetermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIHR-funded centre supporting recruitment into clinical studies and trials.
• Exeter Policy Research CentremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIHR-funded unit specializing in dementia and neurodegeneration policy research (beginning Jan 2024).
• School for Primary Care ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIHR school with Exeter Collaboration for Academic Primary Care (APEx) involvement.
• School for Public Health ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIHR school supporting public health research collaboration.
• Health Innovation South WestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS-affiliated innovation body supporting health technology development.
• King's College LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing research partner in PROTECT study and other neurodegeneration research collaborations.
• NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration partner on PROTECT study and COVID-19 cognitive decline research.
• Genomics EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead of Enhanced Interpretation Genomics England Clinical Interpretation Partnership (GeCIP); previously seconded as scientific lead for validation and feedback on UK 100,000 Genomes Project.

Scale indicators21 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Francis Crick Institute: Largest UK biomedical research institute, broad research portfolio across multiple disease areas. While not a direct NIHR BRC peer, comparable as a UK biomedical research entity competing for top PIs, MRC/Wellcome funding, and translational research outputs. Larger scale and broader scope, but shares translational research mission and operates within the same UK research ecosystem.

Direct peers

• NIHR UCLH Biomedical Research Centre: Co-equal NIHR BRC at University College London Hospitals, one of the largest and most research-active BRCs in the network. Direct peer in translational research, digital health, and rare disease research; competes with Exeter for top-tier PIs and industry partnership allocations.
• NIHR King's College London Biomedical Research Centre: Co-equal NIHR BRC at King's College Hospital and King's College London. Active collaborator with Exeter BRC on PROTECT study (joint 25,000+ participant brain health cohort), COVID-19 cognitive decline research, and PROTECT-UK Study. Direct peer in mental health and brain health translational research.
• NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre: Co-equal NIHR Biomedical Research Centre funded from the same 2022-27 £790M programme, hosted by Oxford University Hospitals and University of Oxford. Same NIHR infrastructure, same translational research mission across multiple themes, same funding model and reporting structure. Direct peer for talent, grant, and industry partnership competition.
• NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre: Co-equal NIHR BRC at Cambridge University Hospitals and University of Cambridge, particularly relevant peer given both centres' heavy focus on genomic medicine. Active collaborator with Exeter on DDD study (Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge). Direct peer in translational research infrastructure.
• UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI): National dementia research institute with seven centres across UK universities including Exeter (where Prof Clive Ballard is Brain Health Theme Lead). Direct peer and active collaborator on dementia research; shared PIs (e.g., Jon Mill), shared funding from UK government, and overlapping research themes in neurodegeneration.
• NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre: Co-equal NIHR BRC at Imperial College London, with comparable portfolio across multiple research themes. Collaboration partner on UK Dementia Research Institute (Care Research & Technology Centre) testing SmartSocks technology developed with Exeter BRC. Direct peer in translational research and training infrastructure.
• NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre: Co-equal NIHR BRC at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust with similar multi-theme translational research portfolio (genomics, mental health, respiratory, hearing health). Direct peer for competitive grant funding, talent recruitment, and industry partnership opportunities within the NIHR 20-BRC network.

Regional players

• NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre: Regional NIHR BRC partner within the South West hub alongside Exeter and Southampton BRCs. Operates in overlapping geography with shared regional infrastructure (NIHR South West Peninsula). Regional peer for talent and patient cohort access in overlapping catchment areas.
• NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre: Regional NIHR BRC partner within the South West hub alongside Exeter and Bristol BRCs. Regional peer for translational research infrastructure, talent competition, and patient cohort access in overlapping South of England geographies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ExeterBRC
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCiPnfI2UwO0Zi7wMrTe3p6A
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nihr-exeter-brc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about NIHR Exeter Biomedical Research Centre (BRC)