The Future Health Mission 2011 (8-14 January) will provide the entrepreneurs behind these ground-breaking companies with the chance to introduce their technologies to the US sector and help keep Britain at the forefront of healthcare technology development. Previous Missions, focused on pioneering UK environmental and web-based technologies, have lead to over £100million of investment and it is hoped that the Future Health Mission will have an equally significant impact in a fast-growing field.

Technologies being showcased at the San Francisco event range from thermal fertility monitors set to rival IVF to self-monitoring electronic band-aids and pioneering therapeutic stem cells to treat stroke, as well as numerous others. Many are already having huge impacts on social issues within the UK, from cancer screening to geriatric care.

Kevin Wilson, UKTI Sector Specialist, Healthcare and Medical Technology, commented:
"The Future Health Mission is a huge opportunity to highlight just some of the fantastic developments in the UK healthcare sector. These technologies have the potential to change millions of lives and broadening them out to an international market will bring enormous benefits."

With the international growth of UK business more crucial than ever before, the Future Health Mission is a major opportunity for the entrepreneurs behind these growing companies to collectively meet the international media, potential investors and partners and influential peers. They will engage with experts on the financial and public policy agendas relevant to healthcare technology businesses operating in the US and work towards establishing productive relationships within the US market.

The mission is delivered and supported by the Technology Strategy Board, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), Polecat, Silicon Valley Bank, McKinsey, Microsoft and Pillsbury.

Iain Gray, Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board, added :
"Each of these companies is a pioneer and we are working with them because we want to see these businesses find their place in what is already a fast-growing international market. We are pleased to be working alongside UKTI and other partners to support these growing businesses."

Matthew Durdy, CEO of Aqix Ltd, whose company has developed a unique synthetic human interstitial fluid with the potential to increase the transport life of donated organs, agreed:
"The Future Health Mission is a fantastic opportunity for Aqix to showcase our pioneering health technology in the US as well as exchange knowledge, expertise and contacts with our American counterparts. Over the past five years Aqix has grown into a thriving UK business and we're now looking forward to demonstrating our potential for commercial success on a global scale."