Governor Phil Murphy and ABHI Announce UK HealthTech Trade Delegation to New Jersey in 2025, Strengthening Bilateral Innovation Partnerships
November 08, 2024
London, UK—Today, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy participated in a roundtable discussion with the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) and its member companies as part of the Choose New Jersey governor-led economic mission to the United Kingdom. The visit aimed to strengthen New Jersey’s ties with British partners, with a focus on advancing collaboration in the life sciences and HealthTech sectors, key industries for both economies. The participation in the roundtable discussion builds on a successful September visit to New Jersey by a cohort from ABHI.
During the roundtable, Governor Murphy engaged with UK HealthTech companies and clinical leaders to explore synergies and growth opportunities within this high-potential sector. ABHI, the UK’s leading HealthTech trade organization, was instrumental in these discussions through its U.S. Accelerator program, which supports UK HealthTech companies entering and scaling in the U.S. market.
“New Jersey is committed to fostering global partnerships that drive innovation and economic growth,” said Governor Murphy. “Collaborating with ABHI and UK HealthTech leaders presents a unique opportunity to strengthen our state’s leadership in Life Sciences and HealthTech. Together, we’re building a transatlantic pipeline of talent, technology, and ideas that will fuel advancements in healthcare and benefit communities on both sides of the Atlantic.”
The September cohort’s visit to New Jersey laid a strong foundation for this partnership, with engagements across New Jersey’s leading healthcare and research institutions, including Liberty Science Center’s SciTech Scity, Hackensack Meridian Health, Rutgers University, and Rowan University. These meetings, alongside discussions with leaders from New Jersey’s life sciences, healthcare, and academic sectors, helped shape a plan for ABHI to lead an economic delegation visit to New Jersey in April 2025. This milestone highlights the growing collaboration between the UK and New Jersey, creating a vital platform for HealthTech companies to forge partnerships that drive innovation, economic growth, and advancements in healthcare for both regions.
“The collaboration between the UK and New Jersey is only beginning,” said Paul Benton, Managing Director, International at ABHI. “With our U.S. Accelerator planning a delegation to New Jersey in 2025, this is a fantastic opportunity for UK business leaders to foster closer working relationships that benefit the health and wealth of those in both markets.”
The UK roundtable included prominent clinical leaders from across London, such as UCL Partners, Imperial College London, Barts Health NHS Trust, and the Howard de Walden Estate, which manages the Harley Street Health District.
Mark Kildea, Chief Executive of The Howard de Walden Estate, noted that “London has amazing healthcare capabilities and it is important that key stakeholders examine how they can improve patient care and outcomes. Investment, trade, and the sharing of best practices are critical in this regard, and so it is with great pleasure that we collaborate with our friends in New Jersey to improve healthcare for all parties.”
New Jersey’s life sciences sector is a major economic driver, employing over 105,000 people across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical device manufacturing as of 2020. New Jersey is home to approximately 4,300 life sciences establishments and a total of 113 hospitals, including specialty hospitals. Among these, there are 72 acute care hospitals.
“New Jersey’s partnership with ABHI is a testament to our commitment to driving innovation and expanding our life sciences sector,” said Wes Mathews, President & CEO of Choose New Jersey. “With each engagement, from the September cohort’s visit to today’s roundtable, we’re strengthening New Jersey’s ties with UK HealthTech leaders and creating new avenues for collaboration. We look forward to welcoming ABHI’s trade delegation to New Jersey in 2025 and building on this momentum to bring new opportunities and advancements to both markets.”
Reporters interested in more information on the New Jersey United Kingdom economic mission may contact Mahen Gunaratna (mahen.gunaratna@nj.gov) and Ingrid Austin (iaustin@choosenj.com), or visit choosenj.com/UKMission for additional details.
To view this press release from the Governor’s Office, click here.
About the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI)
ABHI is the UK’s leading industry association for health technology (HealthTech). ABHI supports the HealthTech community to save and enhance lives. Members, including both multinationals and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), supply products from syringes and wound dressings to surgical robots, diagnostics, and digitally enhanced technologies. We represent the industry to stakeholders, such as the government, NHS, and regulators. HealthTech plays a key role in supporting delivery of healthcare and is a significant contributor to the UK’s economic growth. HealthTech is the largest employer in the broader Life Sciences sector, employing 154,000 people in 4,465 companies, with a combined turnover of £34.3bn. The industry has enjoyed growth of around 5% in recent years. ABHI’s 400 members account for approximately 80% of the sector by value.
About Choose New Jersey, Inc.
Choose New Jersey is the State’s leading non-profit business attraction organization. We harness the collective power of New Jersey’s business, government, labor, and academic sectors to expand New Jersey’s economy. We work globally, using our marketing expertise, concierge business development services, deep knowledge of the State, and convening power, in collaboration with State government, to empower businesses, entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators to make New Jersey their home. To learn more, visit choosenj.com.