Medical device manufacturer Frontier Medical Group is opening a new innovation hub at Cardiff Medicentre.

The innovation hub is part of a strategic move by the group to improve access to academia, healthcare professionals and engineering talent.

Cardiff Medicentre is a joint venture between Cardiff University and Cardiff & Vale University Health Board.

The hub, set in the grounds of the University Hospital of Wales, provides 32 units of laboratory and office space for biotech and medtech businesses to advance healthcare and life sciences.

Simon Bosley, technical director of Tredegar-based Frontier Medical Group, said: “Launching a centre for Innovation is a major step in helping to achieve Frontiers long term strategic goals of launching new solutions that can help healthcare workers and patients globally. Being a truly innovative and cutting-edge organisation relies on us having the correct resources, knowledge and facilities.”

It is the first time that Frontier Medical Group has opened a satellite facility and it is hoped to be operational later this year.

The Innovation Hub will become a centre for research, prototyping new products as well as centre for networking and relationship building.

Rhys Pearce-Palmer, innovation manager at Cardiff Medicentre, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome Frontier to our Medicentre community. Simon and the team have grown an impressive business. Their talent and drive to innovate will bring even greater success, and we’re looking forward to supporting them in this next phase.”