Haemair won ‘The Partnership with the NHS Award’ at the second MediWales Annual Innovation Awards dinner in Cardiff at the end of last year. The event celebrates the achievements of the life science sector in Wales.

Swansea University has been working closely with Haemair. Its unique collaboration between Chemical Engineering and Medicine has made it a world-leader in understanding Blood Rheology and clotting. This expertise is essential for any device that contacts directly with the blood flow. The third key partner in the project is the Haemorheology Laboratory in Morriston Hospital which is jointly supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the National Health Service.

Dr Steve Brown, the project’s senior engineer, said: "The article, which is entitled Breathe Easy, is an overview of the progress of the project and details some of the challenges it faces. It is gratifying to see our achievements presented to a wide audience."

The medical and life sciences sectors in Wales have a remarkably diverse and active profile. More than 290 companies – manufacturers, service providers, contract research centres, business support organisations – work alongside clinical and life science academic institutions of international standing. Combined the companies are worth an estimated £1.3bn to the economy and employ about 15,000 people.

MediWales represents the interests of this sector through its delivery of events and publications and by providing a voice for the sector. MediWales had 97 members representing leading Industrial and academic organizations and receives support from the Welsh Assembly Government.

Dr Brown has bachelor and doctoral degrees in Biochemical Engineering from Swansea University. He is a professional member of the British Society of Rheology and of The Institute of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics.

The article Breathe Easy can be accessed at http://www.mediwales.com/resource/MWR_Winter2008.pdf.