The One Health Enterprise Network
The One Health Enterprise Network (OHEN) is a multi-stakeholder initiative designed to accelerate the development and deployment of responsible innovations that address complex challenges at the intersection of public, animal, plant, and environmental health.
Guided by the One Health approach, which recognises the interconnectedness of health across species and ecosystems, the Network fosters collaboration between academia, industry, government, and civil society. Its mission is to enable effective partnerships that translate cutting-edge research into practical, sustainable solutions for global health threats.
Operating primarily across the South West and Wessex regions of the UK, with the county of Dorset as its nucleus, the Network champions responsible research and innovation (RRI) as a foundational principle. It seeks to integrate ethics, transparency, public engagement, and responsiveness into the innovation process—ensuring that emerging technologies align with societal values and do not generate new harms.
The OHEN goal is to create the conditions for translational research, ethical deployment, and real-world innovation that responds to today’s complex health and environmental challenges.
OHEN is supported by Business Growth Dorset and provides strategic co-ordination, convening partners from academia, industry, landowners and government.
Supporting TESTBED, Dorset
Through OHEN’s activity supporting TESTBED Dorset, it actively promotes ecosystem-based thinking and evidence-based action, working with landowners to increase responsible research innovation in the county for the benefit of Dorset, the wider region and the UK.
The Network’s programme of work supports the development of new technologies, products, and services that contribute to One Health goals.
These aims include improving antimicrobial stewardship, reducing zoonotic disease risk, and responding to vector-borne disease pressures intensified by climate change.
At the same time, it facilitates cross-sector dialogue that shapes innovation pathway – from regulatory insight and clinical validation to commercialisation and procurement.
OHEN’s focus aligns with the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy launched in 2025, and in particular with the Life Sciences pillar, which recognises the importance of ecosystem resilience, cross-sector innovation, and place-based leadership in driving sustainable economic growth.
Where diverse disciplines and sectors unite
A key strength of OHEN lies in its ability to unite partners from diverse disciplines and sectors. This includes small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), research institutions, public health bodies, public health agencies, local authorities, and community stakeholders. By mapping innovation capabilities and health risks across the region, the Network identifies priority areas for action and enables a strategic response to emerging challenges.
The Network is guided by the OHEN Steering Group, which plays a strategic advisory and convening role. Its members include Business Growth Dorset, Synergy Farm Health Vets, Efeca, Bournemouth University, University of Bristol, University of Southampton, Defra, Innovate UK, the Department for Business and Trade, and the National Biofilms Innovation Centre. This diverse membership ensures that the Network is informed by wide-ranging expertise – from agri-science and veterinary practice to public health, commercialisation, and Government policy – helping shape a dynamic and inclusive innovation ecosystem.
By mapping innovation One Health capabilities across the region, the network identifies priority areas for action and enables a strategic response to emerging challenges.
OHEN stands as a catalyst for sustainable, systems-based innovation that strengthens public and planetary health through collaboration, integrity, and shared purpose.
