Online networking and collaboration network Among Doctors has launched in the UK and Spain.

The Athens-based online physician community is supported by the Microsoft Innovation Center and aims to connect doctors with colleagues across the globe.

Now officially launched, the Greek company says it started signing up UK doctors in January and says more than 10% of its users currently come from Britain.

Among Doctors' difference from many of the online physician communities currently online is that it intends to remain independent from the pharmaceutical industry.

No part of the site will be sponsored, or observed by sponsors, the company notes, adding “no students, pharma, nurses or patients are allowed on the platform”. However, for doctors, access to the site is free.

Among Doctors has been live in public beta since November 2015 and already counts its first hundreds of doctors from over 38 countries, mostly in Europe, and 42 medical specialties.

The firm is funded with seed capital by angel investors. In April 2014, Among Doctors was awarded the 3rd prize at the Investors Pitch Showcase Contest by MIT Enterprise Forum of Greece.

Elena Barla, co-founder and CEO, said: “Doctors are increasingly interested in using social media for professional purposes, in order to network, share knowledge and get in touch with the international medical community.

“Knowledge should be shared across countries and economies, especially when it comes to saving lives. Among Doctors provides a global exclusive network of reliable, well-screened and quality profile licensed physicians, helping them exchange views and advice, as well as build their global referral base and network in a reliable and meaningful way.”

The online physician market has is becoming increasingly busy of late. In the last year Merck & Co reorganised its Univadis healthcare professional communities, Sermo continued its European expansion, Medscape opened doors on its first London office and new mobile-first community MedShr launched.

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