Countless lives could be saved thanks to multi-million pound Government investment in the development of groundbreaking medical devices.
As part of a £10 million funding package to improve access to health technology, eight innovative technology companies will be helped to bring devices to market that could help transform the way some of the biggest causes of death and disability in the UK are treated.
HistoSonics’ device aims to identify and destroy liver cancer tumors using focused ultrasound. These waves destroy tumors without harming healthy tissue, providing a safer alternative to radiation therapy and other high-intensity treatments. This improves the quality of life for many patients undergoing treatment, reducing the number of hospital visits, post-treatment complications and making pain management easier.
“Today’s announcement is part of the Government’s long-term plan to give the NHS and its patients faster access to groundbreaking new technologies. It follows the publication last year of a ground-breaking blueprint to boost health technology in the NHS and turn innovation into real benefit for society.
Health Minister Andrew Stevenson said:
NHS staff need access to the latest technology to deliver the highest quality care to patients and reduce waiting lists – this is one of our top five priorities.
These cutting-edge technologies could help thousands of patients with a range of conditions, including cancer, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease, while reducing the strain on hospitals and reducing healthcare disparities.
Our investment in these pioneering companies is part of our long-term plan for a faster, simpler and fairer healthcare system and demonstrates our clear commitment to ensuring the UK remains the world’s most innovative economy.
One company is developing a blood test for Alzheimer’s that could identify and treat patients earlier: Roche Diagnostics has developed an amyloid plasma panel, a blood test that can help clinicians decide whether patients with cognitive impairment should undergo testing or imaging to confirm Alzheimer’s.
Upfront Diagnostics’ portable blood test could help paramedics more quickly identify stroke patients. Currently, paramedics cannot recognize patients with blood clots blocking the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain who require emergency treatment at a stroke center rather than a local hospital.
A blood test could identify these cases immediately so patients can be transported to a comprehensive stroke center and receive immediate, critical care, potentially sparing thousands of patients long-term disabilities and associated medical costs and reducing the strain on emergency departments across the country.
Dr Mark Bailey, Chief Science and Innovation Officer at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, said:
We are thrilled to announce the eight technologies that have been finalised for our new IDAP pilot scheme, which aims to explore how support from regulators, UK medical technology organisations and NHS bodies can accelerate the development of innovative medical devices, from initial proof of concept to deployment in the NHS.
This pilot standard prioritizes patient needs in all aspects of decision-making and supports innovative medical technologies, reducing pressure on the healthcare system and, most importantly, having the potential to change the lives of many patients.
We are committed to being the regulator that establishes the UK as a hub for healthcare innovation and look forward to working with the wider health system to make this a reality.
The funding is part of an innovative new programme called the Innovative Devices Access Pathway (IDAP), which aims to bring cutting edge technology and solutions to the frontline of the NHS. Currently in the pilot phase, the funding will be used to test new technologies so they can be used at scale as quickly as possible.
The government is investing £10 million in the pilot as part of wider efforts to accelerate access to health technologies. The programme is being run by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), NHS England, Health Technology Wales and the Scottish Health Technology Group. These agencies provide bespoke and focused advice on regulatory approval, health technology assessment and NHS access.
Janet Kusel, Director of NICE Advice, said:
NICE’s goal is to drive innovation within health and care professionals and deliver best practice in health and care treatment.
Through IDAP and our support service, NICE Advice, we aim to be a trusted advisor, providing tailored advice and supporting companies throughout their product lifecycle, helping them realise their ambitions and putting the best innovation into the hands of the NHS and patients.
Lenas Health is using artificial intelligence to predict which patients are at risk of hospitalization for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a condition that narrows and damages airways, making it difficult to breathe.
The company collects data from wearable devices, sensors and apps and uses AI to predict which patients are at high risk of hospitalization, allowing them to be monitored and treated more effectively while reducing pressure on hospitals.
Another device aims to reduce inequalities in lung health: Oximeters, which clip onto the tip of a finger, are widely used in hospitals and homes to assess how well the lungs and circulatory system are working. But research suggests the technology may not accurately detect reduced oxygen levels in people with darker skin.
EarSwitch has developed a device that detects oxygen levels through the unpigmented inner ear canal, regardless of a person’s skin color, potentially resulting in higher quality readings and a more innovative approach to oxygen level monitoring.
Vin Diwakar, interim director of reform at NHS England, said:
This marks a significant milestone in our work to ensure the NHS continues to get the best new technologies and treatments to patients more quickly, and we have already rolled out more than 100 new treatments through the Cancer Drugs Fund and launched a dedicated programme to prepare for new Alzheimer’s treatments as they are approved.
We will work closely with our partners and support the companies selected for the pilot to ensure that more groundbreaking life-saving technologies are quickly and safely introduced into the NHS.
Other technologies set to benefit from some of the funding include:
Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue App: Avegen Ltd. has developed a new smartphone app that delivers exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, and targeted physical activity in a personalized format to help patients manage multiple sclerosis (MS). Self-testing for Neutropenia: 52 North Health. has developed a new device that allows patients undergoing chemotherapy to self-test for neutropenic sepsis at home using a finger-prick blood test, a life-threatening condition for patients with suppressed immune systems. Algorithmic Infection Prediction: Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) is a life-threatening condition caused by the body’s over-reaction to infection or inflammation. Presymptom Health Ltd. has developed a new test and algorithm that may be able to predict the infectious condition up to three days before a traditional diagnosis is possible.
Dr Susan Miles, Director of Health Technology for Wales, said:
Health Technology Wales is proud to have contributed to the selection of eight pilot IDAP technologies that have the potential to support clinicians across the UK and improve patients’ lives.
We look forward to continuing to support the NHS in its adoption of innovative healthcare technologies.
