Applications have opened for round three of the NHS Cancer Programme Innovation Open Call, which aims to “fast-track high-quality, proven, late-stage innovations into front-line settings and address implementation evidence gaps” in early cancer detection.
Led by the NHS Cancer Programme and supported by SBRI Healthcare and the Accelerated Access Collaborative, the competition looks to accelerate the development of innovations and approaches designed to help to detect cancers earlier and increase the proportion of cancers diagnosed at stage one or two. It is open to all types of innovation, including medical devices; in vitro diagnostics; artificial intelligence; new models of care; behavioural interventions; and digital health solutions and software.
Successful applications will be 100 percent funded “up to the total value of £4M (excluding VAT)” over a maximum of 24 months. A range of support is available for those considering making an application, including an online Q&A session scheduled for 18 April.
The deadlines for applications is 29 May at 1pm, with assessments due to take place over May and June. The peer review and interview process will happen across July to October, with contracts for successful applicants set to be awarded in October/November this year.
The previous funding rounds have seen £24.5 million of funding given out to 14 projects, including a test for hepatocellular carcinoma from the University of Manchester which uses blood test results age and gender to calculate a risk score via an algorithm; and Orion Medtech’s RAPID project which has established regional digital infrastructure and an optimised clinical pathway for initial management of brain tumours.
Click here to access the full details on the latest round.
In related news, a study has identified the benefits of linking whole genome sequencing data to real-world clinical data, to identify changes in cancer DNA that “may be relevant for an individual patient’s care”, potentially helping in the delivery of precision cancer care.
In other funding and innovation news, South East London ICS has shared that £1.5 million in funding for devices designed to automate red blood cell exchanges for patients with sickle cell disease has been distributed to 22 NHS trusts.
