29 companies and universities from London to Edinburgh now have funding to tackle healthcare challenges ranging from cancer to childbirth complications. Projects supported include:
- ‘pH paper’ to prevent fatality through incorrect placement of feeding tubes (Edinburgh)
- dressings with embedded clotting agents which can be left in the body (Leeds)
- ozone-based generator to decontaminate medical equipment (Glasgow)
- drugs to reduce swelling and pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis (London)
- a sensor ‘hat’ to monitor newborn babies requiring resuscitation (Derby)
- new gene therapy to tackle nerve and muscle degeneration caused by Huntington’s Disease (Oxford)
- a revolutionary ‘gamma camera’ to help diagnose and treat more cancers (Camberley, Surrey)
- a bio-engineered ‘scaffold’ to repair injured tendons (Manchester)
Prime Minister David Cameron confirmed today (Thursday 20 November) that Innovate UK and the Medical Research Council would deliver the new funding through the Biomedical Catalyst, part of the government’s Life Sciences strategy.
Minister for Life Sciences George Freeman said:
These investments demonstrate just how many businesses and universities across the country are developing life-saving treatments while adding real value and vitality to their regional economies. With Innovate UK and the Medical Research Council we are helping to ensure this industry has a global reach built on solid success.
This latest announcement follows 23 separate feasibility awards, totalling over £3 million, made earlier in 2014.
It brings total investment via the Biomedical Catalyst to over £200 million since it was launched in 2012. It has leveraged a further £100 million in industry co-commitment and supported innovation from some 250 SME companies and universities.
Any UK SME or academic institution undertaking research and development in healthcare can apply for funding.