The government has unveiled the winning projects of the latest Digital Health Catalyst competition, which will each win a slice of £17 million handed out by the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund to help fuel their progress.
Satalia, working with Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, intends to use artificial intelligence (AI) to schedule operating theatre use linked to downstream bed availability on ICU and wards, to improve efficiency.
Medical Data Solutions and Services, working with Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, is working on a programme using smartphones apps to support healthcare professionals and patients to monitor and improve treatment of long-term complex wounds.
Also among the winners is Kinosis, which is working with UCL Hospitals NHS Trust to employ AI and digital visualisation technologies to improve surgical support and performance while assisting the standardisation of surgical procedures through better management of real-time information.
On the manufacturing side, FABRX is developing a 3D printing process for tablets to enable the desk-top production of medicines, while Medherant is applying a new tech expected to significantly boost the range of medicines that can be delivered by skin patches.
Ian Campbell, executive chair of Innovate UK, for UK Research and Innovation, said the winning projects “represent the very best of British innovation, focusing on improved patient outcomes and driving efficiency.”
He went on to stress that the UK health sector “is thriving, with SMEs playing a crucial role. By supporting this sector, as part of the government’s modern industrial strategy, we can ensure we remain global leaders in health innovation and create the jobs of tomorrow.”
Round 3 of the competition is now open, allowing businesses to apply for a share of £1 million for feasibility studies allowing SMEs to develop new digital technology solutions to healthcare challenges, or a share of £8 million in collaborative industrial research and experimental development projects that develop new digital technology solutions to healthcare challenges.
