NHS England, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and the AHSN Network have joined forces to launch an ambitious new programme, connecting digital health innovators with pharmaceutical companies to explore new innovations that could help people living with diabetes.

Launched today (4 October 2018), the Diabetes Hothouse is the first initiative arising from the NHS England and ABPI Priority Delivery Agreement launched earlier this year, which seeks to facilitate faster access of new, evidenced based technology for patients.

The Diabetes Hothouse is calling for innovators with market-ready, digital or digitally-enabled innovations to take part in the programme. Successful innovations, with evidence of strong impact of improving outcomes for people with diabetes will receive support in either funding or clinical expertise so they can spread their solutions across the country.

Five pharmaceutical companies are participating in the Diabetes Hothouse and will progress the selected collaboration projects in partnership with NHS England.

The innovations must also support existing national diabetes priorities so that patients receive the right care at the right time.

These are:

1. improving hospital safety
2. reducing amputation rates

Improving the three treatment targets, aligned to early intervention material health mental health. AHSN Network website

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an event in London on 22 November 2018 to present their proposals to the five pharmaceutical companies, and to explore opportunities around collaboration with colleagues from NHS England and the AHSN Network.

Dr Partha Kar, Associate National Clinical Director for Diabetes, NHS England said:

“Technology is really improving our daily lives and the NHS wants to use its power to improve the lives of patients living with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and women with diabetes. This is a call out for the very best innovations in healthcare which will help NHS patients manage their conditions and, as we look to the future of the NHS, the long term plan will continue to champion world leading technology to improve patient care.”

Colette Goldrick, Director of NHS Engagement at the ABPI said:

“It’s great to see the first initiative under the Diabetes Priority agreement between ABPI and NHS England coming to life, and even better to have on board the added expertise of our partners in the AHSN Network.

I’m sure that the Diabetes Hothouse process will surface some valuable digital innovations that ABPI members can support to create a triple win – better outcomes for people with diabetes, better use of resources for the NHS, and a positive signal of rapid uptake and spread for the life sciences industry."

Tara Donnelly, Digital Health Lead for the AHSN Network and Chief Executive of the Health Innovation Network said:

“I am delighted that the AHSN Network is working with the ABPI and NHS England to articulate the needs of people with diabetes. We look forward to hearing from successful innovators and matchmaking them with industry partners so that they can work together to drive improvements in care.”

- ENDS -

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Notes to editors

• Applicants considered suitable to progress to the Diabetes Hothouse will be invited to an event on 22 November in London to present their proposals to representatives from the five pharmaceutical companies (AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi and Takeda). Colleagues from both the ABPI and the AHSN Network to will be on hand to help applicants explore ideas for potential collaboration partners if support is required.
• No upper or lower limit has been set for the collaboration projects. This will be based on merit, and will vary depending on both the innovation itself and how the project is designed. The decision as to whether to partner on a project will be at the discretion of the individual participating companies.
• Successful applicants will be jointly supported by NHS England and the interested pharmaceutical company(ies), and the AHSN Network where required.

More on the NHS England's diabetes programme: https://www.england.nhs.uk/diabetes/

About the ABPI

The ABPI represents innovative research-based biopharmaceutical companies, large, medium and small, leading an exciting new era of biosciences in the UK.

Our industry, a major contributor to the economy of the UK, brings life-saving and life-enhancing medicines to patients. We represent companies who supply more than 80 per cent of all branded medicines used by the NHS and who are researching and developing the majority of the current medicines pipeline, ensuring that the UK remains at the forefront of helping patients prevent and overcome disease.

Globally our industry is researching and developing more than 7,000 new medicines.

The ABPI is recognised by government as the industry body negotiating on behalf of the branded pharmaceutical industry for statutory consultation requirements including the pricing scheme for medicines in the UK.

About the AHSN Network

The AHSN Network comprises the 15 Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) that collectively cover all of England. The Network works with the NHS, Office for Life Sciences, higher education, local government and industry organisations to spread innovation, improve health and generate economic growth.

AHSNs were established by NHS England in 2013 to spread innovation at pace and scale – improving health and generating economic growth. Each AHSN works across a distinct geography serving a different population in each region.