Accelerating Detection of Disease: UKRI Industry Briefing for Life Sciences Sector

The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)-funded Accelerating Detection of Disease (ADD) program will host a webinar on 1 October 2020 for life science companies to learn more about partnering and investment opportunities.

Over the next four years the ADD program will recruit five million volunteers to support research intended to improve early detection, risk stratification, and early intervention for chronic diseases.

ADD volunteers will provide biological samples and health related data. With their consent, volunteers’ data will be linked to NHS records, and ADD will also offer volunteers feedback about their health, if they choose. Some will be invited to provide repeat samples and join follow-on studies designed to test the potential of new diagnostic tests or treatments, particularly if they’re at higher risk for certain diseases.

The unrivalled depth and detail of the ADD initiative will make it a unique resource for health research. Researchers from across academia and industry will have the chance to work with ADD to conduct studies that could improve the way we detect, diagnose and treat diseases.

Speakers at the seminar include:

• Alison Cave, Accelerating Detection of Disease challenge director at UK Research and Innovation
• Andrew Roddam, CEO, Early Disease Detection Research Project UK Ltd, the charity that runs the ADD programme
• Fiona Reddington, Exec Director of Partnerships, Early Disease Detection Research Project UK Ltd.

ADD is funded by £79 million from UKRI’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund which is expected to be matched by funding of up to £160 million from industry.