A health innovation programme designed to accelerate the development and deployment of novel diagnostics across Greater Manchester has been strengthened by a combined investment exceeding fourteen million pounds. The programme is delivered through a partnership involving Health Innovation Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, and The University of Manchester, and brings together additional investment from life sciences and digital industry partners alongside public funding from Innovate UK.
The scale of the investment reflects the breadth of ambition behind the programme, which targets some of the most challenging disease areas facing the region's population of 2.8 million people. Projects within the accelerator are focused on conditions including liver disease, heart failure, lung cancer, chest pain, and cardiometabolic disorders, as well as the development of rapid genomic testing technologies through the DEVOTE Programme.
A Multi-Pronged Approach to Diagnostic Innovation
Rather than concentrating resources on a single disease area or technology, the accelerator programme takes a broad approach that addresses multiple diagnostic challenges simultaneously. Each project within the portfolio is designed to open new market opportunities for local businesses while supporting a cultural shift within the NHS from reactive acute care to proactive community prevention.
The diagnostic projects span a range of clinical settings, from paramedic-led assessments before patients reach hospital to community-based screening programmes that aim to identify people at risk of chronic conditions much earlier in the disease pathway. This diversity of application reflects the complexity of the diagnostic landscape and the need for solutions that work across different care environments.
Bridging the Gap Between Research and Patient Care
One of the central goals of the programme is to demonstrate that Greater Manchester's academic research strengths can be translated directly into improved patient outcomes. The region has a well-established reputation for clinical and genomic research, and the accelerator provides a framework for converting that knowledge into practical diagnostic tools.
The genomics component, delivered through the DEVOTE Programme, is particularly focused on technologies that can provide clinically relevant genetic information within the tight timeframes required for urgent care. This includes bedside tests that can inform treatment decisions within an hour, rather than the days or weeks typically required by conventional laboratory-based genetic testing.
Industry Collaboration as a Driving Force
A notable feature of the investment is the significant co-investment from private sector partners, encompassing global pharmaceutical companies, diagnostic technology firms, artificial intelligence specialists, and digital health businesses. This level of industry engagement is seen as a strong indicator of confidence in the region's innovation ecosystem and the commercial viability of the technologies being developed.
The programme also places a strong emphasis on addressing health inequalities. Greater Manchester has areas where residents spend a disproportionate amount of their lives in poor health, and the accelerator's projects are designed with a shared commitment to reducing these disparities through earlier and more accurate diagnosis, particularly in underserved communities.
With the programme now operational, attention turns to demonstrating measurable impact across the portfolio. The combination of public funding, private investment, and a collaborative approach that spans academia, industry, and clinical practice positions the accelerator as a significant step forward for diagnostic innovation in the United Kingdom.