Work has begun to develop a digital value proposition tool for a novel rapid sexually transmitted infection (STI) test
London, UK, 14 August 2017
Aquarius Population Health, a leading independent health economics consultancy, has recently been awarded an 18-month Innovate UK grant in collaboration with Atlas Genetics Ltd and the Applied Diagnostic Research and Evaluation Unit at St George’s University of London (total £2,000,000). The funding will be used to develop evidence for health services to support the introduction of a new rapid diagnostic test. In 30-minutes the test can diagnose multiple sexually transmitted infections including chlamydia and gonorrhoea – infections which could take up to a week to diagnose using the current laboratory testing systems.
Dr Mike Harvey and Dr Susie Huntington from Aquarius Population Health will be leading the work from Aquarius Population Health – mapping patient pathways within sexual health clinics and building a digital value proposition tool. Understanding the patient pathway facilitates thinking about new and better ways of delivering care and optimising resources for clinics. The digital value proposition tool will enable UK-based sexual health services to anticipate the potential benefits, costs and cost-effectiveness of adopting the new test. It will also quantify the impact on patients, sexual health services and on public health more broadly.
Dr Elisabeth Adams, Managing Director of Aquarius Population Health, comments:
“We are very excited to collaborate on this Innovate UK funded project. We’re convinced that our innovative digital value proposition tool will help sexual health clinics in their commissioning and adoption of this new technology.”
Dr John Clarkson, Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Genetics, comments:
“We are delighted to have been selected for this substantial follow-on contract. The work being done by this collaboration will enable us to better understand how best to integrate our io® system into UK sexual health clinical practice. Innovate UK’s commitment to introducing new, pioneering approaches to healthcare validates both our technology and our leading role in molecular diagnostics.”
Dr Tariq Sadiq, Director of The Applied Diagnostic Research & Evaluation Unit (ADREU), at St George’s University of London (SGUL), comments:
“This is a highly exciting and innovative approach to overcoming the substantial challenges to getting great technology adopted into the NHS by shedding light on potential routes through the complex landscape of factors and obstacles in our health systems.”
Contact details:
Aquarius Population Health:
Dr Elisabeth Adams – Tel: +44 (0)207 993 2930, email: elisabeth.adams@aquariusph.com
Aquarius Population Health, 58a Highgate High Street, London N6 5HX, UK
NOTES TO EDITORS
Aquarius Population Health
Aquarius Population Health was founded by Dr Elisabeth Adams, and is based in Highgate Village, North London. The multidisciplinary team of expert epidemiologists and health economists, specialise in developing creative ways to explore and solve healthcare problems. They generate independent insight and evidence to support informed decisions that can impact on policy and commercialisation and improve patient care in an efficient way. Aquarius Population Health delivers health research and consultancy for clients and collaborators in the commercial, academic, charity, and government sectors.
For further information visit www.aquariusph.com
Atlas Genetics Ltd
Atlas Genetics Ltd develops ultra-rapid point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tests for infectious diseases. The Atlas Genetics io® System uses patented technology based on the use of a novel electrochemical sensor that combines speed, accuracy and multiplex detection capability. The Company has its head office and R&D facilities near Bath in the UK, with a commercial office in Boston, USA.
Applied Diagnostic Research and Evaluation Unit, St George’s, University of London
The Applied Diagnostic Research and Evaluation Unit (ADREU) is a proven multi-institutional and disciplinary group including experts in diagnostic evaluations, epidemiology and public health, clinical medicine, social science and basic and translational science, based at St George’s, University of London (SGUL).
For further information visit www.adreu.com.
Innovate UK
Innovate UK is the UK’s innovation agency. Innovate UK works with people, companies and partner organisations to find and drive the science and technology innovations that will grow the UK economy – delivering productivity, new jobs and exports. Our aim at Innovate UK is to keep the UK globally competitive in the race for future prosperity.
For further information visit www.innovateuk.org
SBRI
The SBRI (Small Business Research Initiative) programme uses the power of government procurement to drive innovation. It provides opportunities for innovative companies to engage with the public sector and gain contracts to solve specific problems. Competitions for new technologies and ideas are run on specific topics and aim to engage a broad range of organisations. SBRI enables the public sector to engage with industry during the early stages of development, supporting projects through the stages of feasibility and prototyping.
For further information visit
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sbri-the-small-business-research-initiative