Highlights Archive

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has launched a new challenge on Next Generation Wearable Technology - IFA03). Please find information from DASA below: We wish to understand what metrics can be collected from wearable technology platforms that are of credible value to the defence user community (i.e. the metrics are sufficiently robust that they can reliably and confidently inform…

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), along with the Office for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Standards and Internet Governance (DSIG), are leading a research project into how Research and Development (R&D) for AI is commercialised and brought to market. Oxford Insights and Cambridge Econometrics are the research consultants that have been commissioned to explore “the ways…

The British In Vitro Diagnostics Association is calling for this Spending Review to invest in key enablers to support the UK diagnostic sector’s capacity to tackle care backlogs, drive innovation and prepare for potential future pandemics. Building a diagnostics sector that is pandemic-ready and can protect the UK’s healthcare needs requires stronger UK manufacturing, innovation, a highly skilled workforce and…

The UK and New Zealand have agreed in principle on the terms of a new free trade agreement (FTA) this week. This move forms part of the United Kingdom’s push to link with countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and to expand bilateral relations across the globe after the UK’s departure from the EU. The deal was agreed to in principle…

The European Commission has published a proposal for progressive transitional arrangements for the new IVD Regulation. It is proposing to extend the transition period for higher risk diagnostics, such as HIV or hepatitis tests (class D) and certain influenza tests (class C), until May 2025 and May 2026 respectively, whilst lower risk products in classes B and A would have…

There will be a virtual event hosted by KTN/ABPI/Innovate UK on 'Net Zero in Medicines Manufacturing: Measuring and Reporting Carbon Footprint'. It takes place on Friday 22 October from 10am-12pm. This free to attend webinar is aimed at medicines manufacturers to learn about systems and tools for measuring and reporting on Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon outputs.  Manufacturers of…

The MHRA's Sally Mounter has said that they are considering a new Agency wide vigilance reporting system. A workshop for device manufacturers will be held on 21st October between 1:30 and 3:30 to find out more about their experiences with vigilance reporting to date. You can register your interesting in attending the workshop at civs@mhra.gov.uk

The NHS, with support from the Department for Health and Social Care, has published a blueprint for the improvement of access to GP appointments for patients. It seeks to support GP surgeries in increasing the number of face-to-face appointments, tackle abuse against staff and levelling up performance. Problems such as patients having difficulties contacting GP surgeries, variations in practice performance,…

A report from the life sciences cluster MedCity has a boom in demand for London lab space and an influx of investment into the sector. Identified demand for space “exceeds 500,000 square feet and over half of that needs to be satisfied within two years”, the publication states. This number is around four times that recorded in 2016. Intensive R&D…

A joint report on the Government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic response has been published by the Health and Social Care Committee and the Science and Technology Committee. The 150-page report details failures and successes in the early strategy undertaken by the Government as the COVID crisis emerged. It covers sections such as pandemic preparedness, lockdowns, testing, vaccines and at-risk…