Plans for Diagnostics and Technology Accelerator launched at MFT
Tuesday 19th June saw the internal launch of the Diagnostics and Technology Accelerator (DiTA) at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT).
Attended by clinicians, investigators and industry engagement staff the event was a chance for people to find out more about how DiTA will develop a simple process to manage the assessment of new in vitro (blood or tissue) diagnostics and technologies, from setting up clinical studies through to incorporating them into patient care.
The event was chaired by DiTA Director Professor Rick Body, an innovator in diagnostic testing. Rick was part of an international group that validated an algorithm to ‘rule in’ and ‘rule out’ heart attacks with high sensitivity cardiac troponin T within just 1 hour.
The launch included talks from Professor Neil Hanley, Director of Research and Innovation and Sir Michael Deegan, who explained how DiTA would match MFT’s research and clinical strengths with suitable opportunities with industry to deliver the next generation of diagnostic tools and medical devices.
The event was a chance for the MFT community to help shape the strategy for DiTA by identifying challenges currently faced when in developing and implementing new diagnostics and technologies in to the NHS, as well as potential solutions.
Delegates also got to hear about two exemplar projects from this area area, where clinicians are successfully working with industry to develop in vitro diagnostics.
Dr John McDermott, who presented his work on the development of a point-of-care genetic test with Genedrive plc which identifies newborns at risk of hearing loss when receiving treatment for sepsis. To close the event Dr Jonathan Bannard-Smith spoke about his innovative project with an SME on an inline blood gas sampling technique for use in critical care.
Visit the DiTA website to find out more about the accelerator’s work
