Technology Secretary announces cancer research investments

New cancer treatments will be trialled in the UK, the Government has confirmed, announcing a series of medical tech investments.

Projects looking into AI diagnoses and personalised immunotherapy treatments are among those that could benefit from public and private sector investment totalling £148 million.

Research hubs will also be created at universities across the country, with money coming from the Government and other investment, to encourage businesses.

In total, there will be a £118 million fund for the hubs at University College London, the University of Liverpool, the University of Bristol, the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh.

Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has said that “backing cutting-edge technologies not only offers the hope of longer, healthier lives”.

He added: “They have the potential to grow the economy – unleashing a torrent of investment into life sciences that will boost jobs, opportunities and growth.

“This is why the life sciences sector will be at the heart of the International Investment Summit next week – as investors across the world recognise the value of this industry, for growth and for lifesaving solutions.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “As a cancer survivor, I know how vital an early cancer diagnosis and the latest treatments are. This investment will not only save lives, but also secure Britain’s status as a powerhouse for life sciences and medical technology.

“When we combine the care of the NHS and the genius of our country’s leading scientific minds, we can develop life-changing treatments for patients and help get Britain’s economy booming.”

According to DSIT, among the treatments and tech that could eventually be brought to market are cheaper scanners that could help detect early signs of cancer and training AI models to diagnose cancer through data shared across the NHS.

The announcement comes ahead of the International Investment Summit later this month.

Published: 06/10/2024 by Radio NewsHub