UK’s iiCON leads new initiative to fund innovative solutions to fight infectious diseases

Companies and research groups with new solutions to tackle transmission will have the opportunity to win funding through new initiatives that will shape the direction of the UK’s infectious disease response and stimulate innovation.

Infection Innovation Consortium: iiCON, a consortium led by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, has been appointed by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to deliver a new project.

The consortium brings together diverse disciplines to drive the development of new concepts and solutions that leverage disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital and automation, advanced humanized infection models, and new diagnostics to fight We will mobilize and support the formation of a network that goes beyond. Spread of infection.

Combating infectious diseases is one of the key health challenges of our time, and its urgency is increasing. Therefore, it is important to leverage novel and disruptive technologies to advance collective efforts to combat the spread of infection. We are particularly looking for the participation of individuals and companies who have not previously worked in this field.

We are confident that this exciting program will encourage the formation of new cross-disciplinary networks, help participants shape the future direction of infectious disease responses, and hold the key to solving this important problem. We hope to advance new concepts and approaches to sexuality. ”

Professor Janet Hemingway, iiCON Founding Director

Businesses and organizations will have the opportunity to apply to take part in two ‘Sandpit’ events, to be held in Liverpool on March 14th and in London on May 9th. These intensive innovation workshop sessions will help generate ideas, foster innovation, and create new collaborative approaches to tackle this urgent challenge and advance novel projects.

Complementing the work of UKRI’s flagship AMR and epidemic prevention program, the sandbox aims to foster radical new approaches to tackling infectious diseases by engaging new communities and capacities in the challenge. .

The program is supported by £1.5m of funding from UKRI to bring together a new research community and support feasibility studies. The sandbox will form a fundraising appeal of between £50,000 and £150,000 to test disruptive approaches to tackling infectious diseases. Network support grants of up to £50,000 are also available.

The development of new antibiotics and companion diagnostics is covered by the recently announced PACE initiative and is therefore not eligible for the new funding.