£133m boost for research to aid cancer patients

RESEARCH into how gene-based therapies and artificial intelligence can help people with cancer, dementia and Parkinson’s disease has been given a £133million boost.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) hope the cash will speed up diagnosis time for thousands of NHS patients.

A previously announced £50million will go towards NHS diagnostic services, while BEIS is pledging a further £83million.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “I’ve seen for myself how better technology and diagnosis can save clinicians’ time so they can concentrate on care.

“The NHS is spearheading worldleading technologies that can transform and save lives through new treatments, diagnosis techniques and care.

“I’m determined that the benefits of these advances will improve the lives of thousands of patients whose conditions have long been considered life-limiting.”

Of the BEIS money, £14million will go to bioscience projects and technologies that could treat osteoarthritis and develop new vaccines.

The remaining £69.5million of the total investment will help fund four projects across the UK.

Adult social care will receive £7.5million to use research to improve care and enable more people to be helped in their own homes.

Money will also go towards new technologies targeting genetic mutations that could help treat diseases including cancer, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s and arthritis.

Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom said: “Today’s commitment will play a vital role in ensuring that our scientists and thinkers have the tools they need to find new treatments that will support people to lead longer, healthier lives.”