Key Summary
- UK government, via Innovate UK, is funding innovations to tackle drug and alcohol addiction.
- Nearly 15,000 deaths a year and £47 billion cost in England highlight the urgent need for better solutions.
- Winning projects will be backed by MHRA and NICE to reach patients quicker.
A sum of £20 million government funding is being offered via Innovate UK to innovators across the UK to create path-breaking discoveries to fight drug and alcohol addiction.
Nearly 15,000 deaths occur annually due to substance misuse and addiction, along with £47 billion spent by England on thousands of people who suffer.
The government expects the innovators to develop cutting-edge medicines, medical technologies and digital tools to save thousands of substance misuse and addiction.
“Embracing new technology will help supplement all the work this government is already doing including expanding access to vital drugs and providing billions in funding for drug and alcohol prevention treatment and recovery,” commented health minister Dr Zubir Ahmed.
The AHG Catalysing Innovation Awards, part of the Addiction Healthcare Goals programme led by the Office for Life Sciences, will look to support the development of new tools including medicines, medical devices, wearables, virtual‑reality therapies, treatment apps and AI‑enabled tools to reduce addiction harm.
“These awards will support UK companies and innovators to build the evidence needed to show what works in real services, ensuring innovations reach the people who need them sooner, prevent deaths and strengthen recovery,” said Professor Anne Lingford‑Hughes, chair of Addiction Healthcare Goals.
The applications for innovations that has the potential to enhance treatment outcomes, prevent relapse and decrease the chances for overdose and death is open in the Innovate UK website, with rewards up to £10 million.
The winning projects that showcase real-world effectiveness will be supported at every phase.
Along with the monetary support, these projects will be guided by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as well, to achieve UK certification, approval and launch.
Science minister Lord Vallance said, “Backing both late‑stage technologies and earlier‑stage innovations means we are creating a clear and rapid route from breakthrough ideas to real‑world impact.”
Dr Stella Pearce, executive director of Healthy Living and Agriculture at Innovate-UK added, “By fast‑tracking these innovations into the hands of clinicians and support teams, we can improve outcomes for people with these addictions and drive economic benefit for the UK.”
