Key Summary
- Scientists in Britain and France to work together on cures for infectious diseases and pioneering improvements in women’s health.
- These affect millions of people around the world but still don’t have treatment.
- Scientists will share AI resources and data to find a cure for the issues.
The UK and France have formed a partnership to explore solutions to millions of women suffering from complications arising from childbirth or living with endometriosis.
Announced as the technology secretary arrives in Paris for talks with G7 Ministers, scientists in both countries will bring together their AI capabilities and data towards the study.
The collaboration targets under-researched, under-diagnosed conditions - like endometriosis and childbirth complications - that affect millions globally but currently lack proper treatment.
This partnership will unlock new treatments, enable earlier diagnoses for safer pregnancies and more personalised care.
The deal will also track drug-resistant microbes (like E. coli) to speed up how international teams identify and tackle infectious outbreaks before they spread.
Science and Technology secretary Liz Kendall said: “This ground-breaking partnership between the UK and France will tackle some of the biggest challenges in women’s health, deliver safer and healthier pregnancies, and accelerate the fight against infectious diseases worldwide. That means new treatments, earlier diagnoses, and more personalised care.
“We are determined to build on that spirit of co-operation with our G7 partners this week, to drive forward work on some of the most important issues that affect us all, from AI adoption to keeping kids safe online.
The UK government has also committed to invest nearly £900,000 to boost the partnership between the Bristol Centre for Supercomputing (which hosts Isambard‑AI) and France’s computing centre, GENCI.
This will allow researchers at both bases to access world-class compute power and deliver scientific breakthroughs. Isambard-AI is already supporting cutting-edge research in areas ranging from drug discovery for heart disease to climate scenario modelling.
Additionally, Imperial College London and the French National Center for Scientific Research will sign a separate landmark agreement to collaborate on metabolism research - tackling major health challenges including heart disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders.
