In the 7th edition of “Under the Microscope” Angela Pyle introduces us to “The NIHR Health Tech Research Centre in Diagnostic and Technology Evaluation” and explains the range of services on offer to support diagnostic development.

Hi Angela. Can you introduce yourself and tell me your background, and current role?

I’m the Programme Manager for the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre (HRC) in Diagnostic and Technology Evaluation in Newcastle. I joined the team in January 2024. Prior to joining the HRC I worked in genetics and rare disease research; carrying out research and managing research projects, as well as managing multidisciplinary teams.

In my current role I oversee the daily operational and business management of the HRC in Diagnostic and Technology Evaluation, managing a diverse portfolio of translational medical research projects.

Tell me about the NIHR HRC

The NIHR HRC in Diagnostic and Technology Evaluation (HRC DTE) is part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and hosted by Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NuTH) in partnership with Newcastle University.

Our highly skilled methodologists efficiently evaluate new diagnostics at pace and scale to ensure rapid adoption for patient benefit. We work collaboratively with developers (mainly Industry and Academics) to generate a portfolio of evidence that supports adoption and use of their innovations in healthcare.

The HRC DTE builds and consolidates on our successful work as the former NIHR Newcastle In Vitro Diagnostics Co-operative (MIC) and Diagnostics Evidence Co-operative (DEC) Newcastle. Over the last 10 years, we have worked with over 260 companies helping them to obtain over £20 million in external funding as they bring their diagnostics to the UK healthcare market.

What services do you offer and who are your main customers? (i.e. not asking for names – just types e.g. SMEs)

We offer methodological support including, advice on clinical scenarios and patient care pathway analysis, statistical design and analysis of clinical evaluation studies, health economics, patient and public involvement and training including courses, placements, and skills exchange. Historically we have specifically evaluated in vitro diagnostic tests. However, the new HRC award is allowing us to expand our remit and evaluate diagnostic devices, such as technologies related to imaging, artificial intelligence, and digital healthcare within our three clinical themes: Ageing and Multiple Long-Term Conditions, Infection, Precision Medicine and Rare Diseases.

Our customers are mainly UK Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), as per our remit from the NIHR. However, we also provide support to multinational companies and charities along with academic and clinical researchers. Not limited to UK collaborators.

Can you give me some examples of specific projects you’ve worked on?

We are collaborating with the Newcastle University Stroke Research Group and UpFront Diagnostics to examine diagnostics that may improve the emergency care of patients with a suspected stroke. The company UpFront Diagnostics is developing a lateral flow test to help identify Large Vessel Occlusion stroke during the initial assessment of a patient in an ambulance.

Led by Newcastle University Stroke Research Group, we helped the company secure around £2 million funding, from Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Healthcare and Innovate UK and gave advice on the test design

The project team are currently evaluating the accuracy of the prototype in a real-world patient population across six large stroke services. The project has also involved the support of other Diagnostics North East partners including Health Innovation North East North Cumbria (HI-NENC) and the North East Innovation Lab (NEIL).

Tell me about your work in public engagement and/or research inclusion?

In September, our Public Partnerships Manager Greta Brunskill joined the HRC. Her first task was to develop and submit the HRC Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) strategy, which has received positive feedback from the NIHR.

A key part of the strategy is to embed PPIE at every stage of our projects and continue to work closely with our Insight Panel for Patients, Public and Carers.

The HRC DTE is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion in everything we do. Our vision is to be a diverse and inclusive organisation that represents our communities, enables equitable access to healthcare and in which all people leading, delivering, and involved in our research can thrive.

To help us achieve this vision, in the same timeframe, Dr Rachel Dickinson has developed a Research Inclusion strategy for the HRC, alongside Professor Judith Rankin. The feedback on this strategy from NIHR has also been extremely positive.

 What excites you about the HRC – what’s new and what’s coming up?

I’m excited about the NIHR HRC Network that launched in September. This brings together all 14 HRCs with a mission ‘to accelerate the development and adoption of innovative health technologies that meet the needs of patients, the NHS, and the wider health and care system’. Within the HRC Network there will be six workstreams/core functions of which the HRC DTE will lead on PPIE and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). The network will allow us to share best practice and learning with the other HRCs and work together to proactively support industry at a national level.

More details can be found in the press release: Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle University collaborate with UK companies to secure over £2.5m to detect and treat illness – NIHR HRC in Diagnostic and Technology Evaluation (HRC)NIHR HRC in Diagnostic and Technology Evaluation (HRC)

How do you interact with other Diagnostic North East teams?

We regularly work alongside the North East Innovation Lab (NEIL) on a number of projects including the recently funded projects with Microplate Dx and Linear Diagnostics and the project with UpFront Diagnostics.

The HRC DTE and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) External Assessment Group teams work closely together, meeting every two months to discuss shared learning, and collaborations. We currently have staff seconded from the NICE External Assessment Group into the HRC to work on projects.

The HRC DTE management group oversees our governance and contains representatives from HI-NENC, Medconnect North, NIHR Innovation Observatory, Novopath and DxNE. The management group meet with us on a monthly basis to monitor our programme of work, determine our priorities and identify new areas for collaboration.

How do companies engage with your and what happens next?

Companies and/or academics can get in touch by completing our online enquiry form.

The HRC Triage Team consists of clinicians, clinical scientists, and methodologists. We aim to triage any enquiries within 7-10 days of receipt of the completed form depending on availability of our triage team.

Please note that applying for collaborative grant applications will take up to two months to prepare.

We regularly exhibit at events both locally and nationally.

You can also follow us on LinkedIn and X, see our website and sign up to our mailing list to receive our newsletters.