PACE: 2024 Diagnostic Innovations

Funding is open to researches in academia and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) worldwide, including consortia (large diagnostic industry partners permitted, but must cover own costs). Applications should have a single lead applicant, however co-applications are welcome.

There will be awards of up to £300K for technical feasibility projects (Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3, and up to £1M for product development projects (TRL 4-5). Projects are expected to last up to two years.

We are looking for projects addressing unmet diagnostic needs for bacterial infections with the highest burden of antimicrobial resistance, which aim to:

1. Reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions.
2. Provide faster results to indicate which antibiotic should be used.
3. Catalyse the move to personalised, narrow-spectrum treatments.

We are prioritising projects that are developing diagnostic solutions in Urinary Tract Infections, Lower Respiratory Tract Infections and Bloodstream Infections/Sepsis.

General scope details:

• New in-vitro diagnostics in development at TRL stage 3-5 (late TRL 2 considered).
  • Between Technical Feasibility and Early Prototype including field studies for generating data in relevant environment.
• Adaption of existing diagnostics that could be implemented in new healthcare settings/target regions/countries, or deployed for new indications/use-cases.
• Proposals that include potential for community care (e.g. pharmacy, care home, school, community diagnostic centre) or ‘at-home’ use.
• Analytes can be a direct measurement of bacterial markers or host-based biomarkers, or combination thereof.
• Applications providing solutions tailored to a intended setting. This includes those tailored towards resource-limited settings, including in low and middle income countries (LMICs).

The following are not in scope:

• Later-stage diagnostic development (TRL6+), incl.
  • Longer term studies in support of regulatory filings such as long-term stability studies.
  • Manufacturing of the final instrument/scale-up activities.
  • Marketing support including submission of marketing approvals.
• Tests that require central lab infrastructure.
• Standalone: pathogen ID, technology/method/device development, algorithm/ML model development, biomarker identification/validation, pilot lot production of reagents and instruments.
• Surveillance-only approaches and solutions to improve empiric treatment based on surveillance data.
• Diagnostics focused solely on fungal/viral/parasitic infections, sexually-transmitted infections or TB.
• Projects over 2 years in duration.

Up to 8 applicants will be awarded grant funding, with projects expected to last up to two years. There will be awards of up to £300K for technical feasibility projects (Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3, and up to £1M for product development projects (TRL 4-5).

PACE is not just about grant funding; we offer a truly collaborative approach to project development and delivery. Those who secure funding will feel the wider value of a network of potential project partners and receive advice and guidance from some of the best in the field. And we’re there for the long run, so whether you move to the next stage of development or are not successful in securing a grant this time around, you can stay plugged into our community and continue to benefit from our expert ecosystem.

The expression of interest phase will be open on our website from 26 September through to the closing date of 23:59 (GMT) on 30 October 2024. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to the full application stage in December 2024.

Catalyser will be available for all selected applicants to support them in developing their full applications, with an initial workshop to take place on 14 January 2025. Final funding decisions will be communicated in July 2025, with an expectation of project initiation within three months of receipt of the award letter.

To support the launch of the 2024 Diagnostic Innovations call, PACE will be holding an online webinar followed by a live Q&A at 15:00 (BST) on 2 October 2024. Click here to sign up for a webinar place.

If you would like help to find a collaboration partner, contact Innovate UK Business Connect’s Health team.