Connect to Innovate 2022: Driving innovation in respiratory health

Recently, Asthma + Lung UK launched our new Innovators Network with the first in our new series of events for innovators, researchers and healthcare professionals. Naomi from our Research team tells us about this first event, what the key takeaways were and our hopes for the network.

Sign up to our Innovator’s Network

Connect to Innovate 2022, was the first event in our new series, seeking to bring innovators, researchers and healthcare professionals together to inspire collaboration and see change happen. We heard insights from regulators, funders, NHS transformation specialists and behaviour change experts. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet others working in the innovation space and to share top tips for navigating the translational pathway.

Our event takeaways

The day was full of rich conversations and valuable insight - here’s what we’re taking away:

1. Respiratory should be top of the agenda

Asthma + Lung UK wants to see 2 million people have access to high-quality products that help them to manage their lung condition. 1 in 5 people are impacted by respiratory disease in their lifetime, and it is the third leading cause of death in the UK. That’s why we’re working with innovators to improve the development and implementation of new solutions.

We were also excited to see SBRI launch their recent Healthcare Competition at our event. The Competition was seeking applications to address respiratory outcomes, focused on accelerating the delivery of late-stage innovations into real-world healthcare settings. While the competition has now closed, Asthma + Lung UK are working to encourage similar large-scale funding opportunities.

2. Early engagement is better than perfect engagement

In the morning, we had input from Ian Newington (NIHR), Anne Wilson (NHSE Transformation) and Paul Weston (ORCHA) on how we can ensure successful innovation. A clear theme running through the panel discussion was that innovators should speak to funders, regulators and the NHS much earlier than expected, to increase the chance of success. It’s not always easy to find the best person to speak to, so here are a few starters:

NHS Innovation service: The new service, which aims to accelerate the uptake of innovative new products int the NHS, is currently open to its first round of users for testing. You can register your interest here.

NICE Early Value Assessments: Another new service designed to speed up the uptake of digital tech, the new Early Value Assessments will perform rapid assessments of clinical effectiveness and value for money.

ORCHA: Best known for their library of accredited health apps, ORCHA run a service that helps prove digital tools meet DTAC requirements, one of the biggest hurdles in getting new innovations into the NHS. ORCHA provide other review services and will often do an initial assessment for free. You can get in touch via their website.

3. Self-management is a behaviour change issue

Professor John Weinman (KCL) and Dr Alison Wright (UCL) talked us through approaches to behaviour change for self-management. Understanding behaviour is key to developing successful products and interventions, that patients will use and love. That’s why Asthma + Lung UK are working with experts like Prof. Weinman and Dr Wright to develop resources that innovators can use to design effective products and interventions.

The session provided just a snapshot of the insight that’s available, so be sure to sign up to our Innovators Network to hear about other opportunities to learn more.

4. It’s great to get out and meet others

It was fantastic to feel the buzz in the room as all the event attendees got to mix and share ideas and experiences. Our hope for our Innovator’s Network is that we can continue to facilitate collaboration across the respiratory space, and maximise the value of innovation for people with lung conditions.

We have some exciting announcements coming later in the year, so if you’re an innovator developing a respiratory product, be sure to sign up to our network to hear more.

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