Advanced Diagnostics Accelerator (ADA) is delivering lasting impact in Greater Manchester part of the UK government’s Innovation Accelerator programme. It has developed innovative pathways for early disease detection and more targeted care than conventional testing, ultimately enhancing health outcomes and stimulating economic growth.
Led by Health Innovation Manchester, the University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, this collaborative project has helped bridge the gap between research and clinical implementation of advanced diagnostic technologies.
ADA is one of ten projects funded within the Greater Manchester portfolio of the Innovation Accelerator (IA) programme, which is transforming the innovation landscape in the UK and paving the way for the future of place-based research and development (R&D) investment.
Since its launch, the IA programme has invested £100m in 26 transformative R&D projects between 2023-25, focusing on high-potential innovation clusters across three UK regions – Greater Manchester, West Midlands and Glasgow City Region and has been extended by £30m for 2025/26. The programme builds on regional cluster strengths and brings together the innovation ecosystem, to drive economic growth and technological advancement.
The programme is led by Innovate UK, on behalf of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and co-created in Greater Manchester with regional leadership to ensure it is locally led and focused on harnessing the region’s strengths in high performance materials, health innovation, advanced manufacturing and digital technology.
The IA programme in Greater Manchester provided a unique opportunity to test hypotheses in real-world settings, and those projects emerging from the programme have made significant impacts in just two years. The programme has supported more than 500 businesses to take forward innovations, while over 1000 Greater Manchester residents have accessed skills support – to either upskill or begin their journey to a career in a high-growth sector.
The work delivered has been highly output-focused, resulting in the creation of meaningful networks and lasting relationships. Partners and stakeholders have embarked on a collective learning journey, creating something new that they can be proud of whilst adding tangible value to a new paradigm shift in ways of working. An approach that has proven to be highly effective in bringing together diverse stakeholders, while strengthening key relationships.
Two years since its launch the projects are demonstrating globally competitive research and development that is putting the region’s innovation strengths on the map including Advanced Diagnostic Accelerator (ADA)..
ADA has various work streams from public and patient involvement through focus groups to the development of data-driven advanced diagnostics, point-of-care testing and rapid, cost-effective diagnostic tests for conditions like heart failure and lung cancer. By utilising Greater Manchester’s academic and industry excellence from frontier sectors of Bioinformatics and Genomics, and AI, the project builds on assets already in existence within the city-region’s ecosystem, including validating and translating biomarkers and therapeutic assets into clinical use.
Key achievements include attracting £2.7m in co-investment to date, the development of a new MedTech product, deployment of new engagement techniques, alongside the identification and creation of at least three new products and services. The programme has strengthened Greater Manchester’s research, innovation, and data landscape through four submitted grants, two network events, and 26 digital communications assets. It has also expanded access to screening and diagnostic services, engaging over 1200 patients in treatment or research activities, while fostering greater research participation and early diagnosis for underserved communities, with over 400 patients engaged in community events.
By enhancing early diagnosis, boosting business sustainability, and tackling health inequalities, Advanced Diagnostic Accelerator is contributing to increased productivity, reduced economic inactivity due to poor health, and longer life expectancy for Greater Manchester residents and created multiple high value jobs.
Building on this momentum, Health Innovation Manchester, the University of Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and the industry partners have together secured a further £1.6 million Innovate UK grant for the Advanced Diagnostic Accelerator in Greater Manchester.
Science Minister, Lord Vallance, said: “The Innovation Accelerator programme is unlocking new opportunities for growth in regions across the UK and this £30m investment backs further collaboration between business, academia and government to build on local innovation that can improve lives across the country.
“Greater Manchester’s Advanced Diagnostics Accelerator’s work to support early disease detection and targeted care will support our NHS and with further investment is driving up local jobs, benefiting the local economy and helping to deliver our Plan for Change.”
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, added:
“It’s fantastic to see the innovation happening in Greater Manchester having such a wide-ranging impact. The Advanced Diagnostics Accelerator is improving the diagnosis and treatment of diseases while also delivering a significant economic boost, creating high-value jobs, driving investment, and encouraging closer collaboration between industry and academia. It is also doing great work in getting more of our residents involved in supporting medical trials, and speeding up access to the newest treatments and diagnostics being developed in our universities and research hospitals.
“The wider Innovation Accelerator programme has been an important catalyst for locally led innovation, and we’ve seen that translate into business growth, new jobs and investment, and advances in technology across a range of sectors. The extension of funding for Greater Manchester’s 10 projects will help them build on the success they’ve already achieved.”
Professor Ben Bridgewater, Chief Executive at Health Innovation Manchester, commented:
“The investment we have received from the Innovation Accelerator programme for Advanced Diagnostic Accelerator was a catalyst to progress in our mission for improved population health. For each of our focus areas from liver disease and lung cancer to heart failure and chest pain we had a shared ethos to reduce inequalities, build on assets in existence and drive productivity through collaboration. To reach over 1,200 patients, create high-value jobs and establish a spin out in just two years shows the potential of projects like ours to make a meaningful impact on health outcomes.”
