The Accelerated Access Collaborative has – via Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Healthcare – awarded £2.3 million in funding to support development of ‘phase 1’ (early stage) innovations that will improve infection prevention and control to help reduce antimicrobial resistance, and support the health and wellbeing of women.

£1 million of funding will support the development of 11 antimicrobial resistance innovations, including a point-of-care diagnostic platform that uses mRNA biomarkers to rapidly assess bacterial/viral infection in children and a rapid-result diagnostic test for urinary tract infections.

£1.3 million of funding will support 14 innovations to improve women’s health, including a medical device to reduce perineal injury during childbirth, and an AI tool that empowers patients to book, cancel or reschedule cervical cancer screening appointments via WhatsApp in their preferred language.

These innovations were chosen because they have the biggest potential to deliver the transformative care needed for patients and clinical staff to deliver an NHS that is fit for the future.

To find out more about the winners, please visit the SBRI Healthcare website.