CSO Announces Successful Applicants for Phase 2 of the Reducing Drug Deaths Innovation Challenge
The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) and the Office of Life Sciences, UK Government have jointly announced the successful applicants for Phase 2 of the Reducing Drug Deaths Innovation Challenge. This £5 million UK-wide Contract for Innovation (previously known as Small Business Research Initiatives) innovation challenge, managed by NHS Fife, aims to fund ground-breaking projects addressing the growing issue of drug-related deaths across the United Kingdom.
Drug-related deaths have been on the rise in recent years, with the UK reporting record numbers of fatalities. The devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities has prompted the UK and Scottish Governments to take decisive action through this innovation challenge. The Reducing Drug Deaths Innovation Challenge represents a significant step forward in the UK's efforts to combat drug-related deaths through innovative technologies and approaches.
Launched in 2023, Phase 1 of the challenge, involving 11 feasibility studies, was completed in January 2024. Participating companies developed proof-of-concept solutions and demonstrated the potential impact of their technologies, covering a wide range of approaches including wearable sensors, remote monitoring devices, innovative drug delivery systems, and mobile applications.
Following a rigorous evaluation process, seven companies have been selected to progress to Phase 2. These projects commenced in August 2024, focusing on demonstrating the effectiveness and translatability of their innovative solutions in real-world settings. Each Phase 2 project will run for 12 months with funding of up to £500,000.
Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak, Chief Scientific Advisor for Health, Scottish Government, stated:
"Tackling drug-related deaths is a priority for the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland and we are committed to tackling these issues through targeted research, innovation and support.
"As part of phase two of the Reducing Drug Deaths Innovation Competition, funding has been awarded to develop seven prototypes aimed at reducing drug deaths. These innovative solutions include wearable sensors, digital monitoring and alert applications as well as novel antidote delivery systems.
"By harnessing the expertise we have in Scotland and across the rest of the UK, we can continue to develop new technologies to drive prevention initiatives." The innovations supported include wearables and sensor technology, novel psychotherapies, and AI enabled tools.
The selected projects for Phase 2 are:
EMoodie - Saving SAM System for Alert and Monitoring of Potential Overdoses Co-created with people with lived experience, "Saving SAM" combines wearables, remote monitoring, AI, and a smartphone app with gamified digital therapeutics. Partner: West of Scotland Innovation Hub Collaborators: University of Edinburgh
Kings College London - Ultra-portable fast-dispersal buccal naloxone for constant carriage Developing rapid-dispersal naloxone wafers to improve accessibility and portability of this life-saving emergency antidote medication. Partner: South London Health Innovation Network
NOMW Health - LifeSavr Unobtrusive Wearable Device to Detect Overdose Developing LifeSavr, wearable sensor technology that monitors oxygen saturation, heart rate, body movements, and respiratory rate for accurate overdose detection. Partner: North of Scotland Innovation Hub Collaborators: University of Southampton
Scienap - Drug Overdose Detection and Response using Care and Respond Developing an Alert App for self-monitoring by drug users and a Care & Respond App for trusted supporters to provide coordinated help. Partner: The Scottish Ambulance Service Collaborators: Community Scotland, Drug and Alcohol Research Network at Queen's University, Belfast
Mesox ltd - RescuePatch: a controlled-release combination patch for naloxone and flumazenil delivery Developing an innovative transdermal combination patch of the antidotes Naloxone and Flumazenil. Partner: Health Innovation South East Scotland (HISES)
University of Glasgow: ASSESSOR a soft skin-interfacing strain sensor for overdose detection and prevention Developing a soft sensor for seamless body integration, providing real-time respiratory monitoring to identify early signs of overdose episodes. Partners: West of Scotland NHS Innovation Hub Collaborators: University of Aberdeen
RESCU2 - Clinical Validation of Virtual Safe Drug Consumption Technology Pnumowave ALERT Conducting end-to-end monitoring, detection, and alerting in 200 high-risk patients residing in homeless accommodation using a discreet, chest-worn biosensor paired with a mobile device. Partner: South London Health Innovation Network Collaborators: University of Dundee, Kings College London, Hillcrest, Thames Reach, Humankind