The Scottish Government Scottish Health and Industry Partnership (SHIP) together with the public sector members of the AI Skin Cancer Consortium are launching a Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Open Innovation Competition via Innovate UK, estimated to launch late March 2023.

The Scottish Government Scottish Health and Industry Partnership (SHIP) together with the public sector members of the AI Skin Cancer Consortium are launching a Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Open Innovation Competition via Innovate UK, estimated to launch late March 2023. As part of this Preliminary Market Consultation process, we wish to engage with interested suppliers in the marketplace. For further details please access the following link and note your interest to access supporting documents and Question and Answer facilities: Please submit any questions regarding the Preliminary Market Consultation through Public Contracts Scotland via the Question and Answer function accessible by the following:

Link to Preliminary Market Consultation Notice:

Preliminary Market Consultation (Innovation): SBRI Open Innovation Competition on the Open Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to accelerate detection of Skin Cancer

The Scottish Government Scottish Health and Industry Partnership (SHIP) together with the public sector members of the AI Skin Cancer Consortium are launching a Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Open Innovation Competition via Innovate UK, estimated to launch in late March 2023. This future challenge will provide an opportunity for companies, working individually or collectively to enhance or refine existing AI algorithms using healthcare data to accelerate detection and diagnosis of skin cancer.

Overview

Improving outcomes and experience for people accessing Health and Social Care and delivering a “Once-for-Scotland’’ approach to support a rapid diagnosis of skin cancer is a key priority for NHS Scotland, supported by the Centre for Sustainable Delivery. Skin cancers are the most common group of cancers diagnosed worldwide. [Melanoma Skin Cancer Statistics show Melanoma is one of the most common cancers in young adults.
It is estimated that 325 000 new melanoma cases and 57 000 deaths due to melanoma occurred in 2020, with large geographic variations in incidence across countries and world regions. If 2020 rates remain stable, the global burden from melanoma is estimated to increase to 510 000 new cases and 96 000 deaths by 2040.” Global Burden of Cutaneous Melanoma in 2020 and Projections to 2040 | Dermatology | JAMA Dermatology | JAMA Network

Challenge Details

For this future challenge applications will be welcome from any type of organisation of any size (registered in the UK, European Union or the European Economic Area) that can demonstrate a credible and practical route to market. Applicants can work alone or with others from business, research organisations, research and technology organisations or the third sector as subcontractors. Applicants will be able to work in partnership with local, regional and national NHS Boards; Regional Test beds; and Primary Care groups where appropriate to provide solutions which are readily tested, evaluated and reported in the timescales outlined in the challenge documentation to affect wider national strategies and NHS adoption. This will be a Pre-Commercial Procurement Challenge competition. Successful applicants receive 100% funding and access to advice from the NHS Scotland Test Beds.

Further information

Further information will be available via Innovate UK when the competition launches, anticipated to take place in late March 2023. This will include a briefing pack and applicants’ guidance.

When the Pre-Commercial Procurement becomes available, interested parties must make a separate application for the competition on Innovate UK.