Millions of pounds are being invested in new technology to help minimise the impact of infectious diseases.
The Technology Strategy Board (TSB) has created a new Innovation Platform for the Detection and Identification of Infectious Agents in which it will invest up to £50 million over the next 5 years.
The initiative will also see investment from the NIHR, which on behalf of the Department of Health, will invest between £500,000 and £1 million a year over the same period.
The programme will look at how new technology might be developed to help reduce the impact of the threat of infectious diseases.
The Technology Strategy Board is working closely with the Department of Health and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and other organisations in both the public and private sector to prioritise the disease areas, and determine the product capabilities and specifications likely to have the greatest impact.