This search function provides links to outputs produced by NIHR Innovation Observatory. These are briefing notes or reports on new or repurposed technologies. This search will not return all technologies currently in development as these outputs are produced as required for our stakeholders.
May 2020
NIHR Innovation Observatory Soft Intelligence Squad
About The NIHR Innovation Observatory’s Soft Intelligence Squad (NIHRIO SIS) are monitoring, tracking, and analysing ‘soft intelligence’ to explore health impacts. Mobilised in March 2020, the group are using novel text mining and machine learning techniques, involving sentiment detection, analysis, and classification, to help extract and synthesise meaningful insights from the ‘public voice’. Led and …
April 2020
*Use the arrows at the bottom of the dashboard to move through the pages *To clear filters use eraser icon alongside the name of the filter *For multiple selection in the drop downs, press and hold CTRL *To navigate in the map, click on the country (continue to hover to see numbers of trials; graph …
April 2020
*Use the arrows at the bottom of the dashboard to move through the pages *To clear filters use eraser icon alongside the name of the filter * For multiple selection in the drop downs, press and hold CTRL We cannot guarantee the completeness of this list at the time of viewing, but are working actively …
Drugs
November 2020
Olaparib in addition to abiraterone for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer – First line
Olaparib is administered orally in tablet form and can lead to cancer cell death by blocking DNA repair by an enzyme (protein) called PARP. By blocking PARP enzymes, the damaged DNA in cancer cells cannot be repaired, and the cells die. Abiraterone works by stopping the body making testosterone which subsequently stops the cancer growing. If licensed, this combination would provide a first-line treatment for men with mCRPC.
Drugs
November 2020
Ranibizumab port delivery system for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration
Ranibizumab is a type of antibody that is targeted against a particular protein. Ranibizumab has been designed to attach to and block a substance called vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). VEGF-A is a protein that makes blood vessels grow and leak fluid and blood, damaging the macula (the central part of the retina). By blocking VEGF-A, ranibizumab reduces the growth of the blood vessels and controls the leakage and swelling. The port delivery system (PDS) will include a device which is permanently surgically implanted in the eye and filled with a special formulation of ranibizumab; this will reduce the amount of hospital visits required and reduce the burden of repeat intravitreal injections. If licensed, this technology will provide an additional treatment option for patients with nAMD.
Drugs
November 2020
Faricimab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration
Faricimab is an antibody given by intravitreal injection that binds to both VEGF-A and angiopoietin-2 which results in blood vessels becoming more stable, leaking less blood and fluid and reduced inflammation. Faricimab has been shown in clinical trials to have an extended durability compared to other anti-VEGF agents so fewer injections will be required. If licensed, faricimab will offer an additional treatment option for patients with neovascular AMD.
Drugs
November 2020
Brolucizumab for visual impairment due to diabetic macular oedema
Brolucizumab is in clinical development for the treatment of visual impairment due to diabetic macular oedema (DMO). DMO is a condition affecting the retina, the nerve layer at the back of the eye. The central part of the retina known as the macula, is responsible for fine detail vision, both for near (reading) and for distance. In patients with DMO, the fine meshwork of blood vessels supplying nutrients and oxygen to the macula become damaged and leaky due to the high levels of glucose in the bloodstream in some patients with diabetes. If left untreated, the leakage will potentially permanently damage the retinal nerve cells and eventually produce scarring, which can be irreversible.
Drugs
November 2020
rAAVrh74.MHCK7.micro-dystrophin for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
rAAVrh74.MHCK7.micro-dystrophin is a medicinal product in clinical development for the treatment of children aged 3 months to 7 years with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DMD is a rare progressive neuromuscular disorder caused by a gene mutation (change). DMD is caused by an absence of dystrophin, a protein that helps keep muscle cells intact. It affects …
Drugs
November 2020
Tideglusib for congenital myotonic dystrophy
Tideglusib is being development for the treatment of congenital myotonic dystrophy type 1 (CMD1). CMD1 is a form of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), a rare, genetically determined neuromuscular disorder. CMD1 begins at or around the time of birth and is characterised by severe muscle weakness, cognitive impairment and other developmental abnormalities. The condition usually occurs when the mother already has DM1 and then it is passed on to her child in a more severe form. CMD1 is typically associated with significant medical morbidity and early death. No specific treatment is currently on offer, although supportive care to manage symptoms is available.
Drugs
November 2020
Polatuzumab vedotin in addition to R-CHP for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma – first line
Polatuzumab vedotin is a first-in-class drug specifically developed for the treatment of cancers that affect the blood and lymph system. It is an antibody that binds to CD79b, which is a protein on the surface of cancerous B-cells. It is administered as an intravenous infusion, absorbed by the cancer cells and the chemotherapy agent linked to the antibody releases inside the cancer cells, stops them from dividing and kills them. If licenced polatuzumab vedotin in addition to R-CHP would offer an additional treatment option for patients with untreated DLBCL.