During the last six months, the innovation lab, a specialist NHS laboratory hosted by Newcastle Hospitals, has linked with over 50 private sector partners in the UK and abroad, to accelerate the development and implementation of new, cutting-edge Covid-19 tests.
The lab’s team of specialist scientists who are working with small, medium and large companies to evaluate the accuracy and effectiveness of innovative approaches.
Linking with our regional NHS Lighthouse lab, the team has built a significant ‘biobank’ of Covid samples, which are essential to check the validity of new testing methods and technology.
Dr John Tyson, head of the innovation lab, said:
“It’s been an exciting and interesting six months.
“We’ve been working with partners from private industry across the UK and internationally to test and validate their ideas and innovations, with the overall aim of making new Covid diagnostics a reality as quickly as possible.
“We can see the pandemic isn’t going away soon and we want to get a step ahead of Covid-19, as well as increase resilience for fighting any future viruses.
“The cutting edge technology we’re testing in the lab could soon make its way into mainstream testing laboratories around the world.”
The innovation lab is part of the NHS Integrated Covid Hub North East.
For more media information contact Julie Marsh on 07523 939346
Note to editors
The integrated Covid hub is the first of its kind in the country and places the region at the forefront of managing the Covid-19 virus, through:
- increased testing capacity – via our purpose-built Lighthouse lab at Baltic Park in Gateshead.
- accelerating development of new methods of virus testing – led by our innovation lab which connects the NHS, industry and universities.
- strong collaboration and coordination between local authorities and the NHS, including sharing data, insight and resources to manage outbreaks.
