Partnership marks boost for digital health technology

Proteus Digital Health is partnering with Eastern Academic Health Science Network (EAHSN), The Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA), Oxford University, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust and Oxford Academic Health Science Network (OAHSN) to bring digital health technology and global operations and manufacturing to the UK.

Each of the organisations will team up with Proteus Digital Health to assess the value of digital medicines in supporting patients’ medication-taking behaviours and daily activity while realising significant cost savings.

This move signifies a new economic opportunity and the growing momentum of transformational healthcare technology in the UK

Proteus Digital Health intends to employ 200 highly-skilled individuals at its first international manufacturing site in the UK. The international manufacturing facility will serve as a new hub for the global digital medicines industry, transferring significant investment and know-how to the UK.

“I’m delighted that Proteus Digital Health is establishing its first international manufacturing site here in Britain, creating 200 highly-skilled jobs,” said Prime Minister, David Cameron.

“It’s proof that our work to attract high-tech business to the UK is providing real benefits for people at home – all part of our long-term economic plan.”

The partnership was facilitated by NHS England and the Life Science Investment Organisation (LSIO) of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).

“This partnership will clearly benefit patients, the NHS and the economy,” said Miles Ayling, director of innovation at NHS England.

"Our lives are becoming increasingly digital, a variety of sectors have already undergone fundamental changes through the introduction of innovative digital approaches,” added Dr Hakim Yadi, chief executive officer of the Northern Health Science Alliance.

“Healthcare is clearly the next sector to benefit from such changes and we are delighted to be working with Proteus to pioneer the use of this technology at scale in the North of England to the benefit of patients and the NHS."

Proteus Digital Health is working to create a new category of products, services and data systems that have the potential to significantly improve the effectiveness of existing pharmaceutical treatments. Called digital medicines, these new pharmaceuticals will contain a tiny sensor that communicates with a patch to deliver vital information about an individual’s medication-taking behaviour and how their body is responding to therapy.

“The technology platform Proteus offers will allow digital health to become a reality, giving patients a role in managing their disease and allowing the management of chronic disease and drug compliance to be delivered in a much more cost-effective way,” said Sir John Bell, regius professor of medicine at Oxford University.

The technology platform Proteus offers will allow digital health to become a reality, giving patients a role in managing their disease and allowing the management of chronic disease and drug compliance to be delivered in a much more cost-effective way

“Oxford University and the Oxford Academic Health Science Network look forward to collaborating with Proteus to bring these exciting technologies to patients and improve their health.”

“Some patients have trouble taking their medicines for a host of different reasons, which may result in decreased effect of the therapy and unnecessary costs,” said Dr Robert Winter, managing director of the EAHSN.

“Through this partnership, we will explore both the clinical and economic value of digital health technology in the treatment of hypertension.”

Andrew Thompson, president and chief executive officer of Proteus Digital Health, added: “This marks an important milestone in the emergence of the global digital medicines industry. We are honoured to be working with leaders who are positioning the UK and NHS at the forefront of digital innovation in healthcare by delivering tools that empower patients and their families.”

And Dr Mark Treherne, chief executive of UKTI’s LSIO added: “This move signifies a new economic opportunity and the growing momentum of transformational healthcare technology in the UK. Having a company of Proteus Digital Health calibre operating in the UK is a huge testament to the life science ecosystem and the global lead that the UK takes in supporting the adoption of new innovative products.”