NEWS
TRANSFORMING EARLy DETECTION OF CVD
Ulster University has secured £450,000 for research into cutting- edge wearable technologies that will continuously monitor blood pressure and heart rate, dramatically reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease across the globe.
The research is part of a £2.8 million connected health project funded by Horizon 2020 under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks scheme.
Connected health experts at Ulster University will develop two non- invasive devices that can be worn by patients over prolonged periods and do not require intervention from a medical professional such as a GP or nurse. The devices will allow patients to take control of their own health, enhance early detection of cardiovascular disease and decrease the risks of delayed treatment.
Current blood pressure monitoring systems use a cuff attached to the upper arm that slows the flow of blood, which can be uncomfortable and makes continuous monitoring impossible. The new blood pressure monitoring device will improve the speed and accuracy at which blood pressure readings can be captured through the development of advanced wearable sensor technology.
The team of experts at Ulster University will also research a separate wearable device to monitor heart rhythm and identify any irregularities that could be a sign of heart disease.
The research is being carried out as part of the Connected Health Early Stage Researcher Support System (CHESS), Europe's first connected health PhD training programme. The CHESS programme will deliver PhD training to 18 students from seven European countries.
Professor James McLaughlin, Director of the Engineering Research Institute at Ulster University said, "The University's research will enhance remote delivery of healthcare and encourage patients to take control of their own heart health. It will also increase the amount patient information available to clinicians without putting pressure on resources in hospitals and allow for more effective treatment.”
8
pharmacyinfocus.co.uk Showcasing local clinical innovation of innovation.
Launching the event, Dr Janice Bailie, PHA HSC R&D, said, “We, in the PHA’s R&D Division, are delighted to be working with so many colleagues and partners in showcasing the capability and capacity in Northern Ireland. Over the last seven years a growing proportion of our budget has been invested in creating clinical research networks and other supporting research infrastructure with the aim of providing a platform for Northern Ireland researchers to compete at a global level in health and social care research.
Scientific and medical personnel from the pharmaceutical industry, academia and health gathered in Belfast on Wednesday 7 and 8 October for the 2015 Northern Ireland Clinical Innovation Conference.
The event, opened by Dr Janice Bailie, Assistant Director of the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) HSC Research & Development Division, showcased Northern Ireland’s clinical and academic biomedical research capability, infrastructure and world class research outcomes, with the goal of increasing the number and scale of international medical research partnerships in Northern Ireland.
The 2015 event was jointly organised by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry Northern Ireland Innovation Group, Health and Social Care (HSC) Innovations, HSC
R&D Division of the PHA, Invest NI, Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University.
The inaugural event in 2014 resulted 8 new clinical studies being placed in Northern Ireland, with a further 18 research collaborations still in discussion.
These collaborations have the potential to boost Northern Ireland’s role as a global destination for clinical research and to contribute towards improved health for the population, as well as providing benefits to the local economy.
This year’s conference genda was designed to allow engagement, discussion and debate in a variety of workshops covering cardiology, cancer, respiratory, precision medicine and medicines optimisation, as well as accelerating adoption and diffusion
“I believe we have very much succeeded in that aim. We are more than ready to work with industry colleagues and there is always an open door to discuss how we might best do that together.”
Colette Goldrick, Director ABPI NI, who attended the event added, “Our industry seeks to develop research collaborations in countries with strong international networks, outstanding academic and clinical leadership and the ability to deliver globally applicable results quickly. Northern Ireland ticks all those boxes. Our job was to get international research leads here to see at first-hand what can be delivered, and it was exceptionally gratifying to see so many new and potentially exciting connections being made over the two days of the conference.”
Family that cycles together
Five members of Maghaberry Pharmacy’s Dr Kate McClelland cycled around Northern Ireland for the four- day challenge in honour of the late Tom McClelland, who died two years ago from the rare lung condition Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Sarah McClelland, Tom’s daughter, said, “Dad truly believed that cycling should be seen as ‘the norm’, not something that required specialist gear or expensive bikes.
“He was a tireless campaigner for ‘every day’ cycling – using the bike for journeys like popping to the shops, commuting to work or seeing friends.
“To celebrate dad’s life, we cycled the 425 miles wearing suits and dresses.”
Sarah cycled with her brothers, 42-year- old Matthew and 33-year-old James McClelland.
Her cousins Sam and Kitt Duss, aged also joined them. They set out to raise just over £400 but have already peddled past their target to reach almost £2,000.
Dr Kate McClelland and the late Tom McClelland
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