# Competition: point of care diagnostics at the front line

Source: https://www.keypedia.com/records/uk_mhra_guidance/uk-mhra/8443cb69-6d7c-4b08-b8b2-6b9c62a1c84e
Type: Notice
Published: July 22, 2019
Updated: July 30, 2019

> The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has issued a funding call for innovative ‘Point of Care’ (PoC) diagnostic technologies to identify individuals exposed to chemical and biological hazards. Currently, diagnostic capabilities are limited by time-consuming processes, high resource demands, and a reliance on specialized laboratory facilities. To improve clinical outcomes, DASA is seeking rapid, portable devices capable of providing high-confidence identification in austere environments. The regulatory and funding framework for this initiative provides up to £500,000 to support multiple projects reaching up to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6, with potential follow-on funding for further development. While the document does not list company violations or traditional inspections, it identifies the critical gap in frontline medical response as the primary issue to be addressed. Required actions for interested organizations include submitting technical proposals by the competition deadline of midday on 26 September 2019. All inquiries regarding the application process should be directed to the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) via the accelerator's official contact channels.

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## Content

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is seeking proposals for innovative ‘Point of Care’ (PoC) diagnostics technologies that provide information to enable clinicians and medical professionals to provide earlier diagnosis and ultimately improve the treatment and long-term health outcomes of individuals exposed to chemical and biological hazards. Technologies that enable rapid diagnosis of individuals exposed to biological or chemical agents are currently limited. They are time-consuming, resource intensive, provide a limited identification capability and frequently rely on reach back to laboratory facilities to achieve a high confidence output. Development of novel, enhanced PoC diagnostic devices that can be used rapidly, as close to the patient as possible, and potentially in austere locations represent an attractive solution to this problem. Total funding of up to £500k is available for this phase to fund multiple proposals at a range of Technology Readiness Levels (up to TRL 6). Additional funding for further phases of work to develop lower TRL technologies towards a higher TRL is potentially available. Full details are available in the competition document. The competition closes at midday (BST) on 26 September 2019 . Queries should be sent to accelerator@dstl.gov.uk .

## Attachments

- [Competition document: point of care diagnostics at the front line](/government/publications/competition-point-of-care-diagnostics-at-the-front-line/competition-document-point-of-care-diagnostics-at-the-front-line)
- [Point of Care diagnostics at the Front Line SC (Innovation) - Terms](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5d3092dd40f0b64a832c7e96/20190716-SCI-POC_Medical_Diagnotics_Phase_1_-_Terms.pdf)
- [Point of Care diagnostics for the Front Line SC (Innovation) - Schedules](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5d3092af40f0b64a7c3e9090/20190716-SCI-POC_Medical_Diagnotics_Phase_1_-_Schedules.pdf)