The Cancer Technology Catalyst is an initiative designed to expedite the journey of promising cancer technologies from concept to clinical impact. Led by a diverse team of experts, the Catalyst Team is committed to unlocking the full potential of innovative solutions and addressing the challenges inherent in bringing them to patients. By harnessing a collaborative Team Science approach, the Catalyst Team works closely with Principal Investigators and their team to develop comprehensive evidence packages that not only inform robust value propositions for cancer technologies but also strategically position them for successful clinical integration.

 

 

Addressing Research Waste and Bridging the Gap

 

At the heart of the Catalyst Team's mission is the reduction of research waste and the acceleration of translational research. The team's multidisciplinary expertise, including Implementation science, Health Economics, and Translation Research ensures a coordinated effort to streamline technology development, clinical trial planning, and integration into clinical practice. This orchestrated approach minimises delays, anticipates challenges, and fosters the attainment of key milestones required for regulatory approvals and investor engagement.

 

Key Support Activities:

 

The Catalyst Team provides a range of critical support activities to catalyse progress:

 

  • Clinical Positioning and Impact. The Catalyst Team offers a unique value proposition through clinical positioning. By strategically aligning cancer technologies with clinical needs and pathways, the team ensures that innovations not only meet scientific benchmarks but are also primed for successful adoption in real-world healthcare settings. This clinical focus maximises the potential for meaningful patient outcomes and ensures that research efforts culminate in tangible benefits for individuals and healthcare systems alike.
  • Co-design and Implementation Planning. Provides expertise in intervention design, development and implementation for all research study designs. This includes developing and/or applying methods and strategies to embed within research grants and study protocols to optimise the potential uptake and embedding of the cancer technologies into clinical practice. Services also include providing support for process evaluation designs to embed within clinical trials and other research study designs. 
  • Early Health Economics and Health Technology Assessments. Rigorous analysis quantifies the impact of cancer technologies on outcomes and costs, utilising cost-effectiveness models, budget impact assessments, and Burden of Disease Models to project potential benefits and savings in real-world clinical settings.
  • Statistical Analysis and Clinical Trial Planning. Collaborating with our clinical partners, the team provides guidance on experimental design, statistical methodologies, and analytic models to optimise the scientific rigor and clinical relevance of research studies.

The Cancer Technology Catalyst embodies a collaborative and forward-thinking approach that bridges the gap between cutting-edge research and transformative clinical solutions. By reducing waste, accelerating translation, and strategically positioning innovations within clinical contexts, the Catalyst Team empowers PIs and commercial partners to drive impactful change in cancer care and treatment.

 

The Team

 


Learn more:

 

 

Health economics
Under construction

 

 

 

Project Selection Process

 

The Cancer Technology Catalyst supports up to five innovative projects annually through a rigorous multi-stage selection process aimed at advancing impactful cancer technologies. Here's how the selection unfolds:

 

Stage 1:

Proposal Receipt and Admissibility/Eligibility Check Submitted projects undergo thorough checks for admissibility and eligibility. Admissibility ensures completeness, readability, and adherence to specific page/word limits, while eligibility aligns with the Centre's research themes and translational nature. Requirements include a Plain English summary, a plan for results dissemination, and partnership representation spanning engineering, physical sciences, life sciences, and medicine.

 

Stage 2:

Review and Scoring Projects progress through a three-step review and scoring process:

  1. Individual Evaluation: Independent experts score applications against evaluation criteria, providing insights and comments.
  2. Consensus Group: Experts evaluating the same proposal collaborate to reach a collective position, aided by a moderator ensuring fair and comprehensive assessment.
  3. Panel Review: An expert panel reviews scores, comments, and ranks proposals. Hearings may occur, offering Lead Applicants an opportunity to provide clarifications.

 

Stage 3:

Outcome of Evaluation The Executive Management Committee and Research Subcommittee review the panel's ranked proposals, selecting those for potential funding based on budget availability. A reserve list accommodates projects if funding allows. Rejections occur if proposals are inadmissible, fall short of thresholds, lack ethics clearance, or raise safety concerns.

 

 

Evaluation Criteria Each application is evaluated against criteria including Commercialization Potential, Clinical Impact, Dissemination and Exploitation Activities, Proof-of-Concept Potential, and Follow-On Investment Prospects. This meticulous process ensures that selected projects hold significant promise for transforming cancer care and achieving meaningful patient impact.

 

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