Cancer Life Science

Descriptions

The project reference is C395670 and the closing date for submission of the completed Expression of Interest is open until 17:00pm, on Friday 6th February 2026.

Expression of interest request for Academic Partners

Midlands Life Science Hub

Partnership in Action. Innovation with Impact

Engagement

The Midlands Life Science Hub has been commissioned by the Cancer Alliances to establish a partnership function, this has been a successful program, resulting in over 30 organisations expressing interest to work with the Hub and Cancer Alliances. We are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity to collaborate and partner with the Life Science Hub, hosted by University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) and Midlands Cancer Alliances in support of the Midlands cancer strategy and programme. Our initiative aims to accelerate progress towards earlier cancer performance targets across the Midlands, while establishing a robust framework to support the scaling and adoption of innovative solutions within the NHS now and the future. The Midlands Cancer Alliances cover the East and West Midlands, for around 11million people and 23 NHS Trusts, 5 ICB clusters. The Cancer Alliances role is to enable improvement in access to integrated cancer care services, through developing clinically led innovation, performance improvement programs, across the Region with a strong focus on transfer of best practice and peer support. As part of this programme, the Life Science Hub in collaboration with the Midlands Cancer Alliances is inviting organisations to engage as Academic Partners (AP), contributing specialist research capability to defined improvement opportunities across cancer pathways. We believe that by harnessing a diverse range of expertise, we can drive meaningful transformation in cancer care and outcomes. Key points include: • Driving Early Diagnosis & Screening Innovations • Improving Diagnostic Pathways via Evidence-Based Design • Embedding Digital & AI Tools Safely • Reducing Health Inequalities Through Data & Behavioural Science • Building Workforce Capacity & New Skills • Informing Alliance-Level Planning and Decision-Making • Contributing specific expertise to targeted challenge areas across the Alliances. • Working collaboratively with system partners to evaluate, refine, and implement solutions. • Supporting a structured model designed to help proven innovations scale effectively within the NHS. • No investment requirement, ensuring accessibility for all partners. We recognise the importance of linking clinical and academic input from the outset, and we are keen to engage with clinicians, academics, and organisations with relevant expertise. Several universities already hold government-funded grants in the cancer space, and there is ongoing research beyond biopharma, including technology tools and business-focused support, which could broaden the scope of opportunity. Reducing the gap between scientific/clinical teams and the business side remains a priority for us. The aim of this initiative is to maximise the potential from the NHS, Academia , Industry and wider third sectors into innovation and transformation programs to achieve the ambition for our patients and populations. The hub provides a place where clinical teams, leaders, academics, and innovators are able to come together to understand the challenges faced and identify solutions that can provide impact. This is not a procurement exercise, but a collaboration of experts who will build evidence for future commercial decision making A core element of this vision is the focus on adoption and spread at scale across the Midlands for proven interventions and care models. Together, we drive innovation in cancer and other major disease areas - uniting the NHS and industry to turn bold ideas into real-world impact for patients and communities. Our primary objective is to accelerate delivery of the NHS planning targets by working together, allowing us to treat more patients and expand diagnostic capacity to reach this aim Anticipated Benefits to Academic Partners The NHS seeks to benefit from this program by bringing fresh thinking to bear to challenges faced by our health systems partners and front-line clinical teams. This program aims to deliver added value beyond the existing transformations underway, and adding additional capacity, capabilities to realise impact for patients. This program gives an opportunity for Academic partners to co-develop research and development projects in the key challenge areas presented by clinical teams, it provides a unique opportunity to coalesce knowledge creation and application alongside front line teams and industry partners working with the Hub. Engagement opportunities The Hub offers leadership calls for a 121 discussion and question /answer on this opportunity Book a call request https://outlook.office.com/book/agemCancerAllianceHubCancerAllianceHub@nhs.onmicrosoft.com/?ismsaljsauthenabled Webinar briefing 21st January 10-30 to 11-30 am - please use the link below to register for this event lifescience hub - academic partner briefing https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/b76f4ade-ac9b-48b3-92b9-4ef9e8ff0f36@37c354b2-85b0-47f5-b222-07b48d774ee3 Academic Partner response- expression of interest A clear outline of the capabilities proposed and the benefits envisaged. Plus details of the resources that you would bring to alongside the NHS and Industry partners in this program Response is open at all times up until 17:00pm on the 6th February 2026 when this Expression of Interest closes Partners are invited to complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) proforma using the link below https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=slTDN7CF9UeyIge0jXdO410YGs_6teBAixqGKw2j_qNURVlPV05QMUgyUTYyMzNTRjJHR0lESkNRNC4u&route=shorturl Expression of Interest for an Academic Partner : Cancer in the Midlands, Life Science Hub – Fill in form Matching criteria will be used to assess any expression of interest will add value. This process however seeks to be inclusive and where possible match capabilities to the right need, rather than excluding a valuable contribution. https://sway.cloud.microsoft/BvEoNHSrbHfMhs3r?ref=Link Matching Criteria - Supporting Information An interested party that achieves 40% or more will be invited to the next stage of this process. Clarification log Please attend the briefing event to gain further information, we would be happy to set up a call and hold individual meeting to discuss further please feel free to request/book a call. Any partner with specific questions or queries can do this on by using clarification form link https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=slTDN7CF9UeyIge0jXdO410YGs_6teBAixqGKw2j_qNUOEhSNE1FUVE3TkoxWU1LSkZKTVpZMDBBUi4u&route=shorturl Contract Value Total Value (Estimated) £1.00 excluding VAT £1.20 including VAT Below the relevant threshold