Science MinisterDavid Willetts has announced $80.6million of new investment in biomedical research. The Biomedical Catalyst is a scheme run jointly by the Medical Research Council and the U.K.’s innovation agency, the Technology Strategy Board, to find solutions to healthcare challenges. It supports the best life science opportunities in the U.K. to help speed up the transition from discovery science to commercial application.

More than 70 cutting-edge research projects have been chosen in the latest stage of Biomedical Catalyst funding. They include a blood test that could aid the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, a potential new gene therapy for Parkinson’s disease, an artificial blood substitute and a wearable blanket providing light therapy for jaundiced newborns.

Professor Sir John Savill, chief executive of the Medical Research Council said,“Since its inception, the Biomedical Catalyst has awarded over $285 million to U.K. scientists and businesses. This has been matched by an additional $163 million of private investment, with more likely to come as prospects are developed. The academic-industry partnerships forged through this investment will help to improve lives by delivering the next generation of innovative therapies and will help drive the U.K. economy.”

Other innovations being developed will tackle issues around the treatment of cancerous tumors, atrial fibrillation, hemophilia, eye disease, blood-borne infections, chronic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, youth obesity and Clostridium difficile.

Grant funding through the Biomedical Catalyst is available to academics and U.K. businesses (SMEs) looking to develop innovative solutions to healthcare challenges either individually or in collaboration. Support is available for projects arising from any sector or discipline.