The Cambridge Children’s Hospital (CCH) Innovation Hub won the Further, Faster Together category for industry and academic collaboration at the Cancer Research Horizons Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award this month.
The CCH Innovation Hub launched in September 2024, as a collaboration between Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University of Cambridge and Illumina to accelerate genomic diagnostics for children. By enabling access to the latest Illumina technology, the team has shown ultrafast turnaround whole-genome sequencing leads to improvements in clinical management in over 50% of cases of paediatric cancer.
The award celebrates the advancement of innovation (opens in a new tab) in oncology through successful collaboration between industry and academia. It highlights exemplary partnerships, licenses and knowledge exchange initiatives that drive progress in the field. The award comes with £5,000 to be spent on learning and development for the team.
Dr Aditi Vedi, Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and Chief Investigator of the winning project, said: “Our team is thrilled to have won this award and the recognition from Cancer Research Horizons. Our project is based on a unique partnership between the University of Cambridge Department of Paediatrics, the NHS, and Illumina to develop and evaluate novel technologies for patient benefit and seamlessly translate these into clinical practice.”
“The Ultrafast Whole Genome Sequencing study has demonstrated the potential clinical benefits of the constellation technology by accelerating precision diagnosis, enabling targeted treatments for children with cancer, and in many cases minimising over-medicalisation by avoiding treatment altogether. Thank you to the children and families who participated in the study.”
Sean Humphray, Senior Director, Application and Customer Enablement at Illumina said: “We are delighted that the partnership of this talented team has been recognised. Illumina’s constellation mapped read technology means researchers can unlock discoveries sooner in the most challenging parts of the genome supporting faster insights that may inform future research directions and potential therapeutic strategies, and we look forward to continuing, and expanding our collaboration to benefit researchers and ultimately patients.”
Based in the Department of Paediatrics at Cambridge University Hospitals, the Innovation Hub brings together Illumina and East Genomic Laboratory Hub, which provides genetic diagnosis for the NHS. Researchers treating common and rare diseases in children have pre-commercial access to help test new software and state-of the-art sequencing technology, including rapid whole-genome sequencing (WGS).
Co-investigator Professor David Rowitch said: “The new Cambridge Children’s Hospital will continue to work with industry to further enable access to cutting edge technologies locally and nationally for children with cancer, rare genetic diseases and complex chronic conditions.”
When Cambridge Children’s Hospital opens, the hub aims to relocate to the new Genomics Centre, one of six research centres within the Cambridge Children’s Research Institute. Genomic medicine uses a person’s DNA, or Genome, to inform their diagnosis, treatment and other healthcare.
The Ultrafast WGS study was funded by the Rosetrees Trust, Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust, Isaac Newton trust and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre.