Japan-UK collaboration to develop digital solutions for dementia

A new collaborative research agreement has been announced by Japanese pharmaceutical firm Eisai, Gates Ventures, Health Data Research UK (HDR UK), LifeArc, and The University of Edinburgh. This initiative, known as NEURii, aims to revolutionise brain health by leveraging collaboration in therapeutics, technology development, commercialisation, health data management, and advanced analytics/data science. The goal of NEURii is to predict, protect, and promote brain health through the creation of data-driven digital solutions.

This research agreement represents a significant advancement in the field of dementia diagnosis and the development of effective solutions for individuals at risk of developing the disease.

To achieve its objectives, this groundbreaking collaboration will utilise high-quality individual data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) techniques. By initially focusing on pilot projects originating from renowned academic centres in the UK, NEURii aims to develop patient-centric digital health solutions while upholding data security and maintaining public trust.

NEURii will integrate diverse digital biomarkers that can be obtained non-invasively from real-world clinical and non-clinical settings, such as speech from conversations. These biomarkers, combined with the extensive and reliable medical data accumulated in the UK, will be analysed using tailored AI algorithms to create innovative digital solutions. The deployment of these solutions will enhance the detection, monitoring, and treatment of dementia patients, thereby improving their lives and reducing the burden on their caregivers and families.

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