Multi-million-pound funding will create the Greater Data Accelerator – to drive new treatments and innovations to patients faster and increase economic growth. 

The Greater Data Accelerator (GDA), led by Health Innovation Manchester (HInM), will receive £6.7 million to combine the city region’s population-scale health data, world-class research, industry partnerships and advanced analytics capabilities to accelerate the development and adoption of new medicines, diagnostics and digital technologies. 

The Greater Data Accelerator brings together the Greater Manchester’s unique strengths in population health data, advanced analytics, world‑class research and industry engagement capability which will accelerate the development, evaluation and adoption of new treatments, diagnostics and digital tools that improve health outcomes and drive economic growth in GM. 

Access to real-world evidence (RWE) is critical in providing insight from diverse, real-world patient populations, bridging the gap between controlled clinical trials and every day medical practice, and enabling discovery of active challenges in the health and care system and ways to navigate them. 

To realise the full potential of RWE, there is a need to reduce the time, cost and resource required to undertake data-driven research, while maintaining the highest standards of public trust, confidence and data safety.  

The GDA addresses these challenges by streamlining access to high-quality anonymised datasets in a secure environment, enabling faster, more efficient research that delivers meaningful benefits for patients, the health system and the wider economy. 

The LIPF is a flagship UK government programme – delivered through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) – investing up to £500 million to strengthen regional innovation economies across the country with the purpose of decentralising innovation and empowering regions like Greater Manchester to drive growth in their area. Health innovation and life sciences has been identified as one of the frontier sectors in Greater Manchester that has high growth potential over the next decade. 

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Portfolio Lead for Economy, Business and Inclusive Growth, said: “Through this significant investment in five pioneering projects, we will translate world-class research and innovation into new jobs and opportunities that benefit Greater Manchester’s businesses and residents. 

“By focusing on advanced materials and manufacturing, health innovation and AI, we are building on the strengths that already set our city region apart and creating the conditions for more businesses to innovate, scale and succeed here. This is the kind of investment and collaboration that helps us deliver long-term, inclusive growth, strengthening our economy and ensuring the benefits of innovation are felt right across Greater Manchester.” 

The GDA programme is being delivered through a strategic partnership of Health Innovation Manchester, the University of Manchester, IQVIA and UK Biobank, supported by AWS, JIVA AI and regional health and care system partners. Together, they bring internationally recognised expertise in data infrastructure, clinical research, analytics and innovation adoption to Greater Manchester. 

Ben Bridgewater, Chief Executive at Health Innovation Manchester said “This project builds on Greater Manchester’s expertise in health innovation and life sciences. By bringing together Greater Manchester’s data, research and innovation strengths and culture of industry partnership, we can get proven treatments and technologies to patients faster. The Greater Data Accelerator is about removing barriers, speeding up discovery and making sure people in our communities feel the benefits of innovation sooner.” 

Over five years, the GDA has the ambition to reduce data access timelines by 50%, deliver over 40 RWE studies, engage over 25 small to medium-sized enterprises in research and leverage £25–30m in private investment. Independent analysis forecasts £26.6m in direct economic impact of the investment in the GDA. 

By connecting discovery, research and real‑world implementation at scale, the Greater Data Accelerator will further enhance Greater Manchester as a world‑leading cluster for data‑driven health innovation.