Views from academia The challenge of new Prof Roman Hovorka, prof of metabolic technology at the University of Cambridge, shares his experience navigating the innovation journey Making living with type 1 diabetes less complicated Type 1 diabetes is a serious lifelong condition that can strike at any age where an individuals blood glucose level is too high because their pancreas cannot make the hormone insulin. New technologies can reduce the resulting high disease burden, offering people with type 1 diabetes and their families the chance to think less about the condition. In March 2020, after 13 years of research, we launched CamAPS FX for people with type 1 diabetes with this aim. The CamAPS FX app uses glucose levels provided by a continuous glucose monitor and automatically adjusts the delivery of insulin via a pump, mimicking the key functions of a healthy pancreas to stabilise glucose levels. The user also has the option of easing off or boosting therapy as physiological demands require, such as during exercise. The app runs on a standard Android smartphone and feeds data to the cloud so that healthcare professionals and loved ones, including parents, can see their childrens levels at any time on their phones. Flexible approach Our original aim was to develop, protect and ultimately sell the Intellectual Property (IP), before commercialisation. However, the digital revolution gave us the opportunity to develop the new technology, commercialise the IP ourselves and realise our vision of the artificial pancreas as we had imagined it. This meant instead of just being responsible for the IP, we also had to fully educate ourselves in all aspects of product development including setting up a business, regulation and development of the app. The Eastern AHSN team were a breath of fresh air and quickly identified several gaps we needed to fill before we introduced our product to the NHS Navigating NHS pathways The difficulty with any innovation is that it is also unprecedented. We quickly learnt that it isnt just about having a great product, it is also about knowing how to navigate the NHS. Key to our success was the relationship we built with Louise Jopling and the team at Eastern AHSN. They were a breath of fresh air and quickly identified several gaps we needed to fill before we introduced our product to the NHS. Central was their financial and practical support in commissioning both a health economic assessment and an infographic to summarise the benefits. We knew we needed a health economic assessment but needed the expertise of the team at Eastern AHSN to guide us through the practicalities of how to do it and importantly how to present the results. The materials were delivered in a timely and efficient manner and have been key in outlining the efficacy and cost benefit of our app to NHS Trusts Prof Hovorkas tipstoacademics and Clinical Commissioning Groups. We have already secured reimbursement for B e flexible and adjust across the NHS. to change Immerse yourself in the space R ely on others and accept support B e patient the app from the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and have submitted the assessment data to several other trusts with the hope it will be adopted wider Overcoming the hurdles Reflecting on my experiences, I would say to be patient. There are many different facets to the NHS and there are many hurdles to overcome, but with a trusted network of people around you who you can rely on, launching an innovation is certainly achievable. Share this article Supporting you There are a wide range of resources on our website tailored to support academics in the innovation journey. Visit EasternAHSN.org Find out more about CamDiab and CamAPS FX at camdiab.com