Pioneering research to help arthritis sufferers

Randox Laboratories are committing half of the £1 million towards the pioneering work with the rest secured through the UK-wide Technology Strategy Board.

Speaking at the announcement of funding, Health Minister Edwin Poots said: “There is no test anywhere else in the world that allows us to identify patients who will respond to treatment and this puts us right at the forefront of research in this area.

“It means patients will have access to the correct treatment much earlier, we make better use of drugs and it will boost the local economy.”

He said that on October 24 last year he announced an additional £5million to purchase additional crucial drugs and treatments to improve patient care - including anti-TNF treatments for people with rheumatoid and other types of severe inflammatory arthritis.

“This has enabled additional patients to start treatment,” said Mr Poots. “I am determined to push further in 2012/13, to reduce waiting times for anti-TNF drugs for arthritis from the current nine months, to three months.

“Winning this funding is a clear indication of Northern Ireland’s ability to deliver improved health outcomes for patients on a world-stage. It is my objective to raise Northern Ireland’s reputation as a region for health innovation, technology and research.”

Dr Martin Crockard Project manager at Randox said: “Involvement of key rheumatologists is a major boost and will provide critical evaluation to ensure the test is fit for purpose. The funding will accelerate development of this test, create jobs at both centres of excellence and further enhance industrial, academic and clinical partnerships.”

Professor Tony Bjourson, Director of the Biomedical Sciences Research Institute said: “This is a medicine project that really is a fantastic example of the benefits for all concerned when academics in University of Ulster Biomedical Scientists and a highly innovative company such as Randox work together.

“This interaction between academics, clinicians, industry and of course patients working in partnership demonstrates how basic science discoveries made at the laboratory bench can be translated into clinical products that have real tangible impact for patients, the economy and society in general.”