When COVID-19 emerged, the health and care system faced an unprecedented challenge. New diagnostics and therapeutics were being developed at extraordinary speed, creating an urgent need for reliable, up-to-date intelligence to support decision-making.
The NIHR Innovation Observatory responded by developing two interactive dashboards that provided a real-time view of the rapidly evolving innovation landscape. Together, they tracked more than 3,000 diagnostics and therapeutics from around the world, helping national stakeholders understand emerging developments, monitor trends and identify innovations with the potential to alleviate testing and treatment pressures.
COVID-19 Diagnostics Dashboard
Between March 2020 and February 2023, the Observatory’s Medical Devices team applied advanced horizon scanning methods to create a comprehensive global dataset of SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic tests. Covering molecular and immunological diagnostics, the dashboard tracked technologies from development through to commercialisation, alongside regulatory status, sample type and country of origin.
Monthly intelligence reports were shared with NHS England, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and national oversight groups, supporting prioritisation and preparedness throughout the pandemic.
Key features
- Global database of COVID-19 diagnostic technologies
- Continuous monitoring of technological and regulatory developments
- Monthly intelligence provided to national stakeholders
- Analysis of innovation trends across geographical regions
View the dashboard: COVID-19 Diagnostics Dashboard
Related publication: COVID-19 Impact on Diagnostic Innovations: Emerging Trends and Implications
COVID-19 Therapeutics Dashboard
Alongside diagnostics, the Observatory developed a dashboard tracking medicinal products, vaccines and other therapeutic interventions entering clinical trials for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19.
The dashboard enabled users to explore clinical trial activity across the globe, filtering by intervention type, trial location and registration date to provide an up-to-date picture of the evolving therapeutic landscape. This supported organisations in understanding the pace and direction of innovation during a rapidly changing public health emergency.
Key features
- Global clinical trial landscape for COVID-19 therapeutics and vaccines
- Interactive exploration of trial activity and intervention types
- Real-time monitoring of emerging treatments
- Supporting evidence for planning and future preparedness
View the dashboard: COVID-19 Therapeutics Dashboard
