The Innovation Observatory is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and hosted by Newcastle University. Established in 2017, we bring together expertise in research, data science and health innovation to identify and assess emerging healthcare innovations, helping health and care organisations prepare for the future.
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Like all successful organisations the Innovation Observatory is built on the collective effort of a multidisciplinary team.
We help the health and care ecosystem anticipate and prepare for the future.
Our governance arrangements ensure that priorities, resources and delivery are aligned to the needs of the health and care system while maintaining appropriate assurance and public accountability.
The NIHR Innovation Observatory identifies emerging innovations across the global healthcare landscape and transforms them into trusted intelligence that helps organisations anticipate change, make informed decisions and prepare for the future.
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Identifying today's emerging innovations to prepare for tomorrow's healthcare challenges
Building a connected, scalable infrastructure for the next generation of healthcare horizon scanning
Our four horizon scanning programmes span from Priority, Reactive, Proactive, and Demand Signalling. Find out more about how they all work together.
We are committed to building capability across the health and care system by developing skills, supporting careers and creating opportunities to learn, collaborate and grow.
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We develop and share cutting edge methods in horizon scanning, building capacity in the system across the public, voluntary and industry sectors.
We invest in people and support them in realising their full potential. Through nurturing and encouraging career development, we grow future national and international leaders.
Connecting the wider community with opportunities to learn, collaborate and develop through fellowships, immersion events, placements and external programmes.
We provide a gateway to collaboration, intelligence, and growth opportunities in healthcare and life sciences.
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Connecting with stakeholders across health and care to share knowledge, build relationships and support the effective use of our work.
Embedding lived experience into our work to ensure our approaches and outputs reflect the needs of patients and the public.
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April 2024
Live Dashboards
September 2023
Live Dashboards
December 2022
11 January 2022
Xeomin is in clinical development for the treatment of chronic sialorrhea associated with neurological disorders and/or intellectual disability in children and adolescents aged 2 to 17 years. Sialorrhea is excess saliva accumulation, usually due to problems swallowing, leading to drooling. Sialorrhea can lead to complications including skin infections and breathing problems, but also embarrassment and social isolation.
Xeomin is one formulation of botulinum neurotoxin type A. It is injected into salivary glands and reduces saliva production. Currently, it is recommended as a specialist option for treating sialorrhea in children and adolescents, but is not yet licensed for this indication. It is an alternative to anticholinergic drugs which are also used to reduce saliva flow, but which can have side effects in a number of patients. If licensed, Xeomin will offer an additional treatment option for chronic sialorrhea in children and adolescents aged 2 to 17 years.
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Technology Briefings
June 2020
Technology Briefings
October 2018