Transforming Health Together: University of Liverpool and Roche Diagnostics

The University of Liverpool and Roche Diagnostics Limited have formed a transformative partnership to enhance health outcomes and promote prosperity across the Liverpool City Region and beyond.

Formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), this strategic collaboration builds on many years of joint working and focuses on key areas, such as biomarker development, population health, digital health technologies, and laboratory automation. Together, the University and Roche are creating new opportunities to tackle global health challenges while addressing local health inequalities, firmly placing innovation at the heart of community wellbeing.

Our partnership with Roche Diagnostics is a shining example of how industry and academia can come together to drive meaningful innovation, by combining cutting-edge research with real-world applications, we are advancing healthcare solutions and making a tangible difference in patients’ lives.

_{Professor Louise Kenny, Executive Pro Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the University}

At the centre of this evolving relationship is a Healthcare Charter Partnership - a shared commitment to uniting NHS Trusts, local government, industry, and the public in addressing some of the region’s most pressing health challenges, including cardiovascular disease, multimorbidity, and persistent health inequalities driven by social and economic factors.

Real-World Impact, Collaborative Innovation

A standout example of this work is the EYE-CAN-AID (Eye Cancer Artificial Intelligence Digital Bioresource) initiative, launched in March 2025. Led by Professor Sarah Coupland and supported by Roche Diagnostics technology, this national resource links rare eye tumour data from centres across the UK to improve early detection and treatment.

Looking to the future, the University’s Civic Health Innovation Labs (CHIL) will collaborate with Roche to establish the world’s first design studio dedicated to real-world diagnostic solutions, aimed at maximising the use of NHS data to enable earlier testing and better follow-up care, particularly for vulnerable patients.

We’re excited to work with Roche to find smarter, faster ways to diagnose conditions when treatment is most effective. This means coordinating data and diagnostics to support earlier, more equitable care.

_{Professor Iain Buchan, Director of CHIL}

A Growing Ecosystem of Partners

The Charter Partnership represents a significant step forward in cross-sector collaboration, with many organisations already on board. This includes:

The collaboration also aligns with the goals of the Liverpool City Region Health and Life Sciences Innovation Zone (part of the Government’s national Investment Zone Programme), supporting economic growth through joint programmes, centres of excellence, and skills development.

By collaborating within an ecosystem that includes the NHS, public health bodies, local authorities, the private sector, and patient advocacy groups, we can drive further meaningful change and achieve more, faster, together.

_{Geoff Twist, General Manager of Roche Diagnostics UK & Ireland}

Setting the Direction Together 

Our first Charter Partnership meeting brought together Charter Partners from across the region to shape the shared vision behind this initiative. Framed by the health landscape in Liverpool and the need to address cardiovascular disease, the session contextualised our focus on coronary artery disease, heart failure and stroke.  

Partners took part in breakout discussions, exploring what is already happening across the Liverpool City Region and identifying future opportunities for impact. These meetings are designed to be inclusive, open and collaborative, offering a space for partners to contribute their expertise, build connections, and help guide our collective progress. 

A Shared Mission for Health and Prosperity

Together with our partners, we are establishing Liverpool as a hub of health innovation that attracts talent, investment, and opportunity. Our goal is not only to improve healthcare, but to build a thriving, healthier future for everyone in our city and region.

_{Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool}