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Lung Research and Innovation Group publish ten-step plan to fix lung health

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Today (9 May 2024) the Lung Research and Innovation Group (LRIG), of which Cystic Fibrosis Trust is a member, have published a ten-step plan to fix lung health by improving respiratory research and innovation. 

The LRIG is made up of expert researchers and organisations who aim to encourage progress and investment in lung research, and deliver better outcomes for people living with a lung condition.

The ten steps are:

  1. Promote the urgent need to progress respiratory research and innovation.
  2. Identify and communicate top-level research goals.
  3. Create a platform for lung health research (linking data cohorts).
  4. Urgently develop better diagnostic and monitoring tools for lung conditions.
  5. Shift our current research approach to develop earlier intervention.
  6. Develop new treatments for lung conditions.
  7. Accelerate inclusive recruitment to clinical trials.
  8. Speed up the early adoption and roll out of new diagnostic and intervention technologies.
  9. Drive stronger collaboration across the sector.
  10. Invest in the brightest minds.

You can read the full report here

Image of the report

Investment and innovation in lung health is critical for people with cystic fibrosis, a life-long genetic condition without a cure. Cystic Fibrosis Trust invests in cutting-edge research, supports clinical trials and develops sector-leading partnerships such as the UK Cystic Fibrosis Innovation Hub but further action is needed. That’s why we are delighted to launch and support these recommendations, as part of the Lung Research and Innovation Group, and call on government, industry and others to work with us to urgently accelerate lung health research.

Dr Lucy Allen, Director of Research and Healthcare Data at Cystic Fibrosis Trust

Professor Ian Hall, FMedSci, co-Chair of Lung Research and Innovation Group: "Lung conditions are the UK's 3rd biggest killer, but just 2.5% of public medical research funding goes towards research to improve diagnosis, treatments, and self-management tools, and save people’s lives. I am delighted that experts across the sector have come together with a united voice, as the Lung Research and Innovation Group, to agree what needs to change. This group has identified 10 priorities which need to be taken seriously by the current and next government to fix the lung research pipeline and fix the nation’s lung health. We need a shift in perspective and a significant increase in investment in lung research and innovation to match the burden these diseases have on people’s lives, the health service, and the UK economy."