A £34.7 MILLION project launching later this month at the Northern Institute for Cancer Research in England will aim to create better treatment outcomes for patients with blood disorders.
The HARMONY project will utilise anonymous patient data to gain a better understanding of a range of disorders. These will include: multiple myeloma, acute myeloid leukaemia, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, and non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
The project is funded through the Innovative Medicines Initiative, which facilitates between the public and private sectors towards the development of better and new medicines for patients. The project will consist of 51 partners from 11 European countries, involving academics, clinicians, patient organisations, and the pharmaceutical industry.
According to a statement released by Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK, where the Northern Institute for Cancer Research is based: “HARMONY will develop a data sharing platform that comprises of different layers of information, empowering experts to improve decision-making by providing a means for analysing complex data and identifying specific markers for effective therapies.”
Prof Anthony Moorman at the Northern Institute for Cancer Research will lead the project’s investigations into childhood leukaemia. In the statement, Prof Moorman said: “The key aims of HARMONY are to create a framework for data sharing and promote an ethos of collaboration across the full spectrum of blood cancers.
“The fact that the scope of the project is broad and encompasses all blood cancers will help clinical research, something that would simply not be possible with the way things currently work.
“The main objectives of this project are to improve patient management and outcome by generating high-quality datasets, which can use sophisticated analytical methods to identify new treatment options.”
Jack Redden, Reporter
