Planning

Cancer Life Science

UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF LEICESTER NHS TRUST

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

17 Dec 2025 at 18:05

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust is inviting expressions of interest from Academic Partners for an innovative collaboration with the Midlands Life Science Hub and Midlands Cancer Alliances. This initiative aims to drive advancements in cancer care across the East and West Midlands, affecting approximately 11 million people. The project's planning stage includes key activities such as early diagnosis innovations, embedding digital tools, and reducing health inequalities. The expression of interest for potential partners closes at 17:00 on 6th February 2026. Organisations interested in participating can attend a webinar briefing on 21st January 2026 to learn more about the collaborative opportunities available.

This initiative represents a unique opportunity for academic and business entities focused on research and development within the cancer care sector. The programme is particularly well suited for organisations with expertise in screening innovations, diagnostics, and digital health solutions. The platform allows participants to collaborate with NHS Trusts and Cancer Alliances, and engage in co-development projects that promise substantial impact on patient care. The programme is open to partners with diverse capabilities, aiming to foster inclusive participation to maximise the scope of transformation across the health sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Cancer Life Science

Notice Description

The project reference is C395670 and the closing date for submission of the completed Expression of Interest is open until 17:00pm, on Friday 6th February 2026. Expression of interest request for Academic Partners Midlands Life Science Hub Partnership in Action. Innovation with Impact

Planning Information

The Midlands Life Science Hub has been commissioned by the Cancer Alliances to establish a partnership function, this has been a successful program, resulting in over 30 organisations expressing interest to work with the Hub and Cancer Alliances. We are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity to collaborate and partner with the Life Science Hub, hosted by University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) and Midlands Cancer Alliances in support of the Midlands cancer strategy and programme. Our initiative aims to accelerate progress towards earlier cancer performance targets across the Midlands, while establishing a robust framework to support the scaling and adoption of innovative solutions within the NHS now and the future. The Midlands Cancer Alliances cover the East and West Midlands, for around 11million people and 23 NHS Trusts, 5 ICB clusters. The Cancer Alliances role is to enable improvement in access to integrated cancer care services, through developing clinically led innovation, performance improvement programs, across the Region with a strong focus on transfer of best practice and peer support. As part of this programme, the Life Science Hub in collaboration with the Midlands Cancer Alliances is inviting organisations to engage as Academic Partners (AP), contributing specialist research capability to defined improvement opportunities across cancer pathways. We believe that by harnessing a diverse range of expertise, we can drive meaningful transformation in cancer care and outcomes. Key points include: • Driving Early Diagnosis & Screening Innovations • Improving Diagnostic Pathways via Evidence-Based Design • Embedding Digital & AI Tools Safely • Reducing Health Inequalities Through Data & Behavioural Science • Building Workforce Capacity & New Skills • Informing Alliance-Level Planning and Decision-Making • Contributing specific expertise to targeted challenge areas across the Alliances. • Working collaboratively with system partners to evaluate, refine, and implement solutions. • Supporting a structured model designed to help proven innovations scale effectively within the NHS. • No investment requirement, ensuring accessibility for all partners. We recognise the importance of linking clinical and academic input from the outset, and we are keen to engage with clinicians, academics, and organisations with relevant expertise. Several universities already hold government-funded grants in the cancer space, and there is ongoing research beyond biopharma, including technology tools and business-focused support, which could broaden the scope of opportunity. Reducing the gap between scientific/clinical teams and the business side remains a priority for us. The aim of this initiative is to maximise the potential from the NHS, Academia , Industry and wider third sectors into innovation and transformation programs to achieve the ambition for our patients and populations. The hub provides a place where clinical teams, leaders, academics, and innovators are able to come together to understand the challenges faced and identify solutions that can provide impact. This is not a procurement exercise, but a collaboration of experts who will build evidence for future commercial decision making A core element of this vision is the focus on adoption and spread at scale across the Midlands for proven interventions and care models. Together, we drive innovation in cancer and other major disease areas - uniting the NHS and industry to turn bold ideas into real-world impact for patients and communities. Our primary objective is to accelerate delivery of the NHS planning targets by working together, allowing us to treat more patients and expand diagnostic capacity to reach this aim Anticipated Benefits to Academic Partners The NHS seeks to benefit from this program by bringing fresh thinking to bear to challenges faced by our health systems partners and front-line clinical teams. This program aims to deliver added value beyond the existing transformations underway, and adding additional capacity, capabilities to realise impact for patients. This program gives an opportunity for Academic partners to co-develop research and development projects in the key challenge areas presented by clinical teams, it provides a unique opportunity to coalesce knowledge creation and application alongside front line teams and industry partners working with the Hub. Engagement opportunities The Hub offers leadership calls for a 121 discussion and question /answer on this opportunity Book a call request https://outlook.office.com/book/agemCancerAllianceHubCancerAllianceHub@nhs.onmicrosoft.com/?ismsaljsauthenabled Webinar briefing 21st January 10-30 to 11-30 am - please use the link below to register for this event lifescience hub - academic partner briefing https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/b76f4ade-ac9b-48b3-92b9-4ef9e8ff0f36@37c354b2-85b0-47f5-b222-07b48d774ee3 Academic Partner response- expression of interest A clear outline of the capabilities proposed and the benefits envisaged. Plus details of the resources that you would bring to alongside the NHS and Industry partners in this program Response is open at all times up until 17:00pm on the 6th February 2026 when this Expression of Interest closes Partners are invited to complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) proforma using the link below https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=slTDN7CF9UeyIge0jXdO410YGs_6teBAixqGKw2j_qNURVlPV05QMUgyUTYyMzNTRjJHR0lESkNRNC4u&route=shorturl Expression of Interest for an Academic Partner : Cancer in the Midlands, Life Science Hub – Fill in form Matching criteria will be used to assess any expression of interest will add value. This process however seeks to be inclusive and where possible match capabilities to the right need, rather than excluding a valuable contribution. https://sway.cloud.microsoft/BvEoNHSrbHfMhs3r?ref=Link Matching Criteria - Supporting Information An interested party that achieves 40% or more will be invited to the next stage of this process. Clarification log Please attend the briefing event to gain further information, we would be happy to set up a call and hold individual meeting to discuss further please feel free to request/book a call. Any partner with specific questions or queries can do this on by using clarification form link https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=slTDN7CF9UeyIge0jXdO410YGs_6teBAixqGKw2j_qNUOEhSNE1FUVE3TkoxWU1LSkZKTVpZMDBBUi4u&route=shorturl Contract Value Total Value (Estimated) £1.00 excluding VAT £1.20 including VAT Below the relevant threshold

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f860
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084071-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Dec 20251 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
31 Mar 20264 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 2 Apr 2026 30 days
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF LEICESTER NHS TRUST
Contact Name
Simon Pizzey
Contact Email
simon.pizzey@nhs.net
Contact Phone
07713947777

Buyer Location

Locality
LEICESTER
Postcode
LE1 6WW
Post Town
Leicester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF2 Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF21 Leicester
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Leicester
Electoral Ward
Castle
Westminster Constituency
Leicester South

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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This is not a procurement exercise, but a collaboration of experts who will build evidence for future commercial decision making A core element of this vision is the focus on adoption and spread at scale across the Midlands for proven interventions and care models. Together, we drive innovation in cancer and other major disease areas - uniting the NHS and industry to turn bold ideas into real-world impact for patients and communities. Our primary objective is to accelerate delivery of the NHS planning targets by working together, allowing us to treat more patients and expand diagnostic capacity to reach this aim Anticipated Benefits to Academic Partners The NHS seeks to benefit from this program by bringing fresh thinking to bear to challenges faced by our health systems partners and front-line clinical teams. This program aims to deliver added value beyond the existing transformations underway, and adding additional capacity, capabilities to realise impact for patients. 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