Region 's research experts lead Covid-19 battle

The vast research excellence and expertise from across the West Midlands that has helped in the fight against Covid-19, has been highlighted in a report published by Midlands Innovation: Mobilising Research Excellence in the Midlands to Tackle Covid-19.

More than £90 million has gone into research that has allowed universities, hospitals and businesses to deliver regional, national and global support during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Aston University research and activity during Covid-19 is cited in numerous parts of the report including reference to an innovative device that was designed at Aston, to stop patients accidentally spreading coronavirus to ear, nose and throat surgeons - and was rolled out free to NHS clinics across the UK.

Other Aston research looked at how Covid-19 disproportionately affects BAME people with recommendations made to Parliament. Aston Business School research on how to support SME staff and enhance their productivity in the context of Covid-19 was included, as well as Aston Business School podcasts to support SMEs through the crisis.

Professor Alec Cameron, Vice-Chancellor, Aston University and Chair of Midlands Innovation said: “I am proud of the way Aston has contributed to the West Midlands ' considerable effort in addressing Covid-19 and the challenges it has presented.

“We, like many others, have shown that our flexibility, swiftness of action, and strong commitment to our community has had a really positive impact on what can be achieved in the face of adversity.

“Aston places great importance on contributing to our region, and our response to the pandemic has given us the opportunity to demonstrate this in a positive and tangible way. ”

Key findings of the Midlands Innovation report include:

• Experts in the Midlands are leading 81 new Covid-19 research programmes.
• The region is playing a crucial and integral role in the world-leading genome sequencing consortium which is identifying the strains of Covid-19 recently in the UK and internationally.
• The Midlands has used its internationally leading research excellence and clinical trials infrastructure to recruit over 50,000 patients to Covid-19 clinical trials, driving the discovery of new treatments and scientific insights.
• The region has successfully bid for £45m of funding enabling the delivery of £90m of cutting-edge Covid-19 related research.
• The region was at the forefront of the early detection of the heightened risks of Covid-19 to the country 's Black and Ethnic Minority population and bringing this to clinical attention.

The report cites the large volume of research projects and clinical trials being either led or undertaken in the West Midlands as exceptional, with the region now hosting a world-class Covid-19 clinical trials environment and over 50,000 patients recruited by 542 sites in the region, participating in 46 Covid-19 clinical research trials.

It also highlights the position of the West Midlands Life Science community, which is made up of over 1,200 companies, including the country 's highest number of medical technologies companies has played a key role in the national effort against Covid-19.

The region is also driving the sector internationally, not least because of the world-class Midlands universities, seven of which have Medical Schools including Aston and Birmingham.

They are all working to promote strong collaborations between academia, industry and health. A prime example of this collaboration is the University of Oxford / AstraZeneca UK vaccine, which is being manufactured by Cobra Biologics on Keele University's Science and Innovation Park.

Sir John Peace, chairman of the Midlands Engine, which has launched Midlands Engine Health, said: “The Midlands is delivering world-leading, life changing clinical research in response to Covid-19. Working together across the region, the NHS, universities and industry are meeting the challenge, driving lifesaving treatments for Covid-19 and improving outcomes. ”