Bioeconomy
The TORCH programme, a collaboration between the National Horizons Centre (NHC) and Tees Valley Research Alliance (TVRA), aims to enhance ovarian cancer research in the North-East. This initiative supports clinical and academic research by providing a laboratory for processing and storing patient-donated samples to develop better cancer treatments.
Cancer patients in the North-East are underrepresented in clinical trials, and treatment response rates are lower in this population. The TORCH programme addresses this gap by offering patients opportunities to contribute to research and engage with the scientific and clinical community, ultimately improving treatment outcomes for ovarian cancer.
The NHC, in partnership with TVRA, established the South Tees Research, Innovation, and Education (STRIVE) lab to collect and store high-quality clinical samples. These samples are processed quickly to support robust, clinically relevant research projects. The collaboration enables researchers and clinicians to test new therapeutic approaches, and the programme builds capacity for training the next generation of clinical and academic researchers.
The TORCH programme is expected to have significant academic and clinical impacts. It will enhance the training of healthcare professionals, engage patients in cutting-edge research, and provide resources for developing and testing new cancer therapies. This initiative is promoting innovation in cancer treatment and improving patient outcomes, particularly for ovarian cancer in the North East.
