Kneu Health joins UK Government's mission to transform dementia diagnosis

Accelerating early and accurate diagnosis

We're proud to share that Kneu Health has been recognised by the UK Government as part of its new challenge to speed up dementia diagnosis and improve outcomes for patients and families across the country.

As detailed in the Government's announcement — Advances in science set to transform treatments for people living with dementia (GOV.UK) — the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has launched a £5 million research challenge to accelerate the development of new diagnostic tools and technologies.

The goal is that by 2029, "more than 92% of patients could be diagnosed within 18 weeks of a doctor's referral – up from less than half currently."

The challenge was announced by Science Minister Lord Vallance and Health Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed, during a visit to the UK Dementia Research Institute in Cambridge.

"Few people in the UK will go through life untouched by the impact of dementia – whether through a personal diagnosis or in caring for, or coming to terms with, its effect on a loved one. We must therefore grasp the opportunities that science and technology offers in getting people the early and effective diagnosis they need to continue living fulfilled lives while reducing the pressure on hospitals."

Science Minister Lord Vallance

"For too long, our health system has struggled to support those with complex needs, including the one million people living with dementia. This ambitious challenge represents a crucial step forward in our mission to build an NHS fit for the future. By harnessing the power of innovation to diagnose dementia faster and more accurately, we can ensure patients and their families get the support they need earlier, when it can make the greatest difference."

Health Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed

Kneu Health recognised for innovation in digital cognitive assessment

The announcement highlights Kneu Health — a University of Oxford spinout — as one of two projects awarded £1.2 million in UKRI funding to accelerate innovation in digital cognitive assessments.

The funding will support our work developing smartphone-based cognitive testing that combines digital assessments with biomarker analysis — measurable indicators in the body that can help detect disease earlier. This approach enables more accurate, accessible, and continuous diagnosis of cognitive conditions such as dementia.

Our technology allows patients to complete assessments in clinic and at home, providing clinicians with a fuller, data-driven picture of cognitive function to prioritise treatment and support.

This work forms part of Dementias Platform UK's READ-OUT study, exploring how blood and digital biomarkers can work together to transform diagnosis across the NHS.

A step forward for patients, clinicians, and health systems

"Precise, early diagnosis isn't just about giving people information, it's about giving them agency, choice, and crucially, access to emerging clinical trials and treatments that offer real hope to slow down or stop these conditions."

Professor Siddharthan Chandran, Director and CEO, UK Dementia Research Institute

The Government's initiative builds on ongoing national programmes such as the Blood Biomarker Challenge and the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Goals programme, aimed at validating blood tests and accelerating innovation in diagnostics and care.

For Kneu Health, this recognition underscores our mission: to put the power of research and insight in the hands of patients and care teams, through everyday devices and integrated clinical tools.

We're proud to be part of a collective effort that turns cutting-edge science into practical solutions — helping clinicians act earlier, patients feel more supported, and health systems deliver care that's proactive and precise.

Our purpose

At Kneu Health, we believe neurological care should be as intelligent, accessible, and human as the technology already in people's pockets.

By bringing clarity and connection to dementia care, we're helping to close the gap between what's possible and what's available — today.

Because better neurology care is here. Just ask the data.