MHRA opens second round of applications to test cutting-edge AI MedTech

Chris Whitehouse, a political consultant and expert on medical technology policy and regulation at Whitehouse Communications, an advisor to MedTech suppliers, chair of the Urology Trade Association, and governor of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre, points to £1 million funding available to promote MedTech innovation.

A 1 million GBP boost to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) pioneering AI Airlock programme will expand access to a first-of-its-kind regulatory testing ground where companies can work directly with regulators to safely test new AI-powered medical devices and explore how to bring them to patients faster, through streamlined regulations.

Applications for the second round of the programme opened on June 23, 2025, and follow a successful pilot phase that saw four breakthrough AI technologies, including software that could help doctors create personalised cancer treatment plans, and a tool to help hospitals, AI developers, and regulators monitor AI performance in real time, tested in a regulatory ‘sandbox’ environment.

The  ‘sandbox’ testing space creates a boundary between experimental AI and fully approved medical technology used in the real world.

This initiative, claims Government, builds on commitments in the Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan and the government response to the Regulatory Horizons Council report on regulation of AI as a medical device to enable safe AI innovation through strategic guidance to regulators and enhance their capabilities.

Science Minister, Lord Vallance said: “Smarter, faster approaches like the AI Airlock are helping to cut red tape, bring safe new technologies to patients quicker, and ease pressure on our NHS – fuelling the Government’s Plan for Change.”

Health Minister, Baroness Merron said:“AI has huge potential to improve healthcare, and we need to use it safely and responsibly. The AI Airlock programme is a great example of how we can test new technology thoroughly while still moving quickly.

“This £1 million investment will help bring new medical tools to patients faster and strengthen the UK’s position as a global leader in healthcare innovation.”

Eligible candidates for the second cohort of funding must demonstrate that their device has the potential to deliver significant benefits to patients and the NHS, presents a new treatment approach, and offers a regulatory challenge ready to be tested in the Airlock programme.

Applications for cohort two open on 23 June 2025 and will close on 14 July 2025. More information can be found at AI Airlock: the regulatory sandbox for AIaMD – GOV.UK.

The Author used AI in preparing this article, comments upon or questions about which can be addressed to [email protected].

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