SAS and Maxwell Centre - History

History of the collaboration with the University

The University of Cambridge has been using SAS software licenses for more than 30 consecutive years, renewals serving as an indicator of the software's value to researchers. In 2018 Office for Translational Research were looking to establish a data analytics partnership for the project looking to improve the pipeline of kidney transplants - this became a proof of concept for a wider partnership with SAS, where research benefited from direct SAS expertise besides access to software. The success of PITHIA project laid a foundation for the wider partnership which can set up collaborations of this type in more areas. On 23rd of July 2024 we launched the SAS Advanced Analytics Hub at the Maxwell Centre.  The history of the partnership is described in further detail below:

The PITHIA Research Project timeline:

  • The PITHIA research project saw the start of more intensive engagements between researchers and SAS experts
  • 2018: Research collaboration starts with PITHIA project, using SAS Viya to analyse digital images

» A clinical trial to determine the value of REMUZZI scoring of renal biopsies to determine suitability for transplantation

» Composite deep-learning AI conducted in parallel to see if AI can score as reliably as a specialist renal histopathologist

» November 2022: JASN Paper Published - "Artifical Intelligence You Can Trust: What Matters Beyond Performance When Applying Artificial Intelligence to Renal Histopathology?

  • 2021: PITHIA team supported by SAS with Lean Canvas evaluation of business plan
  • 2021: PITHIA introduced by SAS to Regenold / CE+ to understand requirements for regulatory approval
  • 2022: SAS supports PITHIA’s Rosetrees funding application (unsuccessful)
  • 2023: MRC grant approved for PITHIA next stage research
  • 2023: PITHIA presents at SAS Innovate. A global conference held in Las Vegas, as use case for the launch of SAS AppFactory

Partnership evolution post PITHIA Project:

  • Cambridge Digital Health Hub proposal
  • 2022: EPSRC funding bid, with University of Cambridge / SAS / Microsoft
  • School of Medicine and OTR visit to SAS HQ in Cary, North Carolina, June 2023
  • Presented research & planning for SAS installation
  • Proposed a format of the wider partnership with a physical hub in Cambridge based at the Maxwell Centre
  • Outcomes:

» SAS Viya and access to SAS experts to be made available at the Maxwell Centre, initially to service Healthcare & Life Sciences research projects, with scope to expand in future

» This SAS installation will also service academic teaching and startups incubated at the Maxwell Centre and within the Cambridge Enterprise portfolio

» Increasing visibility of SAS Healthcare & Life Sciences & SAS Education/Academic through participation in Maxwell Centre activities

» University-wide series of SAS awareness and expert seminars to be offered

» Joint commercial training & skills ventures to be explored

» Joint CSR education & skills outreach activities in East Anglia region and elsewhere, as capacity permits.

  • SAS-Maxwell Centre partnership announced at the SAS Innovate conference in London, 12 June 2024

  • SAS Advanced Analytics Hub at the Maxwell Centre launched on 23 July 2024

  • Heads of Terms Agreement signed on 31st December 2024