Skip to main content

Public Health and Sport Sciences

PenTAG Health Technology Assessment

PenTAG is the team of researchers within ESMI that specialise in conducting health technology assessments for national policymakers in England and Wales.

PenTAG is one of several university-based research groups in the UK contracted to produce high-quality systematic reviews and economic analyses of health technologies for NICE, the UK National Screening Committee and the NIHR Evidence Synthesis Programme.

Our work supporting NICE falls under several categories:

We produce systematic reviews of the existing literature on clinical and cost-effectiveness, critique analyses from manufacturers and develop a new economic analysis to support decisions when multiple technologies are being appraised. These projects lead to published monographs in the journal Health Technology Assessment and can also lead to journal articles. 

We perform a rapid review of the evidence supporting a new drug or medical device supplied to NICE by the manufacturer. This helps to ensure that all relevant clinical effectiveness evidence is included, that cost-effectiveness analyses are robust, and that Appraisal Committees are confident that methods have been independently reviewed. 

A relatively new process, similar to that for MTAs, for which we undertake an assessment of the diagnostic test accuracy, clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of a diagnostic technology. These projects lead to published monographs in the journal Health Technology Assessment and can also lead to journal articles.

We are participating in NICE pilots to trial new routes for appraisal aimed at differentiating the appraisal process to allow the application of light-touch, faster evaluations for simpler low-risk treatments and additional time for areas that need more detailed attention. The two pilots we have participated in so far have included the second pilot for a new, swifter, cost comparison route and the first pilot for NICE’s pathways approach which involves creation of a model for an entire treatment pathway which can be reused across multiple technology appraisals.

We produce reviews of the evidence and decision analyses for products submitted to NICE’s medical technologies guidance programme. This involves a critique of company submissions along the lines of a single technology appraisal (STA). We also provide Early Value Assessments (EVAs) of promising digital products, devices and diagnostics, reporting to NICE an overview of the current evidence and early indications of whether they are likely to prove cost-effective in the NHS. If approved by NICE, it may be used within the NHS whilst additional evidence is generated before a full reappraisal in the future.

In addition, staff members actively seek additional research funding in areas of interest to them, often stemming from work commissioned by NICE or NIHR.

Our research staff come from a variety of backgrounds, including specialists in systematic review methods, health economics, information science, computer science and statistics. We are additionally able to draw on substantial expertise from other groups in the Medical School, such as the Health Statistics and Health Economics groups.

Release of our economic models
We are happy to consider releasing copies of our economic models of health technologies to not-for-profit organisations within the UK or overseas, such as other universities or government agencies.

Our projects

Funder Project Team

NHS England

Clinically meaningful minimally important differences in clinical outcomes for adults with follicular lymphoma

C Farmer, M Muthukumar, L Trigg, D Lee, E Wilson, A Lovell

NIHR James Lind Alliance PSP

How can veterans be encouraged to recognise they need help and to ask for the help they need, especially for mental health problems?

C Farmer, H Coelho, S Robinson

NICE STA

Garadacimab for preventing recurrent attacks of hereditary angioedema in people 12 years and over

A Lovell, A Allen. M Barnish, V Santo, D Lee

NICE EVA-DAR

Artificial intelligence software to help detect fractures on X-rays in urgent care

C Farmer, H Coelho, S Robinson, M Muthukumar, G.J. Melendez-Torres, O Ukoumunne, E Wilson

NICE STA

Talazoparib with enzalutamide for untreated hormone-relapsed metastatic prostate cancer

A Allen, S Robinson, V Santo, A Abdelsabour, G.J. Melendez-Torres

MedTech LSA

Compression products for venous leg ulcers: late stage assessment

M Barnish, A Lovell, T Snowsill, D Syukriyah, G.J. Melendez-Torres, E Wilson

NICE STA

Nivolumab with ipilimumab for untreated metastatic colorectal cancer with high microsatellite instability or mismatch repair deficiency

D Lee, M Barnish, A Abdelsabour, J Perks, A Lovell, G.J. Melendez-Torres

NICE STA

Vadadustat for treating symptomatic anaemia in adults having dialysis for chronic kidney disease

A Lovell, E Wilson, A Allen, J Perks, T Douglas, C Woodrow-Hill, R Batteson, S Critchlow

MedTech LSA

One-piece closed bags for people with a colostomy

C Farmer, E Wilson, M Barnish, G.J. Melendez-Torres, J Perks, A Lovell, A Abdelsabour, V Santo, D Lee

NICE HST

Fosdenopterin for treating molybdenum cofactor deficiency type A ID6264

M Barnish, A Bullement, O Hale, S Robinson, J Owen, W Battershill, G.J. Melendez-Torres

NICE STA

Pegcetacoplan for treating geographic atrophy

A Lovell, J Matthews, M Barnish, E Nikram, D Lee

NICE STA

Vamorolone for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy

B O'Toole, M Muthukumar, C Farmer, A Allen, A Lovell, E Wilson

NICE STA

Ruxolitinib for treating non-segmental vitiligo in people 12 years and over

C Farmer, S Robinson, G.J. Melendez-Torres, H Wheat, W Sullivan, A Bullement

NHS England

Cost Effectiveness for Surgical Interventions

C Farmer, M Muthukumar, L Trigg, Dawn L, E Wilson, A Lovell

NICE STA

Ganaxolone for treating seizures caused by CDKL5 deficiency disorder in people 2 years and over C Farmer, G.J. Melendez-Torres, J Matthews, L Trigg, S Robinson, A Bullement, A Hatswell

NICE HST

Olipudase alfa for treating acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (Niemann Pick disease type B and AB) C Farmer, B O'Toole, E Wilson, G.J. Melendez-Torres, H Coelho, N Shaw, E Nikram
ID Title Authors Report
TA989

Etranacogene dezaparvovec for treating moderately severe or severe haemophilia B

C Farmer, E Wilson, E Nikram, L Trigg, S Robinson, G.J. Melendez-Torres

Report
TA979

Ivosidenib with azacitidine for untreated acute myeloid leukaemia with an IDH1 R132 mutation

M Barnish, B O'Toole, J Matthews, S Robinson, E Nikram, A Abdelsabour, E Wilson Report
TA990

Tenecteplase for treating acute ischaemic stroke

A Lovell, A Allen, D Lee Report
HTE18 Digital pulmonary rehabilitation technologies for adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease A Lovell, M Barnish, M Muthukumar, C Farmer, A Abdelsabour, G.J. Melendez-Torres Report
HTE11 Artificial intelligence auto-contouring for radiotherapy treatment planning S Robinson, B O'Toole, G.J. Melendez-Torres, A Lovell, A Abdelsabour, E Wilson Report
HTE15 Virtual reality for treating agoraphobia and agoraphobic avoidance: early value assessment A Lovell, M Barnish, C Farmer, H Coelho, S Robinson, E Nikram, E Wilson Report
MOH ACE Axicabtagene ciloleucel for relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma G.J. Melendez-Torres, M Barnish, B O'Toole, M Muthukumar, S Robinson, J Lowe  
TA904 Pembrolizumab with lenvatinib for previously treated advanced, metastatic or recurrent endometrial cancer B O'Toole, G.J. Melendez-Torres, E Wilson, M Barnish, N Shaw, H Coelho, J Matthews Report
TA868 Vutrisiran for treating hereditary transthyretin-related amyloidosis D Lee, G.J. Melendez-Torres Report
HTE8 Digitally enabled therapies for adults with depression M Barnish, E Wilson, D Lee, S Robinson, L Trigg  Report
TA888  Risankizumab for previously treated moderately to severely active Crohn's disease G.J. Melendez-Torres, M Barnish, J Matthews, M Edmondson-Jones, S Robinson, W Sullivan, A Brand Report
TA880 Tezepelumab for treating severe asthma E Wilson, M Muthukumar, H Coelho, L Crathorne, N Shaw, G.J. Melendez-Torres Report
TA882 Voclosporin with immunosuppressives for treating lupus nephritis G.J. Melendez-Torres, L Crathorne, C Farmer, S Robinson, S Critchlow, A Hatswell, A Bullement, H Wheat Report
TA877 Finerenone for treating chronic kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes L Crathorne, G.J. Melendez-Torres, A Bullement, F Kiff, N Shaw, H Wheat Report
MT779 Ambu aScope for Cycsto: Scoping Report E Wilson, H Coelho  
MTG42 UrgoStart for treating diabetic foot ulcers and leg ulcers E Wilson, M Barnish, D Lee, S Robinson  
MT580 Early Value Assessment: Digital cognitive behavioural therapy for children and young people with symptoms of anxiety and low mood A Brand, E Wilson, D Lee Report
TA828 Ozanimod for treating moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis A Brand, L Crathorne, M Muthukumar, B O'Toole, F Kiff, N Shaw Report
TA809 Imlifidase for preventing kidney transplant rejection in people with chronic kidney disease C Farmer, G.J. Melendez-Torres, S Robinson, E Nikram, L Long, L Crathorne, F Kiff, A Hatswell, E Knowles Report
TA823 Atezolizumab for adjuvant treatment of resected non-small-cell lung cancer M Barnish, L Crathorne, J Matthews, L Long, S Robinson, W Sullivan, C Day, Z Phillips  Report
HST21 Setmelanotide for treating obesity caused by LEPR or POMC deficiency A Brand, B O'Toole, L Crathorne, G.J. Melendez-Torres, M Barnish, L Trigg, M Muthukumar, S Robinson  Report
TA767 Ponesimod for treating relapsing multiple sclerosis C Farmer, B O'Toole, G.J. Melendez-Torres, L Crathorne, D Packman, F Kiff, S Robinson, A Brand Report
TA772 Pembrolizumab for treating relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma after stem cell transplant or at least 1 prior therapy M Barnish, L Crathorne, G.J. Meendez-Torres, B O'Toole, D Packman, M Muthukumar, J Matthews, N Shaw Report
TA737 Pembrolizumab with platinum-based chemotherapy for untreated advanced oesophageal cancer M Barnish, A Bullement, R Slater, N Shaw, J Matthews, L Crathorne, L Long, G.J. Melendez-Torres Report
GID-TA10363 Quizartinib for treating relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukaemia M Barnish, E Griffin, H Coelho, N Shaw, L Crathorne Report
HST16 Givosiran for treating acute hepatic porphyria C Farmer, L Crathorne, G.J. Melendez-Torres, B O'Toole, M Muthukumar, F Kiff, L Trigg, S Robinson Report
TA707  Nivolumab for previously treated unresectable advanced oesophageal cancer M Barnish, A Bullement, L Long, N Shaw, G.J. Melendez-Torres Report
TA680 Lenalidomide for the maintenance treatment of multiple myeloma after autologous stem cell transplantation C Farmer, E Knowles, H Coelho, J Matthews, S Robinson, N Shaw, S Critchlow, L Crathorne, G.J. Melendez-Torres  Report
TA667 Caplacizumab for treating adults experiencing an episode of acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura C Farmer, D Scott, L Long, J Matthews, S Robinson, L Crathorne, G.J. Melendez-Torres Report
TA671 Mepolizumab for treating severe eosinophilic asthma L Carthorne, B O'Toole, E Nikram, S Robinson Report
TA665 Upadacitinib for treating severe rheumatoid arthritis M Barnish, L Crathorne, G.J. Melendez-Torres, E Cummins, H Coelho, R Johnston, D Packman, N Shaw, Report
HST11 Voretigene neparvovec for treating inherited retinal dystrophies caused by RPE65 gene mutations C Farmer, L Long, D Packman, S Robinson, E Nikram, M Rezaei Hemami, L Crathorne  Report
TA631 Fremanezumab for preventing migraine S Bello, E Griffin, C Farmer, E Nikram, S Robinson, D Packman, A Salmon, G.J. Melendez-Torres, L Crathorne Report
TA557 Pembrolizumab with pemetrexed and platinum-based chemotherapy for untreated non-small-cell lung cancer E Griffin, C Farmer, D Packman, M Barnish, E Nikram, J Matthews, S Briscoe Report
TA571 Brigatinib for treating ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer after crizotinib E Griffin, M Barnish, D Packman, H Coehlo, J Matthews, S Dodman, S Robinson, M Hoyle  Report
TA565 Benralizumab for treating severe asthma I Tikhonova, L Long, N Ocean, M Barnish, S Robinson, E Nikram, S Bello, S Dodman, D Halpin, M Hoyle  Report
GID-TA10089
 
Regorafenib for treating advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumours T Jones-Hughes, J Dunham, S Robinson, M Napier, M Hoyle Report
TA465 Olaratumab in combination with doxorubicin for treating advanced soft tissue sarcoma I Tikhonova, T Jones-Hughes, J Dunham, F Warren, S Robinson, P Stephens, M Hoyle

Report

Journal article
(PharmacoEconomics)

TA399 Azacitidine for treating acute myeloid leukaemia with more than 30% bone marrow blasts R Mujica Mota, J Varley-Campbell, I Tikhonova, C Cooper, M Hoyle, C Rudin, T Snowsill

Report

Journal article (PharmacoEconomics)

TA586 The clinical and cost-effectiveness of lenalidomide for people who have received at least one prior therapy with bortezomib (partial review of TA171): a critique of the submission from Celgene: Addendum. N Huxley, L Long, S Briscoe, M Hoyle Report
TA344 Ofatumumab in combination with chlorambucil or bendamustine for previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: a critique of the submission from GSK.  STA for NICE M Hoyle, N Huxley, H Coelho, J Lowe, C Cooper, L Crathorne, J Peters, C Rudin Report
TA343 Obinutuzumab in combination with chlorambucil for previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: a critique of the submission from Roche. STA for NICE M Hoyle, L Long, N Huxley, L Crathorne, S Briscoe, C Rudin Report
TA299 Bosutinib for previously-treated chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) M Hoyle, T Snowsill, M Haasova, C Cooper, C Rudin  Evaluation report (item 13; errata item 15)
TA219 Everolimus for the second-line treatment of advanced and/or metastatic renal cell cancer M Pitt, L Crathorne, T Moxham, M Bond, C Hyde Report
TA216 Bendamustine for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia L Crathorne, M Hoyle, T Jones‑Hughes, K Stein Report
TA202 Ofatumumab for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia refractory to fludarabine and alemtuzumab M Hoyle, L Crathorne, R Garside, C Hyde Report
TA179 Sunitinib for the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumours M Bond, M Hoyle, T Moxham, M Napier, R Anderson Report
TA174 The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of rituximab for the first-line treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: an evidence review of the submission from Roche C Main, M Pitt, T Moxham, K Stein Report
TA171 Lenalidomide for multiple myeloma in people who have received at least one prior therapy R Garside, M Hoyle, T Moxham, G Rogers, K Stein ERG report
TA127 Natalizumab for the treatment of adults with highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis R Garside, C Green, M Hoyle, R Taylor, A Price, K Stein ERG report
Funder Project Authors Publications
NICE PATT Treatments for renal cell carcinoma D Lee, G.J. Melendez-Torres, E Wilson, C Farmer, B O'Toole, M Muthukumar, L Trigg, H Coelho, A Lovell, T Snowsill, J Matthews, M Barnish, D Burns, T Nikoglou, A Brand, Z Ahmad, A Abdelsabour  
NICE DAR Therapeutic monitoring of TNF-alpha inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis I Tikhonova, H Yang, M Rezaei Hemami, S Bello, S Robinson, J Peters, S Dodman, A Salmon, A Kharechko, M Jani, R Haigh, T McDonald, M Pitt, M Hoyle, S Logan Monograph
NIHR DAR Lung cancer screening by low dose CT T Snowsill, H Yang, E Griffin, L Long, J Varley-Campbell, H Coehlo, S Robinson, C Hyde Monograph
NICE DAR PartoSure (and alternative technologies identified during scoping) to help predict preterm labour in women with intact membranes J Varley-Campbell, R Mujica-Mota, H Coehlo, C Cooper, I Tikhonova, H Yang, M Hoyle, C Hyde  Monograph
NICE DAR Genetic testing for Lynch syndrome in people with colorectal cancer H Coehlo, T Jones-Hughes, C Hyde, T Snowsill, N Huxley, C Cooper, S Briscoe Monograph
Journal (BMC Cancer)
NIHR HTA Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of conservative interventions for tendinopathy: an overview of systematic reviews of clinical effectiveness and systematic review of economic evaluations L Long, S Briscoe, C Cooper, C Hyde, L Crathorne Monograph
NICE MTA Cetuximab (review of TA176) and panitumumab (partial review of TA240) for the first line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer N Huxley, L Crathorne, J Varley-Campbell, I Tikhonova, T Snowsill, S Briscoe, J Peters, M Napier, M Bond, M Hoyle

Monograph

Journal (Pharmacoeconomics)

NICE MTA Everolimus, lanreotide, lutetium-177 DOTATATE and sunitinib for treating unresectable or metastatic neuroendocrine tumours with disease progression R Mujica-Mota, J Varley-Campbell, I Tikhonova, C Cooper, E Griffin, M Haasova, J Peters, S Lucherini, J Talens-Bou, L Long, D Sherriff, M Napier, J Ramage, M Hoyle Monograph
NIHR HTA The diagnostic accuracy of hearing tests and cost-effectiveness of school entry hearing screening programmes

H Fortnum, OC Ukoumunne, C Hyde, RS Taylor, M Ozolins, S Errington, Z Zhelev, C Pritchard, C Benton, J Moody, L Cocking, J Watson, S Roberts Monograph
NIHR CLAHRC South West Peninsula (PenCLAHRC) and NIHR Psychological consequences of false-positive screening mammograms M Bond, R Garside, C Hyde

Journal (BMJ Open)
Journal (British Journal of Health Psychology)

NICE MTA Erythropoiesis stimulating agents (epoetin and darbepoetin) for cancer-treatment induced anaemia L Crathorne, N Huxley, M Haasova, T Snowsill, T Jones‑Hughes, M Hoyle, S Briscoe, H Coelho, L Long, A Medina‑Lara, R Mujica‑Mota, C Hyde Monograph
NICE MTA Immunosuppressive therapy for renal transplantation in adolescents and children (including a review of existing guidance 99) M Haasova, T Snowsill, T Jones-Hughes, L Crathorne, C Cooper, J Varley-Campbell, R Mujica-Mota, H Coelho, N Huxley, J Lowe, J Dudley, S Marks, C Hyde, M Bond, R Anderson Monograph
NICE MTA Immunosuppressive therapy for renal transplantation in adults (including a review of existing guidance 85) T Jones-Hughes, T Snowsill, M Haasova, H Coelho, L Crathorne, C Cooper, R Mujica-Mota, J Peters, J Varley-Campbell, N Huxley, J Moore, M Allwood, J Lowe, C Hyde, M Hoyle, M Bond, R Anderson

Monograph

Journal (Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation)

NICE DA Sysmex RD-100i OSNA system and Metasin for intraoperative detection of sentinel lymph node metastases in breast cancer N Huxley, T Jones‑Hughes, H Coelho, T Snowsill, C Cooper, K Cooper, Y Meng, C Hyde, R Mujica‑Mota  Monograph
NIHR HTA Diagnostic strategies for identifying Lynch syndrome in early-onset colorectal cancer patients T Snowsill, N Huxley, M Hoyle, T Jones‑Hughes, H Coelho, C Cooper, I Frayling, C Hyde

Journal article (BMC Cancer)

NICE MTA Bevacizumab, Cetuximab, and Panitumumab for in colorectal cancer (metastatic) after failure of 1st line chemotherapy M Hoyle, L Crathorne, J Peters, T Jones‑Hughes, C Cooper, M Napier, P Tappenden, C Hyde

Journal article (Value in Health)

NIHR HTA Psychological consequences of false positive mammograms M Bond, T Pavey, K Welch, C Cooper, R Garside, S Dean, C Hyde Journal article (Editor's choice, Evidence Based Medicine)
NICE MTA Dasatinib and Nilotinib for the 1st line treatment of chronic phase CML T Pavey, M Hoyle, O Ciani, L Crathorne, T Jones‑Hughes, C Cooper, L Osipenko, M Venkatachalam, C Rudin, O Ukoumunne, R Garside, R Anderson  
NICE MTA Dasatinib, high-dose imatinib and nilotinib for the treatment of imatinib-resistant or imatinib-intolerant CML G Rogers, M Hoyle, J Thompson Coon, T Moxham, Z Liu, M Pitt, K Stein Monograph
Journal article (Value in Health)
NICE MTA Donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine and memantine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease M Bond, G Rogers, J Peters, R Anderson, M Hoyle, A Miners, T Moxham, S Davis, P Thokala, A Wailoo, M Jeffreys, C Hyde Journal article #1 (International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care)
Journal article #2 (Age and Ageing)
NIHR HTA Computerised decision support systems in Order Communication for diagnostic, screening or monitoring test ordering: systematic reviews of the effects and cost-effectiveness of systems C Main, T Moxham, JC Wyatt, J Kay, R Anderson, K Stein Monograph
NICE MTA Bevacizumab, sorafenib tosylate, sunitinib and temsirolimus for renal cell carcinoma: A systematic review and economic model J Thompson Coon, M Hoyle, C Green, Z Liu, K Welch, T Moxham, K Stein Journal article #1 (Value in Health)
Journal article #2 (Value in Health)
Journal article #3 (British Journal of Cancer)
NIHR HTA Weight management schemes for the under fives M Bond, K Wyatt, J Lloyd, K Welch, R Taylor  
NICE MTA Cochlear implants for severe to profound deafness in children and adults M Bond, S Mealing, R Anderson, J Elston, G Weiner, R Taylor, M Hoyle, Z Liu, A Price, K Stein Journal article #1 (Clinical Otolaryngology)
Journal article #2 (updated searches; Clinical Otolaryngology)
NICE MTA Methods of storing donated kidneys from deceased donors  M Bond, M Pitt, J Akoh, T Moxham, M Hoyle, R Anderson  
NIHR HTA Systematic review of the harmful health effects of taking ecstasy (MDMA) for recreational purposes G Rogers, J Elston, R Garside, C Roome, R Taylor, P Younger, A Zawada, M Somerville  
NIHR HTA

Surgical procedures and non-surgical devices for the management of non-apnoeic snoring: a systematic review of clinical effects and associated treatment costs

C Main, Z Liu, K Welch, G Weiner, SQ Jones, K Stein

 

Our Staff

Our Consultancy

PenTAG Consulting offers research, training and advice to the pharmaceutical and medical devices industries, the NHS and other organisations worldwide

 

Funded by NIHR: National Institute for Health and Care Research