Across the UK, patients will have increased access to innovative treatments and clinical trials with the announcement of a £100 million public-private investment aimed at establishing 20 research centres.
Commercial Research Delivery Centres (CRDCs) are set to serve as regional focal points for advanced clinical trials, facilitating the testing of novel treatments backed by state-of-the-art technology and equipment.
These centres will be strategically located in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The trials will enhance the UK’s leadership in research delivery across all medical conditions within multi-specialist hubs. This includes areas such as cancer, obesity, and infectious diseases like flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The CRDCs will foster the swift initiation of commercial studies, enabling patients to access trial-stage treatments as soon as possible.
In alignment with the 10-Year Health Plan, the CRDCs will reposition clinical trials into community environments, allowing individuals in underserved regions to participate in research, thereby increasing access to trial-phase treatments.
Health Minister Baroness Gillian Merron commented, “This substantial private health research investment is a strong vote of confidence in the UK’s eminent research and life science sectors.
“The new centres will extend research into smaller communities, making cutting-edge treatments more widely accessible, sooner.
“Prevention is preferable to cure – these trials will unlock the next generation of treatments, fostering economic expansion and preparing the NHS for the future.”
This funding forms part of a more extensive £400 million joint public-private investment initiative – the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicine Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG) Investment Programme. This unique collaboration between the government and the pharmaceutical sector is designed to enhance the global competitiveness of the UK’s life sciences sector and stimulate economic progress.
The interplay between national health and economic strength is interconnected; the new CRDCs will solidify the UK’s position as a leader in life sciences and med tech, driving economic growth.
Following the recent “Plan for Change” outline by the Prime Minister, ambitious yet attainable milestones have been set to realize significant improvements for working people’s lives.
The 10-Year Health Plan emphasizes shifting focus from treatment to prevention, and this investment aids research into preventive vaccines and medicines, contributing to prolonged healthy living.
Legislation aimed at transforming UK clinical trials by hastening trial approvals while ensuring patient safety marks the most comprehensive overhaul of regulations in two decades. This will reduce administrative burdens and streamline processes for rapid trial commencement. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Health Research Authority (HRA) are implementing these changes.
Science Minister Lord Vallance stated, “Harnessing the latest advances in medical science alongside breakthrough treatments requires collaboration between leading enterprises and the NHS.
“This is especially critical for clinical trials where the UK has a robust history and can reclaim leadership.”
Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles remarked, “Establishing a Wales clinical research centre will bolster our approach to trials and expand people’s access to innovative treatments. Research can substantially enhance patient care, and we are committed to cross-UK collaborations in enhancing commercial global research.”
Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care in the Scottish Government, stated, “I am excited that Scotland will host four new Commercial Research Delivery Centres, enhancing our existing research infrastructure and optimizing UK-wide collaboration.
“It highlights our sustained commitment to supporting the NHS in conducting effective clinical research, boosting research inclusion and expediting the development of new medicines for patients.”
Northern Ireland Health Minister Mike Nesbitt commented, “This Programme is a major uplift for Northern Ireland’s research ecosystem. A £12.6 million investment in a Commercial Research Delivery Centre will enable our health research workforce to deliver wider-reaching commercial clinical trials, including in primary and community care.
“This will broaden research participation opportunities for the entire NI population, particularly underrepresented groups.”
Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and CEO of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) said, “Clinical trials are essential for improving lives. Expanding the NHS’s capacity for commercial clinical research through these new CRDCs will boost recruitment from all communities, introducing innovative treatments to patients.
“The impact of these centres will be observed throughout the UK, injecting investment into the life sciences sector.”
Richard Torbett, CEO of The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), emphasized, “The industry’s financial contribution to this programme showcases a successful collaboration between industry and government to enhance health and fuel growth. We recognize that industry-led clinical trials significantly benefit the UK economy, generate NHS revenue, and improve patient outcomes in research-focused hospitals.
“The CRDCs are poised to support industry clinical trials in various care settings across the UK nations, and we look forward to the network working with industry to offer more patients access to the latest treatments.”