UK's NIHR Secures £300 Mn Investment for Clinical Trials Infrastructure

The funding, part of a joint public-private initiative announced this week, seeks to advance the UK’s health and life sciences sector over the next five years.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has secured and investment of £300 million aimed at enhancing clinical trials across the UK.

The funding, part of a joint public-private initiative announced this week, seeks to advance the UK’s health and life sciences sector over the next five years.

It aims to provide earlier access to new treatments, boosting economic growth, and strengthening the UK's position in health research.

The Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicine Pricing, Access, and Growth (VPAG) Investment Program will allocate 75% of its £400 million fund to expand the UK's commercial clinical trials capacity.

This includes establishing new Commercial Research Delivery Centres (CRDCs) across the UK, with up to 15 NIHR CRDCs planned for England.

These centers will enhance the clinical trials infrastructure, promote research in diverse settings such as primary and community care, and increase participation from diverse communities. The CRDCs are set to launch on April 1, 2025.

Sharing thoughts, Professor Lucy Chappell, NIHR CEO, and chief scientific adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care, said, “The NIHR Commercial Research Delivery Centres in England will be a vital part of the UK research delivery infrastructure to drive improvements in patient treatment and enable the NHS to deliver clinical research most effectively.”

Reportedly, the VPAG Investment Programme will also allocate 20% of its funding towards sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing, focusing on efficiency and reducing waste and emissions.

The remaining 5% will support innovative Health Technology Assessment (HTA) approaches to modernize the evaluation of new treatments and facilitate improved access to innovative medicines.

Sharing thoughts, Wes Streeting, Health and Social Care Secretary, said, “This private investment is a significant vote of confidence in the UK and will fast-track the next generation of treatments to NHS patients. It will enhance the UK’s global competitiveness and transform the country into the epicentre of health research, supporting an NHS fit for the future. By cutting waiting lists and fixing our NHS, we can make it an engine for growth and build the healthy society needed for a healthy economy.”