My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Baroness Merron, has made the following written statement:
Today, I am pleased to announce an ambitious expansion of commercial clinical research capabilities across the four nations of the UK through the establishment of 20 new commercial research delivery centres.
The CRDC programme will be funded across the UK by the voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing, access and growth investment programme and, in part, by the Department of Health and Social Care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research in England. The VPAG Investment programme, a unique joint public-private partnership between the UK Government and the pharmaceutical industry agreed as part of the 2024 VPAG Scheme, aims to boost economic growth and the global competitiveness of the UK’s life sciences sector. This network of CRDCs is the first clinical trial infrastructure to receive funding from the VPAG investment programme to accelerate access to new medicines and vaccines to patients, through research.
Funding is being allocated to NHS organisations across all four UK nations, reinforcing the pan-UK commitment to research. The CRDCs cover the length and breadth of the UK from the Sussex coast to Aberdeen, including coverage across Wales and Northern Ireland, ensuring a truly UK presence. They will act as hubs for pioneering approaches in commercial clinical research delivery with a dedicated workforce and facilities and streamlined and efficient trial set-up to support industry trials. The CRDCs will enhance the UK’s competitiveness on the global health research stage and make it a destination of choice for life sciences innovation, supporting both the health and growth missions set by Government.
In a significant step forward, the CRDCs will bring clinical trials beyond large hospital trusts and into smaller hospital community settings and primary care. This will make research participation easier for people across our communities, including those currently underserved by research, ensuring that everyone can have access to new treatment through cutting-edge medical research.
Aligned with the UK Government’s missions to build a healthcare system fit for the future and kickstart economic growth, the CRDCs bring enhanced resource and infrastructure across the NHS, by growing research capacity and creating opportunities for collaboration with industry partners to trial new treatments. They will contribute to the strength and vitality of our life sciences sector, creating opportunities for growth and collaboration across the UK. This significant investment in commercial research delivery is a powerful signal of the UK’s commitment to the life sciences and it contributes to advancements in patient care to improve health outcomes for people across the UK.
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