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Scotland will be home to four new Commercial Research Delivery Centres (CRDCs) as part of £100 million public-private health research boost
12th December 2024
Patients across the UK will have greater access to cutting-edge treatments and clinical trials as the UK government announces £100 million of public- private investment to set up 20 research hubs
Commercial Research Delivery Centres (CRDCs) will act as regional hubs for pioneering clinical trials, creating opportunities to test innovative new treatments with the latest equipment and technology.
They will be established in all four corners of the UK — England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland providing patients with greater access to cutting-edge treatments and clinical trials. The new centres will also help shift clinical trials into community settings, meaning those in under-served regions will be better able to participate in research.
These trials will build UK research delivery leadership into all conditions across multi-specialist centres. This includes cancer and obesity, as well as infectious diseases such as flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The CRDCs will support the rapid set-up of commercial studies so patients can begin accessing treatments undergoing trials as early as possible.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care in the Scottish Government, Neil Gray said: “I am thrilled Scotland will be home to four new Commercial Research Delivery Centres, strengthening our existing clinical research infrastructure and maximising collaboration with partners across the UK.
It shows our continued commitment to supporting our NHS to deliver clinical research most effectively, improving research inclusion and fast-tracking the development of new medicines to patients.”
The funding is part of a wider £400 million joint public-private investment scheme — the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicine Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG) Investment Programme. It is a unique partnership between the government and the pharmaceutical industry to boost the global competitiveness of the UK life science sector and stimulate economic growth.
Richard Torbett, Chief Executive, The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), said: “The injection of funds from industry into this programme is an excellent example of industry and government working in partnership to improve health and drive growth. We know that industry clinical trials bring enormous benefits to the UK economy, generate revenue for the NHS and lead to improved patient outcomes in research-active hospitals.
The CRDCs are geared to support industry clinical trials across many different care settings in the four UK nations. We look forward to the network of new CRDCs working closely with industry to offer more patients across the UK the opportunity to participate in studies of the latest cutting-edge treatments."
The full release can be read on the UK government website..
Commercial Research Delivery Centre Locations by Nation
Scotland
- NHS Lothian
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
- NHS Tayside
- NHS Grampian
England
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
- Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
- University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
- Birmingham Womens’ and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
- Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
- Barts Health NHS Trust
- University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
- Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
- The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
- Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Northern Ireland
- One Northern Ireland approach
Wales
- One Wales approach
VPAG is a voluntary agreement between the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), NHS England and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), designed to improve patient outcomes, manage the NHS medicines bill, and support the life sciences industry. Launched as part of the scheme, additional investment from pharmaceutical companies will support implementation of the investment programme.
