Sheffield Children’s welcomes multi-million pound research boost for Yorkshire to unlock cutting-edge treatments  

•  New clinical trial centres will be set up in Yorkshire to accelerate research into the next generation of treatments
• Funded through £100 million of public- private investment from pharmaceutical companies, boosting economic growth
• New centres will shift research into the communities across the country, giving more people the chance to benefit from the latest innovative treatments. 

Patients across Yorkshire will have greater access to cutting-edge treatments and clinical trials as the government announces £100 million of public-private investment to set up 20 research hubs across the UK.

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.

The CRDCs in England are part-funded and managed contractually by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

They will be established in all four corners of the UK – England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will receive £3.3 million and £6.9 million respectively in funding.

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.

 In support of the 10 Year Health Plan, CRDCs will shift clinical trials into community settings, meaning those in under-served regions will be better able to participate in research. This will boost access to new treatments in the trial stage.

Health Minister Baroness Gillian Merron said: 

 “This significant private investment in health research is a powerful vote of confidence in the UK’s leading research and life sciences sector.

 “The new hubs will help shift research into smaller communities, allowing more people to access cutting-edge treatments faster.

 “Prevention is better than cure – these trials will help unlock the next generation of treatments, boost economic growth and build an NHS fit for the future.”

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. 

The health of the nation and health of the economy are inextricably linked; the new CRDCs will bolster the UK as a powerhouse for life sciences and med tech, driving economic growth.

The investment boost follows the Plan for Change unveiled by the Prime Minister last week, which sets out ambitious but achievable milestones for the Missions that will drive real improvements in the lives of working people.

As part of the 10 Year Health Plan, the government will shift care from treatment to prevention and this investment will support research into preventative vaccines and medicines, ultimately helping people live healthier lives for longer.

Professor Michael J Cork, Paediatric Dermatologist at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and Director of Sheffield Children’s Commercial Research Delivery Centre said:

 “We’re very proud to be awarded funding by the National Institute of Health and Care Research to be a paediatric focused Commercial Research Delivery Centre.

“Over the past ten years we have worked with the top pharmaceutical companies to lead clinical trials to bring innovative new medicines to children. These trials have transformed the lives of many children and young people, who have been given a new life they never had before treatment.

“The Commercial Research Delivery Centre funding will allow us to substantially increase the number of commercial clinical trials it can support in a variety of specialties. A major focus will be on early intervention with babies, with innovative drugs, to alter the course and/or prevent the development of diseases. This will provide the opportunity to change the lives of children and young people before they’re available in an NHS clinic.”

Professor Dinesh Saralaya, Director at the NIHR Commercial Research Delivery Centre in Bradford, said:

“We are very excited to host an NIHR CRDC at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundations Trust.

“We are excited at the prospect of our patients in Bradford and our surrounding areas having access to cutting-edge novel clinical trials into newer medicines. This will help us deliver better care, and improve research inclusion and the healthcare outcomes of our diverse population.

“The successful bid for the CRDC at Bradford is the culmination of several years of successful delivery into the NIHR commercial research portfolio. We are delighted to be chosen as a CRDC and look forward to working closely with the other CRDCs to deliver the Government’s life sciences strategy.”

Full list of Commercial Research Delivery Centres across the UK:

• Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust 
• 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 
• 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  Scotland 
• NHS Lothian
• NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde  
• NHS Tayside  
• NHS Grampian  
• Wales 
• One Wales approach