A new £17.9 million ($22.6 million) commitment will make it easier to test advanced therapies and help the UK attract more clinical trials according to the NIHR, the Cell and Gene therapy (CGT) Catapult and Innovate UK.
The money – from the Government backed UK National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) – will fund operations at the Advanced Therapy Treatment Center (ATTC) – a network of sites in Wales and England – for four years.
UK health minister Andrew Stephenson, said: “This investment reaffirms the UK’s position as a global leader in clinical research. It will help roll out revolutionary medical products more quickly, potentially treating the root cause of disorders and diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer.
He added “Harnessing technological and digital innovations is one of our primary focuses under the first ever National Health Service (NHS) Long Term Workforce Plan, enabling new and advanced ways of working.”
At present there are 175 clinical trials of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) being carried out in the UK, according to data from Innovate UK-backed CGT Catapult.
The aim of the investment is to help the UK retain its position as an attractive location for drug research according to Stella Peace, executive director for the healthy living and agriculture domain at Innovate UK.
“From our initial investment to now overseeing the delivery of the new four-year programme, our goal is to ensure the UK maintains its global leadership in clinical research. Our commitment to fostering innovation and scientific advancements is crucial for sustaining this leadership. This drives medical breakthroughs, as well as strengthening the UK economy by attracting investments, generating high-skilled jobs, and positioning us at the forefront of transformative healthcare discoveries.”
The ATTC was established in 2018 with funding through Innovate UK. Over the past six years, the network has worked with the NHS and industry to help develop the healthcare system to deliver advanced therapies to patients.
Part of this work included improving the infrastructure for clinical trials which provide an “invaluable opportunity for patients to access potentially life-changing treatments, especially for those with highly limited treatment options and those living with rare diseases” according to Innovate UK.
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