Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾

Working with industry is an important part of our research strategy at Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H and Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾.

Joining forces in this way has enabled us to drive improvements in patient care through research.

Our work with industry involves hosting industry sponsored studies and strategic partnerships at Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H and Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾, and collaborative research studies that we carry out with industry partners.

This work is supported by a range of supporting services and expertise including within the Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H/Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Joint Research Office, Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H Clinical Research Facility, and a dedicated Translational Research Office at Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾.

Why do research at Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H?

Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H, situated in the heart of London’s knowledge quarter, is one the largest NHS trusts in the UK, and delivers first-class care and research.

As a world-leading NHS-university partnership at Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H and Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾, we can offer industry partners:

• world-class scientific expertise including key leaders in disease areas
• support with identifying Principal Investigators for expressions of interest
• an excellent and capable research delivery workforce
• world-class infrastructure including a dedicated Clinical Research Facility for early phase studies
• one standardised capacity and capability process with transparent timelines and compatible with HRA requirements
• well supported services and expert support and technical services at Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H, capable of delivering complex research protocols. 
• Diverse patient populations
• unparalleled access to rare diseases via our specialist hospitals
• research support points of contact throughout the research life cycle including the opportunity for regular site-sponsor meetings to discuss escalations and strategic matters
• finally, we are dedicating efforts to ensuring that everyone has the chance to take part in research – no matter what their background.

Clinical specialties and infrastructure

It comprises 10 hospitals including and services in cancer, neurology and infectious diseases.

It hosts the only dedicated in the UK for early-phase neurology studies and are one of only two UK centres for research.

.

Set up of Commercial studies at Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H

Expressions of interest

We are fully supportive of sponsors and CROs sending new expressions of interest directly to Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H and Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ researchers. 

A list of Consultants working at Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H can be found on the . Sponsors and CRO’s interested in contacting cancer specific researchers are also able to contact the Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H Cancer Clinical Trials Unit to share expressions of interest.

A list of current open studies including PIs and the studies’ specialities can be found through the public trials database at Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H .

Alternatively, expressions of Interest can be sent to: uclh.commercial-research@nhs.net.

Capacity and Capability

The main office for Capacity and Capability (C&C) (also referred to as AAC) assessments (site approvals) is the Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H/Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Joint Research Office (JRO). The Cancer Clinical Trials Unit (CCTU) at Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H and the Clinical Research Facility (CRF) will also coordinate C&C for studies happening within their respective areas.

Where CDA’s are required they should be sent to the JRO, CCTU or the CRF (as applicable).

The set-up process for Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H includes close collaboration and a single, standard procedure which includes finance, contracting, governance, and clinical support and technical departments. This includes imaging, pharmacy, nuclear medicine, pathology and information governance. This single and collaborative process can identify and respond to issues and adapt to study requirements.

Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H is an active contributor to national initiatives to improve the delivery of research in the NHS – for instance the National Contract Value Review (NCVR), Health Research Authority requirements for site set-up and model contracts.

Read more about the requirements for set-up at Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H, on the JRO Assess, Arrange and Confirm (AAC) pages

Innovations and Collaboration in research

At Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H and Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾, we are innovating in the way we deliver research.

We are leaders in digital-enabled research – Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H having in place a hospitals-wide electronic health record and a which provides us with the robust environment and infrastructure necessary for the analysis of clinical data.

We are trialling designed to improve research efficiency, and developing research based on ‘nudge randomisation’ – an innovation in trial design where clinicians are automatically prompted by an alert in the electronic health record to consider whether a patient may be suitable for a clinical trial.

We have rolled out research using novel trial designs where multiple interventions can be trialled at the same time – rather than .

We are developing methodologies and partnerships for decentralised research – enabling our trials to take place outside of the hospital setting – for example through remote monitoring of research participants and trial follow up in the community and primary care.

Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ has a dedicated Translational Research Office, supported by our NIHR Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H Biomedical Research Centre which has specialist staff to develop scientific partnerships and collaborations with industry partners.

Best practice in set up of commercial studies

Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H was central to the development of published in 2023 aimed at improving the process of commercial clinical trial set-up in the UK.

The guidance was developed by NHS and industry representatives through a process co-led by Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H/Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Managing Director for Research Dr Nick McNally, who is chair of UK Research & Development (UKRD), a representative body for R&D leaders in the NHS.

The guide aims to reduce the amount of time taken to set up research and in so doing to increase patients’ access to research.

A 2024 audit at Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H showed we are compliant with this best practice guidance in almost all areas. We are working with our industry partners to align completely with this national guidance.

Single point of contact

If you are interested in working with Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾H and Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾, in the first instance please contact: uclh.commercial-research@nhs.net.