New analysis of the current clinical trial landscape in the UK shows where the opportunities are to shape the future of medical research and patient care.
The first analysis of the UK clinical trial landscape by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the University of Liverpool concludes that the UK is a global leader in clinical research.
The report offers a detailed picture of the UK’s clinical trials landscape. It finds strong innovation – but also a concentration of research in certain disease areas, and opportunities for increased representation of certain patient groups.
“Clinical trials are the backbone of medical progress, essential for developing new medicines and advancing our understanding of diseases,” said Andrea Manfrin, lead author of the study and MHRA deputy director of clinical investigations and trials. “This analysis shows clearly where the UK is leading – and where we need to work with our stakeholders to go further,” she added.
Unrepresented women
The global clinical trials market is expected nearly to double to more than £80 billion by 2032 and insights from the analysis are expected to help shape government policies.
The report looked at the 4,616 clinical trials submitted between 2019 and 2023.
Cancer trials dominate, making up nearly a third of all studies, but other major diseases lag behind. Heart disease – the world’s biggest killer – receives just 5.2% of research focus. Trials for conditions such as chronic pain, respiratory conditions and mental health disorders were among the least common, despite their major impact on public health.
Gene and cell therapies, represent a growing clinical area but make up only 3.4% of trials, despite their potential to transform care for patients with limited treatment options.
The report also highlighted the continuing issue of sexism in clinical trials.
Although both sexes were included in most trials (90%), male-only trials (6.1%) were nearly twice as common as female-only studies (3.7%).
Pregnant and breastfeeding women were represented in 1.1% and 0.6% of trials, respectively, which could impact treatment suitability for these groups.
Go further and move faster
The MHRA is already working with partners across the life sciences sector to increase research and streamline approvals in areas of unmet need through the Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP); improve diversity in trial participation through the development of joint guidance with the Health Research Authority (HRA) so trials reflect the populations they aim to serve; and support more advanced therapy trials through collaboration with researchers via the Centres of Excellence for Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSIs).
“As home to a thriving life sciences sector and the NHS, the UK is uniquely placed to host the trials and research that are taking the fight to a host of devastating health conditions. But as this data shows, we can go further and move faster through targeted investment, and smart regulation,” said Patrick Vallance, UK minister of state for science, research and innovation.
