This article was first published on healthandcare.scot

Clinical research in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde is showing encouraging signs of recovery to pre-pandemic levels, as the health board celebrates the launch of hundreds of new research studies and trials in 2023.

More than 330 new studies have commenced, and more than 1,000 are recruiting or in follow-up across NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHSGGC), according to the board’s annual research and innovation report.

Overall recruitment to clinical trials increased by 14% in 2023 compared to 2022, while commercial trials have seen a 30% increase in recruitment.

Cardiovascular, cancer, and trauma and emergencies were the top three specialities for patient recruitment.

The report, by Professor Julie Brittenden, Director of Research and Innovation at NHSGGC, said studies and overall recruitment are ‘now back to the level seen prior to the pandemic’. 

Dr Jennifer Armstrong, NHSGGC Medical Director, said that the annual report highlights the incredible work happening within research and innovation at the board:

“With hundreds of new studies and trials getting underway in 2023, it was a hugely successful year and we are particularly delighted that so many of our projects directly involve patients who will ultimately benefit from advancements in their care. 

“It is also encouraging to see the number of new studies and trials and overall recruitment recovering to pre-pandemic levels as we continue to play our part in enabling Scotland to grow as an internationally competitive location for clinical research and innovation.”

This recovery comes after studies that were not providing essential care were placed on pause, with the health board also closing temporarily to any new studies during the pandemic.

Efforts to recover clinical research in Glasgow was led by a local Research Resilience and Growth Operational Group, which has focused on streamlining the process and cutting timelines – including a pilot of standardised UK-wide costing and contracts  procedures.

Studies led by the board, hosted studies with a named Glasgow investigator, and commercial trials involving novel medicines were considered priorities in the recovery.

Almost half (487) of the 1,051 studies currently recruiting involve complex clinical trials of novel drug therapies.

A total of 42 are looking at the efficacy of ‘groundbreaking’ gene-based advanced medicinal therapeutics – the focus of a recently published government strategy, which commits the whole of Scotland to support the development and uptake of these innovative new medicines.

Revenue generated via industry clinical research is also on track to equal levels seen pre-pandemic at just below £6m – all of which is able to be reinvested into research and building capacity.

The annual report said that the aim for 2024 is for NHSGGC to continue to play its part as a powerful driver of innovation and overcome challenges, for the benefit of all patients in the NHS.

Report author Professor Brittenden added:

‘Research and Innovation will continue to work collaboratively with our partners in academia and industry to advance our knowledge and practices.

‘The focus is on delivering research and innovation which impacts significantly on patients’ care and experiences, addresses national public health priorities and results in cost-savings and greater efficiencies in the NHS.

‘In the year ahead, the focus is to further develop NHSGGC’s research and innovation portfolio and increase opportunities for patients and clinicians to take part in high quality research and access state of the art therapeutics, devices and innovative technologies which will transform patients’ pathways and service delivery.’