The global clinical trials market is expected to nearly double to over £80 billion by 2032 and the United Kingdom remains one of the world’s leading destinations for conducting clinical research. Notably, the UK accounts for approximately 9.5% of all global cell and gene therapy clinical trials, highlighting its strength in the Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP including cell and gene therapies) sector as well as broader pharmaceutical and biotechnology clinical research and development.
The consistent growth in the number of clinical trials conducted in the UK reflects its attractive research ecosystem, supported by strong infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and a progressive regulatory framework led by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). If you’re developing an Investigational Medicinal Product (IMP) and considering where to run your clinical trial, here are four reasons why you should consider the UK:
- Access to a Single, Publicly Funded Healthcare System – the NHS
The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is the world’s largest publicly funded healthcare provider, delivering free care to approximately 69 million people and treating around 1.4 million patients every 24 hours. Furthermore, the NHS is deeply committed to engaging in clinical research and trials. The NHS Constitution pledges that all patients have the right to be informed about research studies they may be eligible for. In the past five years, 100% of NHS organisations have been research-active, and 75% have contributed to commercially sponsored clinical trials, making it a uniquely integrated and research-friendly healthcare system.
- Streamlined Regulatory Processes
The UK’s Combined Review allows for a single application to both the MHRA and Research Ethics Committee (REC), enabling faster approvals and reducing administrative burden. Recently introduced reforms to clinical trial regulation aim to make the process even more efficient and adaptable. In addition to this, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) provides national infrastructure and support for high-quality clinical research, including feasibility assessments, site identification, and patient recruitment.
- Large and Diverse Population
With a population of approximately 69 million, the UK offers access to a large and ethnically diverse patient population, particularly in major urban centres like London. This diversity supports inclusive recruitment strategies and enables trial outcomes that are more generalisable, aligning with the increasing regulatory emphasis on population diversity from agencies including the FDA and EMA. HiTech Health have established relationships with clinical trial sites across the UK and our team have in-depth knowledge on what is required to initiate your clinical trial in the UK. The UK offers close collaboration between IMP developers, CDMOs, CROs, research institutes, and clinical trial sites, enabling efficient and coordinated study delivery.
- Access to a Skilled Workforce and Qualified Persons (QPs)
The UK is home to a highly skilled life sciences workforce, supported by world-class universities and a strong track record in innovative research. Clinical trial sponsors benefit from access to experienced scientists, clinical professionals, and Qualified Persons (QPs) who play a critical role in IMP batch certification and release.
While Brexit introduced separate regulatory pathways and licence requirements for the UK and EU, such as independent Manufacturer’s/Importer’s Authorisations (MIAs) and QP release, the industry has adapted well. At HiTech Health, we hold MIAs in both the UK and EU, and our QP teams operate across both regions, enabling seamless support for sponsors running trials in either or both jurisdictions. We are delighted to support a diverse portfolio of developers as they navigate the clinical trial landscape across Europe.
About HiTech Health (HTH)
We are a GMP-certified Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) specialising in advanced therapies, including cell and gene therapies. Our team provide professional consulting services to support with product development, launch and supply across the advanced therapy, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device sectors.
Key Services or areas where HTH can help include:
- Qualified Persons (QPs) for both the EU and the UK.
- Contract Development and Manufacturing (CDMO) for advanced medicines and small volume aseptic products.
- Packaging, labelling, storage (incl Cryo) and distribution to clinical trial sites in the UK as well as the EU.
- HTH is an Importer of Record (IOR) for both the EU and the UK. We have trained Responsible Personnel (RPs) who can support logistics and supply of medicines.
- Clinical site readiness for patient treatment (CMC activities) for example using advanced therapies where handling, storage and thawing of cells is critical.
Interested in Learning More?
Contact us today to arrange a call and discover how HiTech Health can support your clinical trial journey in the UK.
IE: +353-1-9631489 | UK: +44-20-30267419 | US: +1-857-3265835
Email: info@hitech-health.com
Author: Paul Crozier
Date: 1st July 2025