The new network will provide strategic coordination of all 21 CRDCs across the four nations of the UK. It will play a key role in building research capacity,  streamlining the interface between industry and the UK clinical trials delivery infrastructure, and enhancing efficiency to deliver commercial clinical research through harmonised processes, in line with the Prime Minister’s call to turbocharge medical research earlier this year. 

By adopting a UK-wide approach to delivering commercial clinical trials, more patients will have the opportunity to receive the latest innovative treatments through research.

What are the Commercial Research Delivery Centres? 

The CRDCs were announced in December 2024, supported by a public-private funding partnership between government and the pharmaceutical industry. The aim of the CRDCs is to accelerate and strengthen commercial clinical research delivery to increase the UK’s global competitiveness in life sciences. Primary Care CRDCs will join the network in November to support the shift from hospital to community in England. These are GP-led centres with a track record of delivering commercial research, who are poised to hit the ground running on day one.

Industry funding for the CRDCs is provided via the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicine Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG) Investment Programme, contributing up to £300m to boost delivery of commercial clinical trials in the UK. Those in England are jointly funded through the NIHR to offer a sustainable infrastructure for industry up to the end of March 2031. [1]

The CRDCs work with the life sciences industry and other research infrastructure to deliver commercially sponsored research in the UK.  

What is the role of the network? 

The UK CRDC Network host will coordinate operations across the CRDCs to ensure streamlined and harmonised delivery of commercial clinical research across the UK. 

The network will:

• Provide strategic leadership and national coordination across the 21 CRDCs across the UK.
• Offer a central point of contact for industry sponsors.
• Facilitate study feasibility, placement and setup across the UK.
• Foster collaboration with regulators, wider NIHR and UK-wide delivery infrastructure, and other key stakeholders to advance UK Clinical Research Delivery.
• Support workforce development, inclusion, and public involvement.
• Facilitate the integration of the Primary Care Commercial Research Delivery Centres (PC-CRDCs) in England in autumn 2025, adopting them into the network.

By aligning CRDC efforts and offering a cohesive offer to industry, the network will ensure that the CRDCs deliver against industry expectations for faster, more efficient set up and delivery of commercial research in the UK.

Find out more on the NIHR website