Pioneering Southampton clinical research facility receives £10m boost
Clinicians and scientists at University Hospital Southampton (UHS) have been awarded £10 million to continue leading and participating in groundbreaking clinical trials.
The five-year funding arrangement for the NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility – a partnership between UHS and the University of Southampton – will help support studies into a range of novel treatments.
The award is part of a £161 million national investment from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) announced this week to boost the delivery of early-stage clinical research across England.
More than 800 clinical trials have been completed in Southampton over the last 10 years covering a range of conditions including many types of cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), infection and inflammation, musculoskeletal and neurological conditions in both adults and children.
Southampton has also been a crucial partner in the nationwide COVID-19 response, delivering the highest number of COVID-19 studies across all acute NHS trusts.
The Clinical Research Facility (CRF) created a dedicated vaccine trials centre within a locked-down university sports hall in just four days, opened a study of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine within a week and, by August 2020, had recruited almost 700 people to early phase trials of the vaccine.
I am delighted that our outstanding track-record and long-term strategy have been recognised through ongoing NIHR funding in Southampton and, with support from our patients and healthy volunteers, our studies will continue to shape the next generation of healthcare.
In addition, Southampton respiratory research has played a key part in the development of a treatment for COVID-19 following more than 10 years of trials in the CRF.
Professor Saul Faust, director of NIHR Southampton CRF, said: “The research delivered by our CRF since it was first funded in 1998 has provided faster access for patients to novel treatments.
“These new advances are driving better health outcomes for all and boosting our national economy.
“I am delighted that our outstanding track-record and long-term strategy have been recognised through ongoing NIHR funding in Southampton and, with support from our patients and healthy volunteers, our studies will continue to shape the next generation of healthcare.”
The centre has been supported by the community across the region with more than 13,000 people volunteering to take part in Southampton research studies this past year, meaning the city ranked ninth for total recruitment amongst all NHS trusts.
Dr Karen Underwood, interim director of research and development at UHS, said: “Pioneering research and innovation is vital to the successful delivery of the Trust’s clinical strategy.
“We welcome this new funding for the NIHR Southampton CRF and are committed to continue growing our research workforce and estate in the coming years.
“With hundreds of studies happening at any one time across a wide range of conditions, we want all people to have the opportunity to take part in research.”
UHS is one of 28 NHS hospitals across England to receive a share of the nationwide investment, with the £10.5 million allocation running from 2022 to 2027.