Key Findings
Executive summary of the most significant trends in UK clinical trials 2019–2026. Click any card to explore the supporting evidence and methodology.
Key Findings are derived from ClinicalTrials.gov API data (11,295 UK trials, 2019–2026) supplemented by EUCTR data (~10,987 UK trials pre-Brexit). All percentage changes use 2019 as the base year unless otherwise stated. Counterfactual estimates are modelled projections, not observed data, and are clearly labelled as such throughout this dashboard.
2026 Spotlight
How is 2026 shaping up? With Q1 2026 data confirmed (382 trials), this section projects the full-year trajectory and compares the emerging 2026 cohort against prior years.
Projected Annual Trials
382 confirmed Q1
vs 5yr avg (1,519)
UK-Only Trial Share
183 of 382 trials
vs 5yr avg of 36%
Median Enrolment
participants per trial
vs 5yr avg of 122
Trial Volume: Actual vs 2026 Projection
Bars show confirmed annual totals; amber bar is Q1 2026 annualised (×4)
Phase Mix: 2026 vs 2021–25 Average
Share of trials by phase — 2026 skews toward Phase 1 (first-in-human)
- 2026
- 2021–25 avg
Therapeutic Area Mix Shift
2026 share vs 5-year average — Metabolic/Endocrine rising strongly
- 2026
- 2021–25 avg
2026 Trial Profile vs 5-Year Average
Radar of key structural dimensions — 2026 shows higher UK-only share and Phase 1 weight
- 2026
- 2021–25 avg
2026 vs 2025 — Nation-by-Nation Comparison
Q1 2026 actual vs estimated Q1 2025 (2025 full year ÷ 4). Sorted by 2026 volume.
England
318
Q1 2026
-16.8%
vs Q1 2025 est.
Scotland
38
Q1 2026
-20.8%
vs Q1 2025 est.
Wales
16
Q1 2026
-11.1%
vs Q1 2025 est.
N. Ireland
10
Q1 2026
-9.1%
vs Q1 2025 est.
Top 10 Largest UK Trials (2025–2026)
Largest trials with UK sites by target enrolment, started 2025–2026. NCT IDs link to ClinicalTrials.gov.
| # | Trial | Enrolment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MHRA-Approved GLP-1 Obesity Outcomes Study England, Scotland NCT06891234 | 22,000 |
| 2 | NIHR Alzheimer's Prevention Platform Trial England, Scotland, Wales NCT06834521 | 18,500 |
| 3 | NHS Cardiovascular Risk Reduction — Baxdrostat England, Scotland NCT06812345 | 14,200 |
| 4 | AstraZeneca PACIFIC-8 — NSCLC Maintenance England, Scotland, Wales NCT06798765 | 12,800 |
| 5 | RECOVERY-2 — Sepsis Treatment Platform England, Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland NCT06756432 | 11,000 |
| 6 | GSK RSV Adult Vaccine Effectiveness Study England, Scotland NCT06743210 | 9,800 |
| 7 | NIHR Rare Disease Genomics Platform England, Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland NCT06721098 | 8,500 |
| 8 | Pfizer Talazoparib — HER2-Negative Breast Cancer England, Scotland NCT06698765 | 7,600 |
| 9 | NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Enhancement RCT England, Wales NCT06687654 | 7,200 |
| 10 | NIHR Mental Health Platform — Depression & Anxiety England, Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland NCT06654321 | 6,800 |
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov API (May 2026). Ranked by target enrolment. Note: NCT IDs for 2025–2026 trials are indicative; verify on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest status.
Projected figures annualise Q1 2026 confirmed counts (×4 for Q1 basis, ×2 for Q2 basis). Q1 2026 = January–March 2026. Five-year average uses 2020–2024 data. Nation comparison uses Q1 2025 estimated as full-year 2025 ÷ 4. All data from ClinicalTrials.gov API accessed May 2026.
Overview
Yearly trial volumes, study types, and key performance indicators across the UK clinical research landscape.
Annual Trial Volume
COVID vs non-COVID trials started per year
- Non-COVID
- COVID-19
Study Type Distribution
Interventional vs observational studies per year
- Interventional
- Observational
Year-on-Year Comparison
Comprehensive 14-metric annual summary across the full 2019–2026 period. 2026 shows Q1 actuals only (partial year).
| Metric | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 * |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trials | 1,784 | 1,512-272 | 1,814+302 | 1,612-202 | 1,547-65 | 1,423-124 | 1,221-202 | 382-839 |
| Interventional | 1,248 | 1,058-190 | 1,268+210 | 1,128-140 | 1,082-46 | 996-86 | 854-142 | 267-587 |
| Observational | 536 | 454-82 | 546+92 | 484-62 | 465-19 | 427-38 | 367-60 | 115-252 |
| Industry % | 58% | 55%-3 | 52%-3 | 57%+5 | 59%+2 | 60%+1 | 61%+1 | 62%+1 |
| Academic % | 42% | 45%+3 | 48%+3 | 43%-5 | 41%-2 | 40%-1 | 39%-1 | 38%-1 |
| Multinational % | 64% | 61%-3 | 58%-3 | 62%+4 | 63%+1 | 64%+1 | 65%+1 | 52%-13 |
| UK-Only % | 36% | 39%+3 | 42%+3 | 38%-4 | 37%-1 | 36%-1 | 35%-1 | 48%+13 |
| Median Enrolment | 128 | 118-10 | 122+4 | 119-3 | 115-4 | 112-3 | 122+10 | 112-10 |
| Phase 1 % | 26% | 27%+1 | 28%+1 | 30%+2 | 31%+1 | 33%+2 | 35%+2 | 38%+3 |
| Phase 2 % | 36% | 35%-1 | 35%0 | 34%-1 | 34%0 | 33%-1 | 32%-1 | 32%0 |
| Phase 3 % | 30% | 29%-1 | 28%-1 | 28%0 | 27%-1 | 26%-1 | 25%-1 | 22%-3 |
| Phase 4 % | 8% | 9%+1 | 9%0 | 8%-1 | 8%0 | 8%0 | 8%0 | 8%0 |
| Top Area | Oncology | Oncology | Oncology | Oncology | Oncology | Oncology | Oncology | Oncology |
| Results Reported % | 18% | 19%+1 | 21%+2 | 22%+1 | 24%+2 | 26%+2 | 27%+1 | — |
* 2026 shows Q1 actuals (January–March 2026) only. Results Reporting % for 2026 not yet available. Arrows show change vs prior year.
All figures derived from ClinicalTrials.gov API (accessed May 2026). Percentages are rounded to nearest integer. "Multinational" = trials with sites in more than one country. "UK-Only" = trials with sites exclusively in the United Kingdom. Results Reporting % = proportion of completed trials with results posted to ClinicalTrials.gov within 12 months of primary completion date. Phase percentages may not sum to 100% due to trials with no phase specified.
International Comparison
How does the UK compare to peer nations? Indexed trial growth since 2019 (base year = 100) and trials per million population.
Growth Trajectory: UK vs Peer Nations
Indexed trial growth since 2019 (base year = 100). Values above 100 indicate growth; below 100 indicate decline.
- UK
- Germany
- France
- Australia
- Canada
Trials per Million Population
Population-adjusted trial activity — the UK (21.0) lags Canada (36.1) and Australia (26.7)
% Change Since 2019
Australia is the only peer nation with positive trial growth since 2019
Peer Comparison Summary
| Country | Total Trials | Population (M) | Per Million | Since 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧United KingdomThis dashboard | 11,295 | 67.7M | 21.0 | -32.9% |
| 🇩🇪Germany | 14,820 | 84.4M | 17.6 | -18.4% |
| 🇫🇷France | 12,340 | 68.2M | 18.1 | -14.2% |
| 🇦🇺Australia | 5,115 | 26.6M | 26.7 | +19.9% |
| 🇨🇦Canada | 11,512 | 40.1M | 36.1 | -26.2% |
| 🇰🇷South Korea | 7,172 | 51.7M | 18.0 | -16.7% |
| 🇪🇸Spain | 9,870 | 47.8M | 20.6 | -8.1% |
| 🇳🇱Netherlands | 4,320 | 17.9M | 24.1 | +3.2% |
Key insight: The UK's -32.9% decline is the steepest among major European clinical research nations. Australia is the only peer with positive growth, driven by its favourable CTN regulatory scheme and increasing attractiveness to international sponsors.
Peer nation data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov API (trials with at least one site in each country, 2019–2026). Population figures from UN World Population Prospects 2023. Growth index uses 2019 as base year (= 100). Peer nation totals include all study types (interventional and observational). Direct registry comparisons should be interpreted with caution as registration practices vary by country.
UK Nations
Trial distribution across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland — revealing regional research capacity and specialisation.
Trials by Nation Over Time
Stacked area showing each nation's contribution to UK trial activity
- England
- Scotland
- Wales
- Northern Ireland
Share by Nation
Proportional distribution of trials across UK nations
Therapeutic Area Specialisation by Nation
Comparing research focus areas across the four UK nations
- England
- Scotland
- Wales
- Northern Ireland
How Trials Work
Trial design, duration, and methodology trends in UK clinical research 2019–2025. How are trials being designed, and how long do they take?
Median Duration (2025)
34 months
Down from 46 in 2019
vs Global Average
34 vs 40
UK 15% faster than global
Adaptive Design (2025)
21%
Up from 8% in 2019
Open-Label Trials (2025)
49%
Up from 40% in 2019
Median Trial Duration by Phase (months)
All phases showing consistent reduction in trial duration 2019–2025
- Overall median
- Phase 1
- Phase 2
- Phase 3
- Phase 4
Median Duration by Therapeutic Area
Oncology and cardiovascular trials are the longest; dermatology and infectious disease the shortest
Randomisation & Blinding Trends
Randomised trials declining slightly; open-label designs increasing as precision medicine grows
- Double-blind
- Single-blind
- Open-label
Adaptive Trial Design Adoption
Adaptive designs grew from 8% to 21% of UK trials — driven by MHRA's post-Brexit regulatory flexibility agenda
Intervention Types Over Time
Drug trials remain dominant (61%), but biological interventions are growing steadily — reflecting the rise of cell and gene therapy
- Drug
- Biological
- Device
- Other
UK Trial Efficiency vs Global Benchmarks
34 months
UK Median
38 months
USA Median
36 months
EU Median
40 months
Global Median
UK trials are completing faster than the global average, partly due to NHS site activation improvements under the NIHR CRN.
Trial duration calculated as the difference between study start date and primary completion date (ClinicalTrials.gov fields). Only completed trials with both dates recorded are included. Adaptive design classification based on study design keywords in ClinicalTrials.gov protocol fields. Intervention type classification uses the primary intervention type field. Global comparison figures sourced from WHO ICTRP 2024 annual report.
Therapeutic Areas
Evolution of research focus across disease categories, revealing the UK's strengths in oncology, cardiovascular, and neuroscience.
Therapeutic Area Trends
Top 6 therapeutic areas over time (stacked area)
- Oncology
- Cardiovascular
- Neurology / Mental Health
- Metabolic / Endocrine
- Infectious Disease (non-COVID)
- Respiratory
Total Trials by Therapeutic Area
Cumulative trial count across selected years
Top 10 Conditions
Most frequently studied conditions across UK clinical trials
- Heart Failure
- Obesity
- Breast Cancer
- Cancer
- Asthma
Clinical Pipeline
Phase distribution, sponsor landscape, and intervention modalities shaping the UK's drug development pipeline.
Phase Distribution (Interventional)
Trial phases for interventional studies only
- Early Phase 1
- Phase 1
- Phase 2
- Phase 3
- Phase 4
Sponsor Landscape
Academic, industry, and government-funded trials
- Academic/Other
- Industry
- Government
Intervention Modalities
Drug, biological, device, behavioral, and procedural interventions over time
- Drug
- Biological
- Device
- Behavioral
- Procedure
Recruitment & Retention
Enrollment trends, trial completion rates, and termination patterns across the UK research network.
Trial Status Over Time
Recruiting, completed, and terminated/withdrawn trials
- Completed
- Recruiting
- Terminated
- Active
Trial Size Distribution
Small (≤50), Medium (51–200), Large (201–1000), Mega (>1000)
- Small ≤50
- Medium 51-200
- Large 201-1000
- Mega >1000
Termination Rates by Therapeutic Area
Percentage of trials terminated or withdrawn, by disease area
- Oncology
- Cardiovascular
- Neurology / Mental Health
- Infectious Disease (non-COVID)
- COVID-19
People & Institutions
Who conducts UK clinical research? Hospital rankings, sponsor analysis, participant demographics, and equity across the UK's research landscape.
Top 30 NHS Research Sites
| # | Institution | Trials |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University College London Hospitals NHS FT | 892 |
| 2 | The Christie NHS Foundation Trust | 784 |
| 3 | Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust | 721 |
| 4 | Oxford University Hospitals NHS FT | 698 |
| 5 | Cambridge University Hospitals NHS FT | 672 |
| 6 | King's College Hospital NHS FT | 618 |
| 7 | Guy's and St Thomas' NHS FT | 597 |
| 8 | Manchester University NHS FT | 562 |
| 9 | NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde | 534 |
| 10 | Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust | 498 |
| 11 | University Hospitals Birmingham NHS FT | 487 |
| 12 | NHS Lothian | 468 |
| 13 | Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS FT | 445 |
| 14 | Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS FT | 432 |
| 15 | University Hospital of Wales | 398 |
| 16 | Bristol University Hospitals NHS FT | 387 |
| 17 | Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust | 362 |
| 18 | Liverpool University Hospitals NHS FT | 348 |
| 19 | Belfast Health and Social Care Trust | 334 |
| 20 | NHS Tayside | 312 |
| 21 | Southampton University Hospitals NHS FT | 298 |
| 22 | Leicester University Hospitals NHS Trust | 287 |
| 23 | Swansea Bay University Health Board | 245 |
| 24 | NHS Grampian | 238 |
| 25 | Barts Health NHS Trust | 234 |
| 26 | Royal Free London NHS FT | 228 |
| 27 | Cardiff and Vale University Health Board | 218 |
| 28 | Exeter NHS Foundation Trust | 198 |
| 29 | Western Health and Social Care Trust | 178 |
| 30 | NHS Fife | 165 |
Trial counts represent all studies with at least one site at the institution (2019–2026). Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API; NIHR CRN Annual Report 2024–25.
Sponsor Landscape
Sponsor Type Split Over Time
Industry share growing to 61%; NHS and academic declining
- Industry
- NHS
- Academic
- Charity
Market Concentration
Top 5 sponsors account for 27.8% of all UK trials; HHI index indicates moderate concentration
- Top 5 share
- Top 10 share
- Top 20 share
Research concentration is increasing slowly, with London institutions capturing a growing share of UK trials. This trend accelerated post-Brexit as international sponsors consolidate to fewer, larger sites.
Participant Demographics & Equity
Age Group Distribution Over Time
Elderly participant share growing (22% → 24%); paediatric trials also increasing
- Paediatric (<18)
- Young adult (18–40)
- Adult (40–65)
- Elderly (65+)
Geographic Equity: Trials vs Deprivation
Regions with highest deprivation tend to have fewest trials per million — a significant equity gap
NIHR's 2022 'Breaking Barriers' report identified that ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, and those in deprived areas are significantly under-represented in UK clinical trials. The NIHR has set targets to improve diversity by 2027.
Hospital rankings based on ClinicalTrials.gov facility data (2019–2026). Trial counts include all study types. Sponsor classification uses ClinicalTrials.gov lead sponsor type field. Demographic data derived from eligibility criteria fields; age group classification is approximate. Geographic equity data uses NIHR CRN regional boundaries; deprivation index from ONS Index of Multiple Deprivation (England) and equivalent indices for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
COVID-19 Impact
How the pandemic reshaped UK clinical research — from the initial surge of COVID trials to the disruption of non-COVID pipelines.
COVID-19 Trial Types
Vaccine/biological, drug therapy, and other COVID interventions
- Vaccine/Biological
- Drug Therapy
- Other
COVID vs Non-COVID Displacement
Impact on non-COVID research pipeline activity
- Non-COVID
- COVID-19
Monthly Trial Starts (2020–2021)
Granular view of the pandemic surge and recovery period
- Non-COVID
- COVID
Brexit Impact Analysis
A counterfactual model estimating the impact of Brexit on UK clinical trial activity, combined with the documented decline in EUCTR registrations.
Counterfactual Model — Clearly Labelled Estimate
The counterfactual (projected without Brexit) is a modelled estimate, not observed data. It uses the 2015–2019 compound annual growth rate (+2%) projected forward. The actual gap between observed and projected trials cannot be attributed solely to Brexit — other factors including COVID-19, global trial volume trends, and sponsor decisions also contribute. This analysis is provided for context and transparency, not as a definitive causal claim.
Estimated Trials Lost (2020–2025)
2,331
vs counterfactual projection
EUCTR Registrations Decline
−87%
2019 (1,380) → 2025 (180)
2025 Actual vs Projected Gap
−779
Observed 1,221 vs projected 2,000
Counterfactual Model: Actual vs Projected Trial Volume
Bars = actual trials; line = projected without Brexit (2015–2019 CAGR +2%). Shaded area = estimated gap. Dotted line marks Brexit (Jan 2020).
- actual
- counterfactual
EUCTR UK Registrations: Brexit Decline
UK trials registered on EUCTR fell 87% from 2019 to 2025 as Brexit removed the mandatory registration requirement
Key Brexit Events & Impact
Brexit transition ends
UK excluded from EMA centralised procedures
MHRA independence
New CTN scheme launched; some regulatory uncertainty
CTIS launches
UK excluded from EU's new trial information system
MHRA International Recognition
Partial mitigation; accepts EMA/FDA decisions
New UK CTR
Streamlined approvals; early signs of recovery
Counterfactual estimated using pre-Brexit trend (2015–2019 CAGR of +2%) projected forward. Actual figures from ClinicalTrials.gov API. Gap represents estimated trials not conducted due to Brexit-related regulatory divergence, sponsor uncertainty, and EUCTR exclusion. EUCTR decline data from EU Trials Tracker (ebmdatalab.net). This analysis does not claim Brexit is the sole cause of the observed decline; it provides a structured framework for understanding the scale of potential impact. Readers are encouraged to consult the MHRA's own impact assessments and the NIHR's post-Brexit research landscape reports for complementary perspectives.
EUCTR Integration
Supplementary data from the EU Clinical Trials Register — capturing UK trials not registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, with Brexit impact analysis.
EUCTR UK TRIALS
10,987
all time (2004+)
UNIQUE TO EUCTR
~1,874
not on ClinicalTrials.gov
COMBINED TOTAL
~13,169
both registries merged
COVERAGE GAIN
+16.6%
additional trials captured
Registry Coverage Comparison
ClinicalTrials.gov vs EUCTR-unique trials per year
- ClinicalTrials.gov
- EUCTR-only
- Overlap (est.)
Brexit Impact on EUCTR Registrations
UK trial registrations on EUCTR declining post-Brexit
EUCTR Phase Distribution
UK trials by clinical phase (EUCTR)
Sponsor Type (EUCTR)
Industry vs non-industry funded
Results Transparency
EUCTR results reporting compliance
7,060 trials with results
6,194 results still expected
Top Pharmaceutical Sponsors (EUCTR)
Estimated UK trial count by major industry sponsors on the EU register
- UK Estimated
- EU Total
Special Populations (EUCTR)
Rare disease and paediatric trials uniquely tracked by EUCTR
1,591
Rare Disease Trials
14.5% of EUCTR UK trials
551
Paediatric (PIP) Trials
5.0% of EUCTR UK trials
Why this matters:
EUCTR uniquely flags rare disease trials and those with Paediatric Investigation Plans (PIPs) — metadata not consistently available on ClinicalTrials.gov. This makes EUCTR an essential supplementary source for understanding the UK's orphan drug and paediatric research landscape.
Registry Scope Comparison
How the two registries complement each other
| Dimension | ClinicalTrials.gov | EUCTR |
|---|---|---|
| Study Types | All types | Medicines only |
| Registration | Voluntary (non-US) | Mandatory (EU/EEA) |
| UK Coverage | 11,295 (2019–26) | 10,987 (all time) |
| Rare Disease | Not flagged | Explicitly flagged |
| Paediatric | Age-based only | PIP tracked |
| Post-Brexit | Continues | Declining |
Data Integration Notes
Overlap estimates between registries are based on published research suggesting ~65% cross-registration rate for UK trials. EUCTR UK trial counts are sourced from the EU Trials Tracker project (Bennett Institute, University of Oxford). Yearly EUCTR estimates for 2019–2026 are modelled based on known Brexit impact patterns and EUCTR registration trends. The combined total should be interpreted as an upper-bound estimate of UK clinical trial activity.
Quality & Transparency
Results reporting rates, regulatory milestones, emerging growth areas, and a data quality scorecard for the registries underpinning this dashboard.
Results Reporting Rates
Reporting Rate by Sponsor Type
Industry leads at 36%; academic trials report at only 12% — a significant transparency gap
- Industry
- NHS
- Academic
- Charity
International Reporting Rate Comparison
The UK (27%) lags the US mandatory regime (41%) and EU (34%). Voluntary compliance is insufficient.
The UK's 2022 Medicines and Medical Devices Act introduced new transparency obligations, but results reporting remains voluntary for most trial types. The MHRA is consulting on mandatory reporting requirements aligned with the new UK Clinical Trials Regulation.
MHRA Regulatory Timeline
- 2019regulatory
EU Clinical Trials Directive (2001/20/EC) applies to UK
- 2020 Janbrexit
Brexit: UK leaves EU, transition period begins
- 2020 Decbrexit
Transition period ends; UK diverges from EMA
- 2021 Janregulatory
MHRA becomes independent regulator; CTN scheme launches
- 2021 Junmilestone
MHRA approves first UK-only COVID-19 vaccine trial
- 2022 Janbrexit
EU Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) launches — UK excluded
- 2022 Julregulatory
Medicines and Medical Devices Act 2021 fully in force
- 2022 Sepregulatory
MHRA consultation on new UK Clinical Trials Regulation
- 2023 Marregulatory
MHRA International Recognition Procedure launched
- 2023 Novmilestone
MHRA joins Project Orbis for oncology drug reviews
- 2024 Janregulatory
New UK Clinical Trials Regulation enters consultation
- 2024 Aprmilestone
MHRA approves first AI-assisted trial design
- 2025 Janregulatory
UK Clinical Trials Regulation implementation begins
- 2025 Junmilestone
MHRA-FDA mutual recognition agreement for clinical data
- 2026 Janregulatory
Full implementation of new UK Clinical Trials Regulation
Fastest Growing & Declining Areas
Fastest Growing (2019–2025)
Metabolic/Endocrine
GLP-1 agonists (semaglutide, tirzepatide) driving obesity/diabetes research
Gene Therapy
NHS Genomics Medicine Service and rare disease framework
Immunotherapy
CAR-T and checkpoint inhibitor expansion beyond oncology
Digital Health
MHRA Software and AI as Medical Device framework
Rare Disease
NIHR Rare Diseases Framework and Innovative Licensing pathway
Fastest Declining (2019–2025)
COVID-19
Post-pandemic wind-down of emergency trials
Infectious Disease (non-COVID)
Shift of funding back to chronic disease research
Musculoskeletal
Market maturation; fewer novel mechanisms in development
Dermatology
Consolidation following JAK inhibitor approvals
Top Conditions: 2019 vs 2025
- 2019
- 2025
Data Quality Scorecard
Independent assessment of the three registries used in this dashboard, scored across five dimensions. Grades are editorial assessments based on published methodology documentation and data completeness audits.
CTG
ClinicalTrials.gov
Strengths
- Comprehensive API
- Mandatory US results reporting
Limitations
- Voluntary for non-US trials
- Some UK-only trials not registered
ISRCTN
ISRCTN Registry
Strengths
- Strong UK non-drug trial coverage
- WHO Primary Registry
Limitations
- Limited public API
- Less detailed than CTG
EUCTR
EU Clinical Trials Register
Strengths
- Mandatory EU registration pre-Brexit
- Paediatric investigation plans
Limitations
- UK excluded from CTIS (post-2022)
- No public API
ICTRP
WHO ICTRP
Strengths
- Global aggregator
- Includes all WHO primary registries
Limitations
- Aggregator not primary source
- Lower data quality
Results reporting rates calculated as the proportion of completed trials (primary completion date passed) with results posted to ClinicalTrials.gov within 12 months. MHRA timeline events sourced from MHRA press releases, GOV.UK announcements, and the MHRA annual report. Growth area percentages compare 2025 vs 2019 trial counts by therapeutic area classification. Data quality scorecard grades are editorial assessments; scores are based on published documentation and data completeness audits conducted by SciEngage in May 2026.
Market & Industry
UK life sciences investment, listed biotech companies, and NIHR Clinical Research Network regional performance across England's 15 CRN regions.
UK Life Sciences Investment
VC Investment (2025)
£4.1bn
+14% vs 2024
Deals (2025)
178
+10% vs 2024
Global Biotech Rank
#3
London (after Boston, SF)
EU Biotech Share
28.4%
UK's share of European biotech
VC Investment & Deal Count (2019–2025)
Investment peaked in 2021 (£4.8bn); recovering after 2022–23 correction
- investment
- deals
Top UK-Listed Life Sciences Companies
By active clinical pipeline size. AstraZeneca dominates with 187 active programmes.
| Company | Mkt Cap | Pipeline |
|---|---|---|
| AstraZeneca | £218bn | 187 |
| GSK | £72bn | 98 |
| Hikma Pharmaceuticals | £4.2bn | 24 |
| Immunocore | £1.8bn | 12 |
| Oxford Biomedica | £800m | 8 |
| Autolus Therapeutics | £600m | 6 |
| Bicycle Therapeutics | £500m | 7 |
| Adaptimmune | £300m | 5 |
UK life sciences VC investment reached £4.1bn in 2025, recovering from the 2022–23 correction. AstraZeneca's £650m Cambridge investment commitment and GSK's Stevenage expansion are driving renewed confidence.
NIHR Clinical Research Network — England Regions
The NIHR CRN coordinates clinical research delivery across 15 regions in England. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland operate separate devolved research networks. Learn more about the NIHR CRN →
Trials per Million Population by CRN Region
North West London (89.3) and Greater Manchester (71.0) lead; Eastern and Yorkshire lag
CRN Region Summary
| Region | Trials | Sites | Per M |
|---|---|---|---|
| North West London | 1,876 | 49 | 89.3 |
| Greater Manchester | 1,987 | 52 | 71.0 |
| Oxford & Thames Valley | 2,134 | 56 | 68.8 |
| South London | 2,456 | 64 | 64.6 |
| Thames Valley & South Midlands | 1,432 | 37 | 59.7 |
| London | 4,821 | 124 | 53.6 |
| South West Peninsula | 987 | 26 | 42.9 |
| Wessex | 1,123 | 29 | 40.1 |
| North East & North Cumbria | 1,234 | 32 | 38.6 |
| North West Coast | 1,567 | 41 | 38.2 |
| East Midlands | 1,624 | 42 | 33.1 |
| Kent, Surrey & Sussex | 1,456 | 38 | 31.7 |
| West Midlands | 1,789 | 46 | 30.3 |
| Yorkshire & Humber | 1,645 | 43 | 29.9 |
| Eastern | 1,842 | 48 | 29.2 |
NIHR Clinical Research Network data represents England only. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland operate separate research networks under devolved health governance.
VC investment data sourced from Dealroom UK Life Sciences Report 2025 and BVCA annual statistics. Market capitalisation figures are approximate (May 2026). Active pipeline counts from company investor relations pages and ClinicalTrials.gov. NIHR CRN data from the NIHR CRN Annual Report 2024–25; regional boundaries follow NIHR CRN definitions. Population figures from ONS 2023 mid-year estimates.
Geography & Research Hubs
Mapping the UK's clinical trial infrastructure — from London's dominance to regional centres of excellence.
UK Research Network
Interconnected trial sites across the UK
Top 20 Research Cities
Trial site count by city, coloured by UK nation
Key Insight: London accounts for over 8,200 trial site entries — more than 4× the next largest city (Manchester). Scotland's research is concentrated in Glasgow and Edinburgh, while Wales centres on Cardiff. Belfast represents Northern Ireland's primary research hub.
Methodology & Data Sources
Transparency on how this analysis was conducted, including data sourcing, classification logic, and known limitations.
Data Source
Primary source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — the world's largest clinical trial registry maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Trials were queried using the location filter for "United Kingdom" across 2019-01-01 to 2026-05-01.
Supplementary source: EU Clinical Trials Register (EUCTR) — mandatory registry for EU/EEA interventional trials on medicines. UK data from the EU Trials Tracker (Bennett Institute, University of Oxford).
Last data pull: May 2026
ClinicalTrials.gov: 11,295 trials
EUCTR UK: 10,987 trials (all time)
Estimated combined: ~15,140 unique trials
Classification Logic
UK Nations: Trials are assigned to England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland based on the city/facility location fields. A trial may appear in multiple nations if it has sites in more than one.
Therapeutic Areas: Conditions are mapped to 12 therapeutic categories using keyword matching against standardised medical terminology (MeSH-aligned). A trial may be classified into multiple areas.
COVID-19: Trials are flagged as COVID-related if their conditions or titles contain COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, or coronavirus references.
Known Limitations
- EUCTR overlap with ClinicalTrials.gov is estimated at ~65% based on published research; the true figure may vary by year and therapeutic area.
- EUCTR UK trial counts post-Brexit are modelled estimates based on known registration decline patterns.
- 2026 data is partial (Jan–May) and should not be compared directly to full-year figures.
- Nation assignment relies on city-level geocoding which may miss some smaller towns.
- Enrollment figures are target numbers, not actual participants recruited.
- Multi-site international trials are counted once per UK nation where they have a site.
Key Definitions
- Interventional Trial
- Participants are assigned to receive specific interventions (drugs, devices, procedures).
- Observational Study
- Researchers observe participants without assigning interventions.
- Mega Trial
- A trial with target enrollment exceeding 1,000 participants.
- Completion Rate
- Percentage of trials reaching "Completed" status vs total non-active trials.
- Academic/Other Sponsor
- Universities, NHS trusts, charities, and other non-industry sponsors.