Dive Brief:
- The UK's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) will invest £112.5 million ($160 million) between 2017 and 2022 into clinical research infrastructure. The funding will be aimed toward early stage research.
- Current funding from NIHR runs out in March 2017, and is divided between 19 existing facilities.
- The UK hopes to lure early stage research projects to the country by improving research facilities.
Dive Insight:
UK Prime Minister David Cameron's conservative party has pledged more funding for the National Health Service, attempting to build connections between NHS and the private biopharma sector. Funding early stage clinical research infrastructure is part of that overall mission.
The renewed funding of £112.5 million is an increase over the previous investment of £102 million. However, as FierceBiotech notes, the per month funding is roughly the same as the timeframes differ.
The current arrangement funds 19 clinical research facilities, providing monies for recurring infrastructure costs. Facilities will be selected for the new funding by a competitive process opening in February. Any NHS organization with an existing clinical research facility can apply for contracts.