The UK’s pharmaceutical industry and the clinical trials that take place are an economic powerhouse.
The sector contributes approximately £100billion annually to the economy and employs over 300,000 people across 4,000 organisations.
The UK’s pharmaceutical market is among the global top 10 national markets, holding some 2.4 percent of the global pharmaceutical sector.
But the UK’s status as a life sciences superpower is under threat.
AstraZeneca has cancelled plans for a £450m vaccine manufacturing plant in Liverpool, blaming a cut in funding from government.
The investment, announced last year in the Spring Budget, was dependent on a “mutual agreement” with the Treasury and third parties, it was said at the time.
It will now no longer go ahead because ministers are offering less funding, the UK pharmaceutical giant said.
Almost £2bn of planned UK pharma investments have been paused or cancelled this year and the pace of innovation in clinical trials has waned in recent times.
It is a problem the Government recognises and earlier this year reaffirmed its commitment to the sector when it announced the Life Sciences Sector Plan this summer.
Digital and tech innovation sit at the heart of this plan.
Why is innovative tech so important?
As an expert and disruptor in the clinical trials space, I have seen first-hand how small inefficiencies and outdated systems can slow down progress and frustrate patients.
This is crucial because we know strong recruitment is essential for robust clinical trial outcomes, but in the UK recruitment onto trials has declined by 9.2% from 2023 to 2024 and the median waiting time between patient application and the start of a trial has increased from 222 days in 2018 to 271 days in 2021.
In tandem, the patient experience is not always where it should be – almost a third of adults and quarter of children and young people taking part in studies say they weren’t kept up to date, and 15% have reported uncertainty about how to contact someone from the research team if they had any questions.
The challenge and opportunity now for the industry is to embrace innovative new tech solutions which put patients at the centre of trials – from the first interaction to the final data submission.
I know only too well how inherently complex clinical trials are, involving multiple people, systems and data flows. From my experience, success depends as much on the infrastructure as on the science itself.
Too often, trials are still designed around rigid systems that don’t adapt to real-world needs. Embedding innovative, tailored technology from day one can transform this, helping shorten timelines, widen access and improve costs and outcomes, all while always putting patients first.
It’s important to remember the UK has significant talent in the life sciences and pharmaceutical space through British companies like AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline.
Innovative technology that improves patient experience, streamlines logistics and leverages AI responsibly is of paramount importance when it comes to supporting our home-grown pharmaceutical talent.
Research and development and clinical trials have moved at such pace in recent years that tailored and innovative technology is no longer ‘nice-to-have’; it’s a must.
The role of smarter logistics & AI in clinical trials
I know first-hand that the logistics of a clinical trial are just as demanding as the science itself – from scheduling patient visits to managing sample transport, supply chains and data flow. The right technology can streamline these processes, reducing delays, errors and costs.
With real-time tracking, automated scheduling and integrated data systems, everyone, from researchers to regulators, can access up-to-date information. I’ve seen how this kind of transparency and control gives sponsors confidence while freeing up teams to focus on what matters the most: patient care and protocol.
AI is also now an important component in clinical trials: It can help speed up data analysis and tailor real-world data to specific requirements to enhance outcomes.
This can help bring drugs to market quicker and also support improving the lifestyle decisions of patients and play a vital role in preventive healthcare.
What I would stress is that we need to take a cautious approach when it comes to using AI and the role it plays in clinical trials going forward.
However, at this stage, when it comes to streamlining and improving efficiency, the data tells us AI is already helping how trials are designed, approved and managed. This benefit has been observed in the UK this year, with approval times reduced by more than half, from an average of just 41 days from 917.
Why clarity over regulation is needed to put the UK industry a step ahead
Innovation is at the heart of the UK’s ambition to regain its position as a global leader in clinical trials, as outlined in the Government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan announced this summer. To achieve that as an industry, both public and private sector sponsors must look beyond short-term recruitment targets and prioritise how trials are designed and delivered.
We need regulatory clarity on digital endpoints and remote assessments. It gives sponsors confidence to adopt decentralised, data-driven models, benefiting patients through faster, more inclusive studies. If we invest in the right digital infrastructure now, the UK won’t just be keeping pace, it will be leading the next generation of clinical trials.
