The UK has announced new clinical trial regulatory reforms to boost its appeal as a leading destination for medical research.
The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) reported a 9% increase in clinical trial applications between January and November 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with notable growth in early-stage and innovative studies.
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Early phase research saw the strongest gains, with trials involving healthy volunteers rising by 16%, first-in-human studies up by 5%, and initial UK-based trials increasing by 7%. The MHRA also experienced a 75% surge in scientific advice meetings as companies sought earlier guidance to optimise trial design and minimise delays.
These increases occurred under the current framework, but significant regulatory changes are set for April. The new rules will introduce a fast-track notification route for around one in five studies, enabling quicker start times for lower-risk trials while maintaining safety standards.
The MHRA will also implement a 14-day assessment process for phase I trials, aimed at expediting early testing of new medicines.
Further updates include streamlined methods for assessing overseas safety data that meet UK requirements and enhanced capabilities to evaluate computer model simulations, such as in-silico trials. These changes reflect ongoing advances in medicine development while upholding robust safety measures.
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By GlobalDataPatient involvement in research has also grown, with more than 450,000 people participating in studies across England last year. The reforms are intended to support the government’s goal of reducing the time from application to first participant to 150 days, complementing broader plans to modernise health research through the 10-Year Health Plan for England.
The British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology reported in October 2025 that 99% of MHRA clinical trial applications are reviewed on time, offering sponsors greater certainty for UK-based research planning.
UK Health Department Innovation Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed said: “As a practising surgeon, I know just how crucial it is to harness medical breakthroughs, so patients get the latest and most advanced treatments quickly and safely. This government is laser-focused on accelerating clinical trial set-up times and cementing our position as global leaders.
“These improvements mean we are making it even easier for companies to bring clinical trials to the UK, offering a single point of support, faster processes, and a more predictable pathway to launch studies.”
In November 2025, Cancer Research UK initiated a trial of a vaccine intended to prevent lung cancer in patients at high risk.
