Scotland has launched four Commercial Research Delivery Centres (CRDCs), forming part of a network of 35 such centres across the UK. These centres are funded through the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG) Investment Programme.
The CRDCs aim to fast-track clinical trials, enhance patient access to innovative therapies, and stimulate economic growth. There has been an increase in commercial studies delivered in Scotland, with patient participation rising by 21% compared to the previous year. Scottish sites have also achieved five European and one global first for patient recruitment.
Efforts are underway to implement a hub-and-spoke model, allowing CRDCs to extend their reach through smaller sites, including GP practices via Practice Embedded Research Units (PERUs), and into patients' homes through the Scottish Decentralised Clinical Trials (SCOT-DCT) initiative. These approaches are designed to improve research access for rural and underserved communities.
Collaboration between the NHS, academia, and industry is highlighted as crucial. For example, the Scotland Renal AstraZeneca (SRAZ) Programme, launched in 2024, aims to accelerate clinical research and develop targeted medicines for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Since its launch, recruitment to renal trials in Scotland has tripled.