Unlocking Wales’ potential: What the investment programme means for commercial research delivery

Leaders from across Wales’s commercial research infrastructure came together at the tenth annual Health and Care Research Wales conference to explore how new investment is unlocking the country’s potential to deliver more world leading research.

During a dedicated panel session, experts discussed the opportunities created by the recent funding boost through the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicine Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG), a landmark agreement between the four UK nations and the pharmaceutical industry.

The programme will inject £400 million into the UK’s health and life sciences sector between 2024 and 2029 including £300million towards expanding the UK’s capacity and capability to support commercial clinical trial delivery.   

Wales is set to receive £22.1 million, aimed at strengthening the NHS’s capacity and capability to deliver commercial clinical research. This funding will support the expansion of existing infrastructure and will deliver flexible funding to pump prime clinical trial resources by increasing workforce capacity and infrastructure.

A united vision for Wales

Chaired by Dr Joanna Jenkinson MBE, Director of Research and Development Policy at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), the session brought together leading voices from across the research ecosystem to discuss Wales’s strategic approach.

A central theme was the One Wales approach, a nationally integrated research delivery model that offers a single cost, contract and point of contact for industry partners. This streamlined model was championed by speakers including Professor Richard Adams, Clinical Lead for Tackling Cancer through research programme, he said: “We are competitive across the world, Europe and the UK. Wales needs to stand together as one.”

Dr Kieran Foley, Specialty Lead for Imaging echoed the importance of collaboration, he said: “Working in silos just doesn’t work. We have to work across Wales, across the NHS, industry, and academia.”

Through a competitive process, money has been allocated to dedicated research facilities, recognising where Wales has the highest track record in commercial trial delivery and where there is potential to rapidly expand that offer and attract more studies into Wales. 

Making research more accessible and inclusive

The panel highlighted how VPAG funding is helping to make research more accessible, particularly in primary care and community settings and expanded existing research.

Dr David Foxwell, National Co-lead for Primary Care and Community Research, said: “Traditionally, research has been held in secondary care. VPAG funding has allowed us to think about how we can improve accessibility to research in primary care.”

Rhian Thomas Turner, Head of Paediatric Research Operations and Strategy, also on the panel added: “This investment came at the right time for us. We were at capacity, and I’m excited for the opportunities this investment will bring.”

Dr Nicola Williams, National Director of Support and Delivery, reinforced this vision. She said: “I’m passionate about making it as easy as possible to take part in research, and I believe this funding will help us accelerate this. 

Looking to the future, Nicky continued: “Sustainability beyond the investment is also important, Wales is already putting plans in place to ensure we grow the capacity and capability of research delivery beyond this investment supporting long-term planning and demonstrating a real return on investment.”

To learn more about the investment in commercial research delivery, visit Investing in commercial research delivery | Health Care Research Wales