Investing in commercial research delivery

The Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicine Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG) is an agreement between the four UK nations and the pharmaceutical industry. 

It will provide significant investment (£400million) into the UK’s health and life sciences sector during 2024-2029, including £300million towards expanding the UK’s capacity and capability to support commercial clinical trial delivery.  

Wales Commercial Research Delivery Investment Programme 

Investment will bolster the NHS’s capacity to delivery commercial clinical research by: 

  1. Expanding on and enhancing existing dedicated commercial clinical research infrastructure – establishing a UK network of Commercial Research Delivery Centres (CRDCs), including Wales CRDC.
  2. Deliver flexible funding to pump prime clinical trial resources by increasing workforce capacity and infrastructure relevant to the delivery of commercial clinical research 

Wales will receive £22.1 million between 2024-2029.  

In April 2025, we established the Wales CRDC, recognising where we have the highest track record in commercial trial delivery to be part of the UK Network, and where there is potential to rapidly expand that offer through increased investment. Our offer will expand as other teams develop that expertise, but initially includes:  

  • North Wales Clinical Research Facility (located in Wrexham)
  • Cystic Fibrosis and Respiratory research (located in Cardiff)
  • Nephrology and Transplant (located in Cardiff)
  • Children and Young Adults Research Unit (located in Cardiff)
  • Velindre Cancer Centre (located in Cardiff) 

In addition, we are investing in other teams/units across Wales with high potential to expand their capacity and capability: 

  • Advanced therapies (All-Wales service based in Cardiff)
  • A new Primary Care and Community Research Delivery Centre (Wales-wide)
  • Neurology (Cardiff)
  • Ears, Nose and Throat (Cardiff)
  • Respiratory (Hywel Dda)
  • Additional capability in cancer (in Swansea)
  • All Wales Medical Genomics Service (based in Cardiff)
  • Rare Diseases (Cardiff)
  • Pharmacy, imaging, pathology services  

Overview of the Wales investment programme.

Apply for funding as part of the investment programme: