Strengthening UK leadership in early-phase oncology research

A new analysis published in the British Journal of Cancer has charted the trajectory of oncology clinical trials in the UK from 2000 to 2025. It benchmarks the UK's performance internationally and assesses what the new UK Clinical Trials Regulation (UK CTR), effective from April 2026, could mean for the country's competitiveness in early-phase cancer research.

The analysis, "Oncology drug development in the UK: analysis of the past 25 years and focus on the 2026 reboot of the clinical trial regulatory framework", was led by Fortrea and co-authored by a wide group of UK oncology and drug development specialists, including Professor Fiona Thistlethwaite from our experimental cancer medicine centres (ECMC) network.

It tracks UK trial activity through periods of growth, the Brexit-era slowdown, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the partial recovery seen since 2023. The authors find that the incoming regulatory reforms offer a genuine opportunity to rebuild the UK's position, particularly for early-phase studies.

We spoke to Fiona about what the findings mean for the ECMC network and for the future of early-phase oncology trials in the UK.

The new UK Clinical Trials Regulation is designed to streamline processes and strengthen the UK's position as a destination for clinical research. What opportunities do you think these changes create for early-phase cancer research, and how well placed is the ECMC network to help realise them?

I see the new UK Clinical Trials Regulation as a major opportunity for early-phase cancer research.

By simplifying and modernising trial processes, it has the potential to reduce unnecessary delays and, alongside other initiatives such as '150 day target', makes the UK an even more attractive destination for innovative oncology studies.

I believe the ECMC network is exceptionally well placed to help realise these benefits because it already brings together experienced research teams and strong academic and industry partnerships from across the UK.

If we can combine these strengths with a more agile regulatory environment then we have a real opportunity to accelerate the development of new cancer treatments.

The UK already benefits from world class research infrastructure, scientific expertise and NHS access. What unique contribution does the ECMC network make in helping the UK attract and deliver innovative early-phase oncology trials?

The ECMC network provides something that is difficult to replicate in other healthcare systems: a coordinated and collaborative national platform dedicated to delivering complex early-phase oncology trials. Beyond excellent facilities and scientific expertise, our centres offer significant clinical experience in key areas such as first-in-human studies, biomarker-driven research and translational science.

Crucially, the network facilitates extensive collaboration across centres, allowing studies to access both diverse and rare patient populations while maintaining high-quality delivery and shared learning. This combination is a significant strength for the UK.

As global competition for oncology studies increases, what would you say to a pharmaceutical or biotechnology company considering the UK for its next early-phase trial, and how do the strengths of the ECMC network ultimately benefit patients through earlier access to innovative treatments?

When speaking to pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners, I emphasise the combination of clinical and scientific excellence available within highly integrated and experienced research centres in the UK. The ECMC network represents an important opportunity to access this through a unique collaborative national infrastructure designed specifically for delivery of early-phase cancer trials.

For patients it translates to earlier opportunities to participate in innovative trials and gain access to promising new therapies, while also contributing to the generation of evidence that can improve cancer care for future patients.

The Fortrea analysis suggests the UK has an opportunity to strengthen its leadership in early-phase oncology research. Looking ahead five years, what role would you like the ECMC network to play in helping shape the future of cancer drug development in the UK?

Over the next five years, I would like to see the network further strengthen its position as the UK's platform for early-phase oncology trials by continuing to drive collaboration between partners from the NHS, academia, charities, regulators and industry.

This will support enhanced capabilities in rapidly moving areas such as advanced therapies and ensure patients from across the UK have equitable access to cutting-edge research. If we achieve this, I truly believe the ECMC network will play a central role in helping the UK to retain, grow and sustain its position as a global leader in cancer drug development.