Commercial research

Our Trust is renowned for its research, innovation and links to universities and provides integrated health and care services across Exeter, East, Northern and Mid Devon with a workforce of over 15, 000 staff. We are a research active organisation and provide core acute and community services to more than 615,000 people while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We have over 40 principal investigators and averagely support at least 70 commercial trials. Our PIs are supported by highly experienced Trust Research Doctors and General Practitioners as well as highly skilled registered nurses, midwives, assistant practitioners and data managers. Dedicated professional services staff in our R&D office support swift trial set-up within the National Contract Value Review (NCVR) process.

As well as supporting early phase trials in our NIHR Clinical Research Facility, the Trust hosts one of five NIHR Patient Recruitment Centres (PRC) with the hub site based on our Wonford site. The PRC is dedicated to setting up and delivering late phase commercial clinical trials in the NHS at pace and scale. Working collaboratively with the other four centres our centre makes it easier and quicker to deliver commercial research in the UK.  

By attracting more commercial research to the UK, we increase opportunities for NHS patients to access cutting edge treatment and therapies that are not yet widely available through the NHS. We work across the region, through our partners and stakeholders, to ensure as many people as possible are given an opportunity to take part.

Additionally we have a Joint Research Office with  the University of Exeter, and work closely with the NIHR Exeter Clinical Research Facility. This enables us to work with life sciences partners across all phases of their product development. Our academic investigators work across the NHS and Higher Education Institutions, and work with life science industry collaborators in the innovation of healthcare for the benefit of our population and beyond.

To find out more, visit the NIHR PRC: Exeter website here.

For information on how to open a commercial research trial at the Trust, please contact Rebecca Harper, Commercial Research Manager on r.harper4@nhs.net.