HCA UK and GenesisCare: Oncology trials and innovation

Independent sector providers are well-placed to contribute to researching cancer and taking part in clinical trials, helping to bring innovation, cutting edge technologies and expertise to those in need.

The Sarah Cannon Research Institute, run by HCA UK, is just one example of the ways in which independent providers can deliver early-phase and complex oncology trials across a wide range of tumour types. It works with international pharmaceutical and biotechnology sponsors to test new cancer treatments that would otherwise only be available overseas. It delivers early-phase trials, including first-in-human studies, supported by SCRI’s global expertise, and is open to both NHS and private patients, with no cost to patients for participation in a clinical trial, widening access to innovative treatments.

Peer-reviewed research published in 2024 analysing outcomes from Phase I colorectal trials carried out at SCRI UK between 2011 and 2022 demonstrated that early trial participation can offer meaningful clinical benefit for patients with treatment-resistant cancers, with survival outcomes comparable to later-line approved therapies.

GenesisCare, another leading private cancer provider, currently runs research / clinical trials in the UK across five centres, growing to seven sites by 2027.

At time of writing, GenesisCare had 30 trials open and being recruited to or delivered, including one of the first theranostics trials in the UK.

However, we’ve also heard that research in the private sector is a challenge, as traditional (NIHR) routes for research are not often supported in the private sector. In order for even more patients to be able to take advantage of the cutting-edge research being delivered, we need to open-up opportunities and democratise research wherever care is provided to patients – public or private. If we don’t do so, national clinical results can be biased. In addition, private patients need to have equitable access to research as NHS patients. It is therefore down to both NIHR to allow private providers to be partners in national clinical trials and to the private providers to build their capabilities in running clinical trials.