Nexxus Scotland

Glasgow Biomedicine

Glasgow Biomedicine is a groundbreaking initiative between NHS Greater Glasgow and the University of Glasgow aiming to develop and promote the city as an international centre of medical excellence.

The project is set to boost research and oversee clinical trials in Glasgow, creating a one-stop-shop for clinical expertise in the city.

The initiative is set to harness the expertise which already exists in Glasgow into key conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer, co-ordinating research into these diseases, and speeding up delivery of new treatments.

Glasgow Biomedicine was formally launched by Scottish Minister for Health and Community Care Andy Kerr in April 2005. The project was established with the aim of bringing together all the different agencies involved in clinical research together in order to collectively promote Glasgow as a worldwide centre of excellence for drug development and clinical exploration expertise.

Glasgow already hosts hundreds of clinical trials into new drugs, procedures or devices every year and the Glasgow Biomedicine project is aiming to grow this further. Should it be successful in its ambitions, the project will help give the people of Glasgow early access to revolutionary treatments, as well as attract large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to the city, creating a considerable number of highly-skilled new jobs.

Over the next 10 years, Glasgow Biomedicine is aiming to grow the number of clinical trials taking place in the city by around 15% per annum, placing Glasgow at the very centre of clinical research around the world.

Commercial and non-commercial trials are essential for medical practice to be taken forward and for new drugs to be developed. Volunteers who take part in clinical trials are set to benefit directly, both from their increased participation in research projects and, more generally, from the enhanced clinical expertise that will be gained through such work.

Dr Allan Gaw, Director of the Clinical Trials Unit at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, says: "For many years, Glasgow has been a major player in clinical research - but the parties involved, such as the universities and the NHS Trust, have been working independently."

"We felt it made sense to formalise the relationships between these organisations, creating a better infrastructure for supporting clinical research in the city."

"The health issues associated with Glasgow and the West of Scotland - particularly with regards to heart disease, cancer and diabetes - are well known, and as a result, the city has accumulated a great deal of expertise into these conditions."

"Some of this knowledge has already changed medical practice around the world; Take for example, Professor Jim Shepherd's groundbreaking work in atherosclerosis. The West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study (WOSCOPS) which Professor Shepherd headed up, remains the world standard in its field. It is part of the purpose of Glasgow Biomedicine to market this expertise to the world."

"We want to build on existing, strong platforms to promote Glasgow as the first choice for those conducting clinical trials." 

As well as cardiovascular research, past and existing clinical trials in Glasgow have tended to focus on conditions such as diabetes, cancer, infectious diseases and neurological problems. However, Glasgow Biomedicine is seeking to attract clinical trials from across the medical spectrum.

A major advantage in this is the attitude of the Scottish population to the whole notion of clinical trials.  Glasgow especially is a fertile area for people willing to participate in clinical trials, and thanks to long experience, best practice ensures that participants are informed about the potential benefits of the treatments under trial, as well as the potential risks. This good reputation in turn builds confidence among potential candidates.

Dr Gaw says: "The size of the clinical trials varies considerably; in the early stages, the trials tend to be quite small. Once the initial testing has been done, though, the trials can feature thousands and even tens of thousands of people."

"Having such a large catchment area as Glasgow, we have access to a large  well documented patient population* to support research into a wide range of conditions. This resource is invaluable."

"Our research facilities are also well-networked and our various universities, teaching hospitals and research institutions are committed to working together and to sharing information through many multi-centre trials." 

An excellent example of this is to be found in the collaboration of the Beatson Oncology Centre in Glasgow and ISD in Edinburgh, who have recently been jointly awarded NCRI accreditation to co-ordinate clinical trials - one of only three licences awarded across the UK.

It is this mixture of research excellence, and the willingness of a wide range of institutions, scientists - and the Scottish population at large, to work together to advance knowledge of the life sciences which makes the West of Scotland such an exciting hub of expertise and activity. 

At the moment, Glasgow Biomedicine is based at the Clinical Trials Unit at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. However, there are plans to house the project closer to the University of Glasgow and the respected Western Infirmary in Glasgow.

* The population of Greater Glasgow is 2.2m, which represents roughly 40% of the total Scottish population. 

To download a PDF version of this case study click here Glasgow Biomedicine

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