Panthera Biopartners, the UK's largest Site Management Organisation (SMO), has secured two significant clinical trial contracts worth over £10 million each with international pharmaceutical companies. These contracts involve patient recruitment and trial management across Panthera's network of dedicated research sites throughout the UK, continuing the company's record-breaking performance in 2024.
Founded just five years ago in 2019, Panthera has rapidly established an effective model for clinical trial management that delivers exceptional results for pharmaceutical companies and Contract Research Organisations (CROs). Over the past two years, the company has achieved remarkable milestones, including becoming the top global recruiter in four studies, the leading UK recruiter in six additional studies, and achieving first patient enrollment globally or in the UK across nine different studies.
Strategic Industry Partnerships
Panthera has built impressive industry connections, currently working with 10 of the top 12 pharmaceutical companies and seven of the leading CROs. In a significant development for 2024, Panthera became the first UK public or commercial clinical trial organisation to join Parexel's Site Alliance Vaccine Network, further cementing its position in the clinical research landscape.
Stuart Young, CEO of Panthera, commented on the company's growth: "These substantial contracts reflect the pharmaceutical industry's confidence in our ability to deliver high-quality clinical research efficiently. Our model focuses on rapid patient recruitment and retention, which are critical factors in successful trial completion."
UK SMO Sector Growth Amid NHS Decline
The success of Panthera comes against a backdrop of declining NHS-registered clinical trial enrollments. However, independent SMOs like Panthera are experiencing rapid growth, with more than 50 dedicated trial sites now operating across the UK. This expanding sector provides crucial services to pharmaceutical companies seeking efficient clinical trial management.
Notably, the contributions of SMOs are not currently included in Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) or NHS statistics, suggesting that the actual clinical research activity in the UK may be significantly underreported. This highlights the untapped potential of these organisations in driving clinical trial success and maintaining the UK's competitive position in global research.
UK's Competitive Advantage in Clinical Research
The UK continues to be a prime destination for clinical trials due to several key advantages. Its dense and diverse population provides access to varied patient demographics, while its high-calibre healthcare professionals ensure quality research execution. Recent regulatory advancements by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have further enhanced the UK's appeal.
These regulatory improvements have streamlined review processes, strengthening the UK's competitive position against European countries while offering cost advantages compared to conducting similar research in the United States.
Expanding Research Capabilities
Panthera's network of dedicated clinical trial sites spans multiple locations across the UK, including Glasgow, York, Sheffield, Preston, Rochdale, and Enfield. The company conducts trials across a broad spectrum of therapeutic areas, including:
- Vaccines
- Cardiovascular conditions
- General medicine
- Diabetes
- Neurology
- Respiratory conditions
- Dermatology
- Rheumatology
Additionally, Panthera has developed expertise in specialized research areas such as oncology, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and early dementia trials, demonstrating the company's versatility and comprehensive research capabilities.
Dr. Ian Smith, Medical Director at Panthera, explained: "Our ability to conduct trials across diverse therapeutic areas allows us to support pharmaceutical companies with various research needs. Our specialized expertise in complex areas like oncology and neurodegenerative conditions positions us as a valuable partner for advanced clinical research."
The continued expansion of Panthera and similar SMOs represents a significant development in the UK's clinical research infrastructure, potentially offsetting concerns about declining trial activity in traditional NHS settings and maintaining the country's position as a global leader in pharmaceutical research and development.
