Industry
The Cambridge Clinical Research Centre, which includes the NIHR Cambridge CRF, runs experimental medicine studies and clinical trials with a wide range of commercial collaborators, from small biotechs and SMEs to large international pharmaceutical companies.
The Cambridge Biomedical Campus provides the ideal environment for experimental medicine research, including opportunities to connect and collaborate with globally recognised clinical researchers and clinicians based at the University of Cambridge, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge University Health Partners and Royal Papworth Hospital to support with trial design, regulatory approvals and clinical strategy.
Our very experienced team delivers high-quality trials in excellent facilities, including:
• Administration of trial drugs and immunotherapies, including first-in-human trials
• Vaccine clinical trials and challenge studies
• Trials of medical devices
• All aspects of body composition measurement
• Participant recruitment support, from healthy volunteers to patients with rare diseases.
For more information about how we can support your research please contact us.
Campus Infrastructure
The Office for Translational Research (OTR) helps turn Cambridge blue skies research into new health applications. The OTR provides support in 4 major areas.
- Partnering
- Project Advice (Bench to Bedside)
- Big Initiatives
- Training and Events
The OTR receives core-funding from the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre and the University of Cambridge’s HEFCE Higher Education Innovation funding (HEIF).
The Cambridge Clinical Trials Unit (CCTU) was established in 2011 and is hosted at the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as part of the Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre.
The CCTU works with researchers from Cambridge University Health Partners (CUHP) to conduct the highest quality clinical research, addressing important questions related to human health and disease. Major areas within our portfolio include: oncology, cardiovascular disease, infection and immunity, paediatrics, neurology, neurosciences and trauma, imaging, surgery and peri-operative care.
We strive to deliver world class clinical trials ranging from national to international, single to multi-centre, CTIMPS, non-CTIMPs and medical device trials. The CCTU supports all trial stages, from study design, costing grant proposals, developing protocols, obtaining necessary approvals, delivery and quality control, to data management, final analysis and dissemination.
The CCTU is part of the NIHR UKCRC Registered CTU Network, and receives NIHR CTU Support Funding to develop and conduct NIHR trials. The CCTU is also a member of the NCRI Cancer CTU. We are a founding member of the International Clinical Trials Centre Network, which aims to improve clinical research by fostering collaborations worldwide
The Clinical Trials Pharmacy is a dedicated group of pharmacists, technicians and support officers who manage pharmacy’s ongoing commitment, support and development of clinical trials.
Pharmacy is an integral part of the research process and has a vital role in relation to clinical research, which is to safeguard participants, healthcare professionals and the Trust, by ensuring Investigational Medicinal Products (IMP’s) are appropriate for use and are procured, handled, stored and used safely and correctly. The pharmacy supports all types of studies: commercial and non-commercial, CLRN portfolio and non-portfolio, CTIMP (Clinical trial of an Investigational Medicinal Product) and non-CTIMPs.
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) is one of the largest and best known hospitals in the country, delivering high-quality patient care through Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie Hospitals. CUH is a leading national centre for specialist treatment for rare or complex conditions and a university teaching hospital with a worldwide reputation.
CUH is a key partner in Cambridge University Health Partners (CUHP), one of only six academic health science centres in the UK, and is at the heart of the development of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC), which brings together on one site world-class biomedical research, patient care and education. As part of the Campus development, Papworth Hospital is creating a bespoke, purpose-built hospital, and AstraZeneca is building a new global R&D centre and corporate headquarters. The Campus is one of the government’s 20 National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) comprehensive biomedical research centres.
The Trust already works closely with a number of research partners across the Campus, for example, the Medical Research Council (MRC), Cancer Research UK (CRUK), the University of Cambridge and The Wellcome Trust, to develop new drugs and new therapies to improve treatment and patient care.
The mission of the University of Cambridge is to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning and research at the highest international levels of excellence. To date, 96 affiliates of the University have won the Nobel Prize.
Founded in 1209, the University comprises 31 autonomous Colleges, which admit undergraduates and provide small-group tuition, and 150 departments, faculties and institutions.
Cambridge is a global university. Its 19,000 student body includes 3,700 international students from 120 countries. Cambridge researchers collaborate with colleagues worldwide, and the University has established larger-scale partnerships in Asia, Africa and America.
The University sits at the heart of one of the world’s largest technology clusters. The ‘Cambridge Phenomenon’ has created 1,500 hi-tech companies, 14 of them valued at over US$1 billion and two at over US$10 billion. Cambridge promotes the interface between academia and business, and has a global reputation for innovation.
The Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre unites more than 600 laboratory researchers and healthcare professionals in more than 24 University Departments, nine world-leading research institutions, two NHS Foundation Trusts (Cambridge University Hospitals and Royal Papworth Hospital) and four major pharmaceutical companies sited across the wider Cambridge area
Our mission is to end death and disease caused by cancer, through research, treatment and education. As one of just two Cancer Research UK Major Centres, we serve as a national and international resource for patients with cancer and their families; researchers and health care providers; and cancer professionals in training.
The Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre facilitates new collaborations and drives the translation of new scientific discoveries into clinical applications to improve patient care. By working together across a range of different disciplines, our members are breaking down the barriers between the laboratory and the clinic, enabling patients to benefit from the latest innovations in cancer science.
Industry on Campus
We are a global, science-led biopharmaceutical business, headquartered on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, and our innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Our major focus is to develop medicines for Oncology, Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmunity, and Cardiovascular and Metabolic diseases, with an opportunity-driven approach to Infection, Neuroscience and Gastrointestinal diseases.
We use novel science and innovation in biologics, small molecules, immunotherapies, protein engineering and devices, to provide candidate medicines for our late-stage development unit.
By co-locating our R&D next to world leading bioscience clusters in Cambridge, UK; Gaithersburg, Maryland, US; and Gothenburg, Sweden, we can collaborate with leading scientists and research organisations.
We have extensive research collaborations with our neighbours on the Campus including with the hospital and University departments and partner institutions. More information on our website
The Clinical Unit Cambridge is GSK’s own Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology unit in the dynamic and interactive environment of Cambridge based at the heart of Cambridge Biomedical Campus in Addenbrookes Hospital (Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust).
Our mission is to end death and disease caused by cancer, through research, treatment and education. As one of just two Cancer Research UK Major Centres, we serve as a national and international resource for patients with cancer and their families; researchers and health care providers; and cancer professionals in training.
The Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre facilitates new collaborations and drives the translation of new scientific discoveries into clinical applications to improve patient care. By working together across a range of different disciplines, our members are breaking down the barriers between the laboratory and the clinic, enabling patients to benefit from the latest innovations in cancer science.

Take part; change lives
Whether you’re a patient, a prospective volunteer or a researcher, we’re always keen to hear from you. So please don’t hesitate to talk to us.