New UK Clinical Trials Regulation | QbD Group Regulatory Update

These changes aim to enhance patient safety, expedite approvals, foster innovation, and make it easier for more people to participate in vital research.

Key Changes and Impact

• Patient-Centric Approach: The new regulations prioritize patient safety and participation, ensuring broader access to clinical trials.
• Streamlined Approvals: The approval process will be simplified, reducing the time from application to the first participant from 250 to 150 days. This will accelerate research and bring treatments to patients faster.
• Proportionate Regulation: Lower-risk trials will face reduced bureaucracy, making the regulatory environment more flexible and efficient.
• Combined Review System: Researchers can now apply for ethics and regulatory approval simultaneously, streamlining the application process.

Implementation Timeline

The new regulations were first laid in Parliament in December 2024. A 12-month implementation period has begun since 11^th April 2025. The MHRA and HRA will provide updated guidance and support throughout this period. From 10^th April 2026, the amended regulations will come fully into force.

For UK clinical trial applicants, it is crucial to grasp the new regulations. The implementation of the new UK clinical trials regulation represents a significant step forward in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of clinical research. By prioritizing patient safety, streamlining approvals, and creating a more flexible regulatory environment, these changes will support the development of new treatments.

As regulatory affairs professionals, QbD RA team will continue to monitor updates. We are happy to provide guidance and help during the process of this transition. Stay tuned for more information as we navigate these changes together.