On Wednesday 21 October the government published the latest UK Clinical Research Delivery key performance indicators.
The data shows that in the last quarter of 2025/26 (January 2026 to March 2026) the average set-up time for commercial clinical trials in the UK dropped to 100 days, down from 169 in 2024/25 and 122 days in the first half of 2025/26.
The Life Sciences Sector Plan, published in 2025, set a target for 95% of UK clinical trials to be set-up within 150 days by March 2026.
According to the latest data 100% of the 24 commercially sponsored clinical trials set-up between January 2026 and March 2026 were set-up within the 150 days target.
In the first half of 2025/26 73% of studies met this target, up from 45% in 2024/25.
Responding to the news, Matt Westmore, Chief Executive at the Health Research Authority, said:
Matt Westmore, Chief Executive"Today's data shows that our co-ordinated work across the sector as part of the UK Clinical Research Delivery (UKCRD) programme is making a real difference.
"One of the key measurements for the average set-up time for studies in the UK is the performance of Combined Review.
"We've worked closely with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to ensure that our processes are as quick and efficient as possible, without compromising on the rigour or quality.
"In 2025 the median number of days it took for a Research Ethics Committee (UK wide) to give a final outcome as part of Combined Review was 29 days.
"So far in 2026 that's down to 26 days.
“That performance is set against a target of 60 days, with 100% of studies reviewed by RECs in the England meeting that target since the start of 2024.
"Not only is research is being set-up faster than ever, but we're also doing this on a consistent basis so that sponsors worldwide know what they can expect when it comes to choosing the UK as a place to do research.
"Whilst we're proud of the improvements we've made, we should also remind ourselves of what this means in practice.
"Reducing the time it takes to set-up research means that vital research can be carried out sooner, with the results reaching patients quicker. That means new potentially life changing medicines and treatments reach the people who need them faster."
"None of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication of our staff and volunteers, and I'd like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to them."