Official seal of approval for University of Central Lancashire’s Clinical Trials Unit

By Rob Kelly

16 Oct 2024

Chris Sutton

The University of Central Lancashire’s clinical trials unit has been awarded full registration status after almost five successful years working under a provisional standing.

This recognition for the Lancashire Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) makes it only the second in the North West Coast region to hold this fully registered status, which is awarded by the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC).

 It joins a group of 49 units nationally, which are recognised as having the experience and facilities to design and co-ordinate robust clinical studies into improving health and care for patients.

The unit, based at the University’s Preston Campus, is the only fully-registered CTU in Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Since being awarded provisional status in January 2020, it has been involved with a number of key trials, most notably the STIMULATE-ICP Study, a large, long-Covid trial which has successfully completed the recruitment of 1,145 participants. 

 The study portfolio also includes, amongst others, the COMMITS (Confirming the Mechanism of Motivational Interviewing Therapy after Stroke) trial, which is testing ways to support adjustment to life after stroke and is in the recruitment phase, and the MANTRA trial, which is just starting and will determine the dose and duration of antibiotics needed after surgery for a broken jaw.

The Lancashire CTU Director Professor Dame Caroline Watkins said: “We are delighted and proud to be the first fully-registered CTU in Lancashire and South Cumbria. This recognition is testament to the progress the CTU has made over the last few years and means that more vital health and social care research can be conducted in the region, which will benefit the community both socially and economically.”

 Adding further strength to the Lancashire CTU, the Unit will welcome back Chris Sutton as Professor of Clinical Trials in January 2025.

Chris worked at the University of Central Lancashire for almost 30 years before moving to the University of Manchester in 2018 to become a senior lecturer in Clinical Trial Statistics in the Centre for Biostatistics (his current role), and deputy director (Methodology) and Lead Statistician for Manchester CTU until its closure in 2023.

He brings with him a wealth of experience as he returns to the University.

He said: “I’m delighted to be returning to the University of Central Lancashire, and Lancashire CTU in particular. 

"Following the award of full registration by UKCRC, I’m really looking forward to working with Professor Watkins and the rest of the team to enhance and broaden the CTU’s strengths. 

“My recent experience and ongoing collaborations in mental health trials will develop its portfolio in this key area of healthcare.  Likewise, my methodological collaborations in trial conduct research, including the development and evaluation of interventions to improve the inclusivity of under-represented groups, links perfectly with the CTU’s burgeoning research in this area.”

 The UKCRC Network is working to establish the UK as a world leader in clinical research and provides a forum for partners across the county to work together to transform the clinical research environment.

The UKCRC brings together the NHS, research funders, industry, regulatory bodies, Royal Colleges, patient groups and academics, in a UK-wide environment that facilitates and promotes high quality clinical research for the benefit of patients.

More information about the Lancashire CTU and how to work with the Unit is available on the University’s website - https://www.uclan.ac.uk/research/institutes/life/lancashire-clinical-trials-unit

Enjoyed this? Read more from Rob Kelly

Latest news

1

Lancashire business claims bronze in national awards Eight at Gazegill team

Lancashire business claims bronze in national awards

05 Jun 2025

2

Blackburn-based business acquired by printing and packaging giant David Cooper

Blackburn-based business acquired by printing and packaging giant

05 Jun 2025

3

Reform plans major County Hall finance review Lancashire County Council County Hall

Reform plans major County Hall finance review

05 Jun 2025

4

Napthens increases ranking as UK legal advisors on mergers and acquisitions Keith Melling

Napthens increases ranking as UK legal advisors on mergers and acquisitions

05 Jun 2025

5

New plans revealed to complete transformational housing regeneration scheme in Blackburn New homes plan in the Griffin area of Blackburn

New plans revealed to complete transformational housing regeneration scheme in Blackburn

04 Jun 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Sub36 Networking
Sub36 Social1200pxandi Lewis
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

Mytton Fold Hotel , Blackburn , BB6 8AB

09:30 - 11:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College Industry Hub, Burnley, BB120AN

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Rossendale means business Expo
Rossendale Means Business Logo 3.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
10 Jun 2025 - 10 Jun 2025

Rossendale means business Expo

Futures Park, Bacup, OL13 0BB

10:00 - 15:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
12 Jun 2025 - 12 Jun 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
12 Jun 2025 - 12 Jun 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Midnight Oil: The Entrepreneur’s Journey: Scaling Strategies with Brad Waldron
BU-June-Event-BRAD-1.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
18 Jun 2025 - 18 Jun 2025

Midnight Oil: The Entrepreneur’s Journey: Scaling Strategies with Brad Waldron

Blackpool Football Club, Bloomfield Rd, Seasiders Way, Blackpool, FY1 6JJ

08:30 - 11:30

Chamber Business Lunch – June
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
20 Jun 2025 - 20 Jun 2025

Chamber Business Lunch – June

Lancaster House Hotel, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4GL

11:00 - 13:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin