Written question asked by Lord Willis of Knaresborough (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Earl Howe (Conservative) on Tuesday, 1 May 2012.

Health: Drugs

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what funding mechanisms are available to support phase three clinical trials using new technologies to deliver chemotherapy in more effective ways.

Answer: The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funds research infrastructure to support the translation of laboratory-based discoveries into new cancer treatments, including the use of innovative drug delivery systems. This infrastructure includes biomedical research centres and experimental cancer medicine centres. The NIHR Cancer Research Network hosts phase three clinical trials and other well designed studies. This includes pivotal licensing studies undertaken for industry on a transparent full-cost recovery basis. The NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme has a funding stream for HTA clinical trials and evaluation studies proposed directly by researchers in cancer and other therapeutic areas. The Health Innovation Challenge Fund (HICF) is a joint funding partnership between the Department of Health and the Wellcome Trust. It is positioned as a translational funding scheme to accelerate the clinical application of projects that are well advanced along the development pathway. Drug delivery systems are not a current priority. Suggestions from clinicians, academics and industry for future theme topics can be sent to the joint secretariat. Details about HICF theme selection are available on the HICF website at: www.hicfund.org.uk/HICFundprogramme/HowItWorks.aspx

Secondary information