The Midlands at the heart of ‘life-changing’ COVID-19 research

The Midlands has received nearly £100m so far to carry out world-leading, life changing clinical research to help fight COVID-19. 

 The region moved quickly to bring together its hospitals, universities and businesses to deliver research to support regional, national and global efforts to help tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report. 

 Entitled, ‘Mobilising Research Excellence in the Midlands to Tackle COVID-19’, the document was brought together by the Midlands Innovation Health, Midlands Health Alliance and Medilink Midlands. 

 According to the report, there are currently 81 new COVID-19 research programmes taking place in the area and the Midlands is leading the way in studying world-leading genome sequencing which is identifying the different strains of the condition recently found in the UK and internationally. 

 More than 50,000 people in the region have been recruited to take part in COVID-19 research trials. One of the key early findings was a result of research carried out in the region, which identified the increased risks the Black and Minority Ethnic(BAME) population face should they become infected. 

 Professor Ian Hall, Director of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre and Co-Chair of the Midlands Health Alliance, said:“Nationally, the major part played by Midlands’ centres, particularly in recruitment to clinical trials, has been important. Without recruitment to these trials we would not have identified the drugs which we now know can be used in the treatment of hospitalised patients with COVID-19.

“The Midlands is also playing a significant role in the vaccine studies. There have also been major contributions from individuals based in the Midlands to national planning for COVID-19, including important contributions to the Department of Health and Social Care, UK COVID-19 Therapeutics Advisory Panel, NIHR and SAGE. It is really encouraging to see the close working across the region and beyond which has happened, and I am delighted that MHA has been able to play a role in supporting this.”

 Sir John Peace, Chairman of the Midlands Engine, which has recently launched Midlands Engine Health – a vehicle to amplify on the national stage the world-leading health research in the Midlands region-  said: “The Midlands is delivering world-leading, life changing clinical research in response to COVID-19. Working together across the region, the NHS, universities and industry are meeting the challenge, driving lifesaving treatments for COVID-19 and improving outcomes.”

 To read the report, click here.