UK and Republic of Korea launch new partnership to improve speed and effectiveness of clinical trials

The UK and the Republic of Korea (ROK) have today launched a new partnership, which aims to improve the speed, efficiency and productivity of clinical trials. The ambition is to provide faster, simpler and more equitable access to safe healthcare innovations for patients of both countries. 

Recognising the world-class clinical research and technological expertise of both the UK and ROK, the joint funding from the UK Department of Health and Social Care through the NIHR, and the ROK Ministry of Health and Welfare (MoHW) through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), will foster UK and ROK research collaborations, capacity building and knowledge exchange on smart clinical trials. These are trials that leverage innovative technologies and methodologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and inclusion in clinical research. 

Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR said:

“By pooling our resources and bringing together expertise from the UK and South Korea, we can achieve even greater impact. This partnership represents a significant leap forward in our ability to conduct more efficient, innovative, and patient-centred clinical trials. By collaborating, we can push boundaries in clinical trials, making them more focused on what matters most: patient outcomes.”

Professor Lucy Chappell and Director General of KHIDI Dr Hyunchul Kim together announced the partnership launch today during a Joint Working Group meeting on Health Cooperation between the UK and ROK.

Dr Hyunchul Kim, Director General of KHIDI, said: 

“We are delighted to collaborate with NIHR, Europe’s leading national health and care research funder. This partnership combines Korea’s technological innovation with the UK’s leadership in clinical research, setting a new standard for clinical trials and delivering tangible benefits to patients in both countries.”

Health Minister responsible for Research, Life Sciences and Innovation, Baroness Gillian Merron said:

“This partnership is an exciting step forward and will help ensure the future of healthcare is more predictive, more preventative and more personalised. As part of our 10 Year Health Plan, we will ensure the NHS is at the forefront of the revolution in AI and technology.

“By joining forces with the Republic of Korea, we can bring our world-class researchers together to help us more rapidly develop and roll out cutting-edge treatments for our biggest killers, such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases.”

In total, £2.8m will be available through the partnership between 2025 and 2028. The NIHR and KHIDI will provide equal funding, covering research components in their respective countries. The funding awards will build strong UK-ROK research networks, identifying research priorities that have the most patient benefit in both countries, and undertaking feasibility and pilot studies.

Researchers looking to identify potential collaborators in the UK or ROK are invited to submit an Expression of Interest ahead of the scheme's launch in January 2025.