Global CRO Covance and the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust have entered into a five-year exclusive agreement to work together in conducting early clinical trials at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital on behalf of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

The alliance provides an opportunity to build innovative solutions for high-quality early clinical research in a safe and regulated environment, at a time when more sponsors are looking to develop studies that call for the recruitment of healthy volunteers and patients.

The agreement between the Trust and Covance will focus on early-phase trials using the clinical research unit at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

“This is an extremely exciting collaboration with Covance and represents an industry-leading relationship in the world of clinical research,” said professor Robert Sutton, director of R&D at the Trust. “We have a successful track record in the field of experimental medicine and are unique in the U.K. in our investment in clinical pharmacology, along with our position in the local health and life science industry. We have the ability to work with new technologies to enhance the effectiveness and safety of new medicines for our patients.”

As part of its 2017 expansion plans, the Trust will look to expand the clinical research unit at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and further maximize early patient benefits from research at its facility. This expansion will help establish the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and the region as a major biosciences hub. By increasing focus on early clinical research, the Trust will give patients the opportunity to participate in early clinical research for potentially new breakthrough medicines.