Theo Christie
NIHR Clinical Research Network, UK
Title: Biosimilars in the UK’s NHS: Attitudes, appetites and acceptance
Biography
Biography: Theo Christie
Abstract
Is the NHS ready for the biosimilars boom? to most, biosimilars are a no-brainer. But as with anything new, there are early adopters
and sceptics. The NIHR CRN is an independent, government-funded organization which supports delivery of the majority of
clinical research in England - and with that comes unique insight. The NIHR CRN can report that attitudes, appetites and acceptance
in relation to biosimilars in the UK are changing. Despite being approximately ten years ahead of the US our approach and acceptance
of biosimilar drugs, in 2015 it came to light, some commercial trial sponsors were overlooking the UK as a destination for biosimilar
trials - claiming that the appetite for delivering these types of trials was low. The NIHR Clinical Research Network was drafted to
sharpen the UK’s competitive edge. In this presentation we will reveal why life science companies were overlooking the UK to deliver
their trials, and how these challenges are being overcome using the Clinical Research Network structure which is unique to the NHS
in England. Companies can now continue to place their biosimilar trial in UK with confidence and get ahead of the game when it
comes to study set-up, feasibility, and patient recruitment. This presentation will present a range of perspectives (via video clips)
which illustrate how the UK’s appetite, capacity and capabilities to deliver biosimilar clinical trials have developed in parallel with the
expansion of the biosimilars market. You will hear from those involved in conducting biosimilar trials - the clinicians, investigators
and nurses at the coal face of research delivery in the NHS. We’ve also captured the NHS Trust R&D viewpoint, along with some
thoughts from the NHS pharmacy team. The British Biosimilar Association offers up some interesting ideas, but probably the most
memorable perspective is that of the patient.