New joint funding arrangements for late phase clinical trials
The MRC remains committed to supporting clinical trials and will continue to fund them under the new strategy for translational research recently announced by the MRC and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). Note that early phase proof of concept trials can now be supported through the MRC’s Developmental Clinical Studies scheme.
Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation programme (EME)
The MRC will focus its investment in late phase clinical trials in the new Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) programme which was launched on 1 April 2008. The EME programme will be funded by the MRC, and administered on its behalf by the NIHR.
Preliminary applications are now being accepted. For further information and details of how to apply please see the EME programme website
Note that early phase proof of concept trials can now be supported through the MRC’s Developmental Clinical Studies scheme.
The EME programme aims to support excellent clinical science with an ultimate view to improving health or patient care. Its remit includes clinical trials and evaluative studies which:
- evaluate clinical efficacy of interventions (where proof of concept in humans has already been achieved);
- add significantly to our understanding of biological or behavioural mechanisms and processes;
- explore new scientific or clinical principles;
- include the development or testing of new methodologies.
The MRC–funded EME programme will mainly work in responsive mode, taking applications from the research community and assessing them at regular intervals, although it may also fund proactively in particular areas of importance. Details of how to apply for funding are available from the EME website.
The MRC-funded EME programme will complement the already established NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme, designed to produce research information about the effectiveness, costs, and broader impact of health technologies for those who use, manage and provide care in the NHS.
Under the new arrangements there will be a single joint portal for clinical trial applications to the EME and the HTA programmes.
Together this joint strategy will ensure that promising technologies are carried from the efficacy and safety stage through to being assessed for clinical and cost-effectiveness to the NHS.
For further detailed information please see www.eme.ac.uk or email info@eme.ac.uk