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Author: Louise Stanley

Birmingham researchers lead world-first treatment trial for rare liver disease

Written by Louise Stanley on . Posted in Clinical trials, Experimental medicine, Inflammation and chronic disease.

The first participant has been treated in an early-phase clinical trial investigating whether a new medical device, Carbalive, can slow disease progression and improve outcomes for patients with a rare liver disease called primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The trial, known as the CATCH trial, marks the first time this device will be studied in humans with PSC-IBD.

The new clinical trial involves several BHP partners – it’s being coordinated by researchers from the University of Birmingham and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and clinicians at University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) NHS Foundation Trust. 

PSC affects around 3500-4000 people in the UK, including both adults and children. In PSC, the body’s immune system attacks itself, causing inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts – the small tubes that carry bile (a digestive fluid produced by the liver) to the gallbladder and small intestine. This leads to reduced or blocked bile flow, and over time, liver damage.

In around 80% of people with PSC, the body also attacks the bowel, which can lead to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a devastating disease that affects the lining of the gut, leading to severe gut inflammation, bleeding and diarrhoea.

There is currently no cure or medication to improve survival, and liver transplantation remains the only life-saving option for PSC.

The exact cause of PSC is not known, but research has shown that gut inflammation, that is also a key component of IBD, is a key trigger for the disease. Removing harmful substances and restoring the disturbed gut microbiome reduces gut inflammation, which may help slow its progression.

Carbalive (also called YAQ001) is a medical device created by Yaqrit – a company that develops life-saving treatments for patients with advanced liver disease. This device is made up of tiny carbon beads with lots of different sized pores to absorb toxins that would otherwise return to the liver.

In pre-clinical studies, animals with cholestatic disease (a condition where bile flow from the liver is impaired) showed improvements in liver function and signs of disease activity after treatment with Carbalive. Early studies in people with cirrhosis have also shown the device to be safe and effective in restoring the gut microbiome and reducing inflammation.

Palak Trivedi, Principal Investigator of the study, Consultant Hepatologist and Clinician Scientist at UHB, and Professor of Cholestatic and Immune-mediated Liver Disease at the University of Birmingham, said: “PSC-IBD is a progressive condition, and with no approved treatments, it can ultimately lead to liver failure.

“This trial is an important step in exploring the potential of Carbalive to slow the progression of this disease and improve patient outcomes. By funding this trial, and this innovation, LifeArc offers hope to patients and their families through a promising new approach.”

First participant in the trial

Nick Haynes, from Nottingham, is the first participant to take part in the trial and began his treatment this week.

Nick said: “I was diagnosed with PSC a couple of years ago, and as there aren’t many treatment options available currently, that really attracted me to taking part in this trial. I think it comes with many benefits – you hope the medicine will lead to some kind of improvement, but it’s also very reassuring to be part of enhanced screening. It’s about looking to the future too, and being part of something that could advance medicine and treatment options for people with PSC feels really positive. I really hope it becomes a viable treatment for patients in the future.”

Twelve patients with PSC-IBD will receive Carbalive orally for twelve weeks, and the data collected will assess whether the treatment improves bile flow and reduces inflammation.

The trial has been made possible through funding from LifeArc, a not-for-profit organisation supporting research into rare diseases.

Troels Jordansen, Yaqrit’s Chief Executive Officer said: “This is a great opportunity for Yaqrit to help patients with PSC-IBD while remaining highly focused on the treatment of late-stage liver disease.

“In YAQ001, the company has developed a treatment that addresses toxicities and inflammation that are common in advanced liver disease but also apparent in a broader spectrum of conditions.”

Sam Barrell, CEO of LifeArc, said: “For the 3.5 million people in the UK living with rare diseases, access to treatment is a huge challenge – 95% of conditions have none. That must change. World-first trials, like the CATCH Trial, are part of the solution, which is why LifeArc funded it through our Pathfinder Programme. We have an opportunity to make the UK the go-to place for innovative trials like this, but to realise this ambition we need to transform how we support rare disease research, making a difference for rare disease patients much faster.”

CATCH is the latest clinical trial delivered through the NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, a partnership between the University of Birmingham and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust, which focuses on inflammatory disease research. Collaborative research from the NIHR Birmingham BRC has already seen nearly 1,000 clinical trials initiated and has informed UK clinical guidelines.

Lifesaving programme to prevent post-birth bleeding wins Times Higher Education STEM Award

Written by Louise Stanley on . Posted in Health inequalities, Maternal health.

A cost-effective intervention for postpartum haemorrhage, which has reduced maternal deaths worldwide by 60%, has won a major award in UK Higher Education.

The E-MOTIVE programme led by BHP founder-member the University of Birmingham and the World Health Organisation (WHO), with partners around the world, has been awarded Times Higher Education’s 2025 STEM award for best research in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

Members of the E-MOTIVE team collect their award

The award was given to the low-cost set of interventions, which are being used to reduce deaths from childbirth-related bleeding – the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. It affects an estimated 24 million women each year and results in around 70,000 deaths – mostly in low and middle-income countries – equivalent to one death every seven minutes.

Professor Adam Devall from the University of Birmingham and an author of the study said: “We are delighted that E-MOTIVE has received recognition from the Times Higher Education awards, demonstrating the high calibre of research undertaken at the University of Birmingham.

“Childbirth-related bleeding is a major risk to life for women around the world, affecting an estimated 24 million women each year. E-MOTIVE is a powerful toolkit that is already being employed globally to dramatically reduce the numbers of women dying from excessive bleeding during childbirth.

“Continued international collaboration could see EMOTIVE prevent up to 20,000 maternal deaths a year, marking a revolution in maternal care.”

Following a landmark study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the WHO has convened a group to draft its first official guidelines on bundled PPH care. It stated that bundled treatments could be provided for less than $1 per package – making them cheap enough to scale in low-income countries.

Four countries have now incorporated E-MOTIVE into their national clinical guidelines, with WHO updating its road map for addressing PPH. The Gates Foundation, which funded the trial, has pledged to invest a further $500 million (£375 million) into the treatments and further research as a result of its success.

Professor Arri Coomarasamy, Honorary Professor at the University of Birmingham who led the E-MOTIVE trial said: “E-MOTIVE has the power to radically improve women’s chances of surviving childbirth globally, helping them get the treatment they need when they need it.

“Time is of the essence when responding to postpartum bleeding, so interventions that eliminate delays in diagnosis or treatment should be gamechangers for maternal health.”

The award-winning research programme is part of the University of Birmingham’s work to end preventable death and illness in mothers affected by postpartum haemorrhage, miscarriage and other pregnancy-related conditions around the globe.

The University is leading the way in women’s health research by championing the need to test safe and effect medicine use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, including jointly leading Europe’s largest miscarriage research centre – the Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research.

The breadth of research expertise extends to other women’s health priorities, including ovarian cancer, where research has been instrumental in changing National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines regarding surgical approach.

DaRe2THINK launches enhanced digital platform to transform clinical trials for GP practices

Written by Louise Stanley on . Posted in Clinical trials, Health inequalities.

A new digital platform has been launched to transform how NHS GP practices take part in clinical trials, making research quicker, easier and more inclusive for patients across the UK.

The DaRe2THINK clinical trial, led by BHP founder-member the University of Birmingham and the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD; part of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency), and run in partnership with NHS providers and the NIHR Research Delivery Network, has developed the platform to reduce paperwork for GP staff and reach communities often underrepresented in research.

The platform securely links to existing GP systems, automatically transferring relevant health data to participating NHS General Practices, significantly reducing administrative burden on clinical staff. The enhanced functionality enables practice staff to rapidly identify suitable patient cohorts for NHS clinical trials and engage participants through integrated mobile messaging systems.

DaRe2THINK already securely screens routine healthcare records from over 13 million NHS patients across more than 450 General Practices in England. This builds upon efforts to embed research into everyday NHS care.

Puja Myles, Director of CPRD at the MHRA, said: “This platform represents a paradigm shift in how we conduct primary care research. By leveraging routine health data and advanced digital tools, we’re removing traditional barriers that have prevented many communities from accessing the benefits of clinical trial participation.”

The current DaRe2THINK trial is investigating whether earlier intervention with NHS treatments can prevent blood clots and memory loss in patients with atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm condition associated with vascular dementia. Notably, 25% of participating practices are in England’s most health-deprived areas, addressing long-standing inequalities in clinical research participation.

Dipak Kotecha, Professor of Cardiology at the University of Birmingham, said: “DaRe2THINK is leading the way to empower patients and provide an opportunity to take part in NHS clinical trials.

“The enhanced digital platform has now been rolled out across England, making it quicker and simpler for NHS staff to reach out to their patients, and embedding prevention into routine care.”

Dr Alexandra Lee, a General Practitioner at University of Birmingham, said: “The digital trial platform used in DaRe2THINK has had a positive impact on the delivery of primary care research and has helped recruit a new cohort of general practices that haven’t previously taken part in clinical trials.”

Charles Michaleis, a DaRe2THINK Participant, said: “The DaRe2THINK study was very easy to sign up to and get involved in, with the hope that this will lead to improved treatments for NHS patients who have atrial fibrillation.”

The trial is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and supported by a dedicated public engagement team. The research was carried out at the NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), a cross-BHP collaboration hosted by University Hospitals Birmingham.

DaRe2THINK aims to democratise access to clinical trials across all communities; the platform’s development aligns with the NHS People Plan to foster inclusive research culture and supports the broader goal of improving efficiency in community-based clinical trials.

A year of growth, innovation and partnership

Written by Louise Stanley on . Posted in Birmingham Health Partners.

Following a year in which Birmingham Health Partners organisations won more than £70m of research investments from NIHR and other funders, signed a strategic partnership with ABHI, and launched its BHP People reward and recognition scheme – we’re pleased to publish our fourth annual review of activity for the period September 2024-August 2025. 

In their foreword, Professors Lorraine Harper (Managing Director) and Neil Hanley (Executive Director), said:

“The past 12 months have been exceptionally busy across Birmingham Health Partners. Our flagship Reducing Bureaucracy in Clinical Trials theme has gone from strength to strength and is complemented by the fantastic news we received in December – the success of our bid to lead one of the new NIHR Commercial Research Delivery Centres (CRDCs), which aim to expand access to clinical trials to some of the country’s most underserved communities.

“In June, we welcomed colleagues from the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) to Birmingham, where we signed up to a landmark strategic partnership focused on improving clinical outcomes, addressing health inequalities, and ensuring that health technologies are scalable and relevant to population health. We look forward to continuing collaborations with ABHI and its members.

“June also saw the opening of the Precision Health Technologies Accelerator (PHTA), the University of Birmingham’s flagship research facility and anchor tenants at the new Birmingham Health Innovation Campus. This represents a golden opportunity for BHP researchers to commercialise innovations, provide consultancy to SMEs, and collaborate across the ecosystem.

“Significant progress has also been made with our Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) theme, which brings together the excellent work of our individual member organisations and provides a comprehensive suite of resources to help enhance our collective PPIE practice to ensure the patient voice is not only heard, but helps to shape and direct research.

“As ever, we are immensely proud of the achievements of all our member organisations, some of which are captured in our case study round-up which represent a mix of initiatives directly convened by BHP, and examples of exceptional innovation and collaboration from across the partnership.

“The efforts of every individual involved in research continue to benefit patients, whether it is through improving cancer outcomes, enhancing mental health research, tackling inflammation and chronic disease, or improving maternal and perinatal health across our community.

“Finally, we extend our sincere thanks to our outgoing chair, Jonathan Pearson, for his guidance over the past two years. His leadership has been clear, and always centred on what matters – people. We are delighted that Jonathan will remain a key figure in BHP through his new appointment as Chair of Health Innovation West Midlands, which will no doubt benefit from his expertise.”

View and download the BHP Annual Review of Activity 2024-2025.

Professor Andrew Filer appointed Director of NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre

Written by Louise Stanley on . Posted in Birmingham Health Partners, Inflammation and chronic disease.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) has announced the appointment of Professor Andrew Filer as its new Director. Professor Filer takes over from Professor Paul Moss, who has served as Interim Director since June 2024.

Professor Filer is already co-lead of the BRC’s Inflammatory Arthritis research theme and brings a wealth of clinical and translational research experience to the role. His leadership will further guide the BRC in delivering cutting-edge research that transforms patient care across the region and beyond.

Professor Filer said: “I’m honoured to take on the role of Director at such an exciting time for the Birmingham BRC. Our BRC is built on a foundation of collaboration, innovation and clinical excellence. I look forward to working with our partners to ensure our research continues to make a real difference to patients’ lives.”

The NIHR Birmingham BRC is a cross-BHP collaboration, hosted by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) and delivered in partnership with the University of Birmingham and six associate academic and NHS partners across the region. It brings together clinicians, scientists and healthcare professionals to drive translational research improving outcomes for people with inflammatory diseases.

Professor Kiran Patel, Chief Medical Officer at UHB, said: “Professor Filer is passionate about integrating patient-centred approaches and high-quality discovery science to drive innovation. I am delighted he has taken on this role, and I am sure he will provide effective leadership to our incredibly successful NIHR Birmingham BRC.”

Professor Neil Hanley, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Medicine and Health at the University of Birmingham, added: “I’m really excited by Andrew’s appointment. It really does reflect the strength of clinical research leadership in Birmingham. His vision and energy will be instrumental for the next phase of the BRC’s mission to deliver inclusive impact, health improvement and economic growth.”

Dr Victoria Day, Head of Infrastructure at the Birmingham BRC, commented: “Andrew brings deep knowledge of the NIHR landscape and a long-standing commitment to patient-focused research. His leadership and collaborative approach will be key to driving the Birmingham BRC forward and delivering meaningful health impact.

“I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Professor Paul Moss for his support during his time as Interim Director. His leadership and commitment have contributed to the many achievements we’ve made during this period.”

Professor Andrew Filer is a Professor of Translational Rheumatology in the Department of Inflammation and Ageing at the University of Birmingham. A Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, he holds a PhD in immunology and is an Honorary Consultant Rheumatologist. He is internationally recognised for his work in early inflammatory arthritis, particularly in developing novel imaging and biopsy techniques to study disease mechanisms and improve diagnosis.

He co-leads the Birmingham Early Arthritis Clinic and has pioneered the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound and ultrasound-guided synovial biopsy in clinical research. His research focuses on Synovial cellular biology, disease stratification, and the development of targeted therapies for rheumatoid arthritis. Professor Filer is a passionate advocate for integrating patient cohorts with high-quality basic science to accelerate translational impact.

BHP’s health inequalities lead awarded prestigious NIHR Research Professorship

Written by Louise Stanley on . Posted in Birmingham Health Partners, Health inequalities.

Our health inequalities theme lead Professor Joht Singh Chandan – from the University of Birmingham’s Department of Applied Health Sciences – has been awarded one of six prestigious NIHR Research Professorships by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

As the NIHR’s flagship award for leading researchers, this Professorship is highly prestigious and supports individuals with an outstanding track record of applied health and care research to undertake high-impact work that will shape the future of healthcare in the UK and beyond.

Professor Chandan was recognised last year as the youngest clinical professor in the UK, bringing extensive expertise across the fields of violence against women and girls, maternal health, and public health, especially addressing health inequalities in underserved communities. Most recently, he has been announced as the co-lead of the NIHR’s new Challenge Maternity Disparities Consortium bringing together nine UK universities with the aim of tackling inequalities in maternity care. Professor Chandan retains a longstanding commitment to advancing research, policy and practice in these critical areas, with work that has shaped national conversations for vulnerable populations.

“I’m deeply honoured to receive this NIHR Research Professorship,” Professor Chandan said. “Violence against women and children is one of the greatest public health challenges of our time, and survivors deserve a healthcare system that truly listens, understands, and responds to their needs. This award will allow me to work alongside individuals, families, and communities affected by violence to co-produce a more trauma-informed and equitable NHS – helping to build safer, more supportive services for everyone affected by violence.”

The five-year Research Professorship award includes funding for research costs, a leadership development programme, and support for building a research team. It is designed to strengthen the UK’s capacity for world-leading applied health research and ensure that discoveries are rapidly translated into practice.

This new professorship will enable Professor Chandan to work closely with survivors of violence to close the gaps between them and avenues of support such as local authority settings and the NHS. This work is undertaken with a view to expanding this work nationally, building research capacity, and helping to create safer, more supportive, and informed healthcare services for survivors of violence.

Despite growing awareness, significant gaps remain in the support of survivors of violence within healthcare systems. Further research is urgently needed to develop evidence-based interventions, improve service accessibility, and ensure that care is both trauma-informed and culturally sensitive for those from underserved communities. Professor Chandan also co-leads the NIHR Global Health Research Group on Violence Against Women and Children, which brings together researchers and practitioners across eleven countries to share learning and develop scalable solutions, ensuring that insights from the UK inform, and are informed by, global efforts to tackle violence.

Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR and Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care, said: “I am delighted to welcome this new cohort of NIHR Research Professors. As well as recognising individual excellence, these awards are a strategic investment in our research leadership across health, social care and public health.

“I look forward to seeing the positive impact of these awardees’ research and leadership across major health and care challenges.”

NIHR Research Professorships are among the UK’s most prestigious career development awards. The awards are focussed on translating into real world impact. The 10 Year Health Plan recognised the need for research and innovation to be integrated into health and care practice.

NIHR Research Professors combine their academic roles with professional practice. They provide a crucial link between research and the delivery of health, social care and public health services, driving the implementation of evidence-based improvements that address key health and social care challenges.