NIHR | Manchester Biomedical Research Centre

Annual Report Summary 2024/25

This page contains the accessible HTML format of the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre Annual Report Summary 2024/25.

Download the Annual Report Summary 2024/25 PDF.


Foreword 

I am delighted to introduce a summary of key achievements from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), covering our activity from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. 

Reflecting on the year, we have made excellent progress in our vision to drive personalised health and care for all.  

From improving patient diagnostics and shaping clinical practice, to investing in people in a diverse and inclusive research environment, Manchester BRC continues to bridge gaps between new discoveries and individualised care. 

Thank you to everyone who is involved in and supports our efforts to drive forward health improvements and reduce health inequalities for people across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, South Cumbria and beyond. Our workforce, students, healthcare professionals, research participants, industry colleagues, funders and public contributors are working together to create lasting change for all. 

Professor Anne Barton  

Director, NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre 

Awarded more than £64.1 million for 2022-28, Manchester BRC brings together world-leading researchers based at The University of Manchester and 6 NHS Trusts: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust. 


Who we are 

  • 191 NIHR Investigators – world-class researchers 
  • 285 NIHR Associates – multi-disciplinary, diverse teams driving our research programmes and strategic areas 
  • 62 PhD Trainees – range of clinical and non-clinical PhDs training researchers of the future. 

Our research Themes bring together a dynamic team of internationally recognised researchers, in the areas where we believe we can have the greatest impact on improving people’s health. Our 13 different Theme areas are grouped into 4 Clusters:

  • Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics Catalyst: Next Generation Therapeutics, Next Generation Phenotyping and Diagnostics.
  • Cancer: Prevention and Early Detection, Advanced Radiotherapy, Cancer Precision Medicine and Living With and Beyond Cancer.
  • Inflammation: Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Respiratory Medicine, Dermatology, Integrative Cardiovascular Medicine.
  • Under-Researched Conditions: Hearing Health, Mental Health and Rare Conditions.

Our progress 

We have made advances across innovation, investment, and clinical impact. Our 3 top achievements are:

  1. Innovation – Near-patient diagnostics

Within the Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Theme, Manchester BRC has pioneered a groundbreaking urine-based test for human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer. This test is not only cost-effective and 6 times less carbon-intensive than traditional testing methods, but also significantly more acceptable to minoritised groups, including LGBTQ+ and ethnically diverse populations, due to its home-based design.  

Within the Rare Conditions Theme, Manchester BRC collaborated with pharmacogenetic testing company genedrive to develop a rapid, point-of-care genetic test for changes in a specific gene. 

This test, now being used in stroke centres nationwide, supports National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)-recommended personalised prescribing of the current first-line treatment to prevent recurrence. 

  1. Investment in People – Building future innovators

Manchester BRC has fostered a diverse and inclusive research environment, supporting individuals at every career stage. This includes:

  • 20 placements for healthcare professionals 
  • 25 new PhD studentships (April 2024 to March 2025) 
  • 6 additional consultants now have protected research time through the Clinical Research Investment Scheme.  

20 clinical academics have secured prestigious external fellowships, while staff benefit from tailored training, leadership development, and active involvement in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives, Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) activities, and support via our newly established neurodivergent working group. 

  1. Impact – Shaping clinical practice

Manchester BRC research has directly influenced national and global clinical guidelines, including asthma management, the monitoring of the use of biologic therapies in inflammatory arthritis, and candidiasis treatment

Experimental medicine studies have enabled drug repurposing for myositis (the name for a group of rare conditions that cause weak muscles) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (a condition where lungs become scarred and breathing becomes difficult) related cough. A NIHR Manchester Clinical Research Facility study led by Manchester BRC RMD Theme investigator, Professor Ben Parker recruited the first person in the UK to a CAR-T trial for severe lupus. 

In 2024-25, we had: 

  • 490 Manchester BRC-linked research publications 
  • 35,813 participants recruited to projects 
  • 470 overall active projects, including: 
  • 71 children’s research projects 
  • 308 new public partners who have worked with us through Vocal 

Additional funding awards 

From April 2024 to March 2025, Manchester BRC leveraged £81.2 million in external income. This figure is a reflection of the quality and breadth of research expertise, a key marker of our success and ensures we can successfully deliver on our work programmes. 

  • Department of Health and Social Care / NIHR: £16.34 million
  • Industry Collaborative: £11.69 million
  • Industry Contract: £3.76 million
  • Other Non-Commercial: £5.39 million
  • Research Charity: £36.89 million
  • Research Council: £7.14 million

Impact case studies


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