The UK government says clinical trials are being set up faster, potentially helping patients gain earlier access to promising treatments for cancer, heart disease and other serious conditions.

New figures published on 21 October show that the average set-up time for commercial clinical trials in the UK fell to 100 days, compared with 153 days in the same period a year earlier. All 24 commercial trials covered by the latest reporting period were established within 150 days, exceeding the government’s target.

The improvement could strengthen the UK's position as a destination for medical research while helping researchers evaluate new medicines and treatments more efficiently.

One example is the BEATRIX study, which is investigating a vaccine intended to protect pregnant women against group B streptococcus, a bacterial infection that can cause severe illness in newborns. The government says the study progressed from set-up to delivery in less than 150 days.

The announcement forms part of a wider effort to attract life-sciences investment, improve NHS research capacity and shorten the time between scientific discoveries and clinical care.

However, faster trial set-up does not mean every patient will receive a new treatment sooner. Trials must still recruit suitable participants, collect reliable evidence and meet regulatory and ethical requirements before medicines can be approved for routine use.

The government says continued investment and cooperation between the NHS, researchers and pharmaceutical companies will be important to sustaining progress.