Commercial clinical trials

Find out about our commercial clinical trials and what services we offer.

Two colleagues (a man and a woman) meet in the corridor and stop for a chat. Background image shows artwork using the word 'laboratory'

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What is a commercial clinical trial?

Commercial clinical trials are research studies funded by private sector organisations, such as pharmaceutical companies. They develop and test new medical products and treatments, including drugs, surgical procedures, and medical devices. Trials are often conducted within healthcare settings like the NHS, supported by NHS staff. Commercial trials evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new therapies before they can be approved for public use.

KHP-CTO doesn’t have a direct relationship with patients, but manages commercial research involving patients at Guy’s and St Thomas’, King’s College Hospital & South London and Maudsley NHS Trusts.

Why choose King’s Health Partners Clinical Trials Office?

The Commercial team at the King’s Health Partners Clinical Trials Office (KHP-CTO) delivers streamlined, expert support for industry-sponsored clinical trials across our Partner Trusts: Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

We aim to ensure consistent, efficient processes for trial set-up and administration, while supporting investigators who want to engage in commercial research.

We ensure all research staff are equipped with the skills and experience to deliver trials to the highest standards of Good Clinical Practice (GCP).

We provide a single-point-of-contact for sponsors and investigators, ensuring efficient trial setup, fast approvals, and consistent high standards in clinical trial conduct.

A group of three people, 2 women and one man, sitting at a small round table having a meeting.
The King's Health Partners Clinical Trials Office (KHP-CTO) sits at the centre of the diagram, with all connections flowing outward from it. To the upper left, a red dashed line flows out to King's Health Partners, and continues further left to King's College London. To the right, yellow dashed lines flow out to three NHS Foundation Trusts: King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. To the lower left, a green dashed line flows out to two organisations: Commercial sponsors and Contract Research Organisations (CROs). Callout text states: The King's Health Partners Clinical Trials Office (KHP-CTO) represents three leading NHS Trusts in London with respect to commercially sponsored research: King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. The KHP-CTO acts as an interface between these Trusts and Commercial sponsors, and CROs by extension, to swiftly set up studies and ensure smooth study delivery. The KHP-CTO supports all commercially sponsored research in these Trusts, comprising 14 hospitals caring for 3.7 million patients each year, and sets up studies in all therapeutic areas.
The King's Health Partners Clinical Trials Office (KHP-CTO) sits at the centre of the diagram. Inside it, the Commercial Team is shown split into two sub-teams divided by a dashed line: the Governance & Contracts Team on the left and the Finance Team on the right. The KHP-CTO is connected to five surrounding organisations: King's College London and King's Health Partners on the left, and King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust on the right. Callout text states: The Commercial Team are split into two parts: the Governance & Contracts Team, and the Finance Team. The Governance & Contracts Team support researchers, Commercial sponsors and Contract Research Organisations (CROs) with setup and amendments for commercially sponsored studies. The Finance Team ensure commercially sponsored research activity is billed and distributed within King's Health Partners.

Key services

Backed by clinical quality management and comprehensive training, we give teams the tools and knowledge required to carry out trials aligned with best research practices. This work is led under a formal collaboration agreement by the Director of KHP-CTO, ensuring aligned processes across all partners.

A single point of contact for study setup.

Efficient liaison between Sponsors, CROs and Partner Trusts.

Pragmatic contract and budget negotiation.

Superior NCVR expertise.

Outstanding invoicing support.

Get in touch

Our friendly team is here to help.
Contact our commercial team