A major milestone in health research was marked on 16 October 2025 with the official launch of the Sussex Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC) at the Sussex Health and Care Research Partnership (SHCRP) Conference, held at the University of Sussex.
The CRDC, hosted by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, is part of a national network of NIHR-funded centres designed to accelerate commercial clinical research across the UK.
The launch event brought together a vibrant mix of academics, health and care professionals, researchers, members of the public, and those with lived experience from across the Sussex Integrated Care System.
The conference, which exists to support collaborative research across Sussex, provided the perfect platform to unveil this transformative initiative.
Professor Martin Llewelyn, Director of Research at University Hospitals Sussex, introduced the CRDC and its role within the national network of 15 centres across England.
His keynote highlighted the centre’s mission to:
- Expand access to cutting-edge treatments for patients in Sussex
- Reduce health inequalities through inclusive research participation, building on the work of the Research Engagement Network
- Strengthen the local research infrastructure and support the life sciences sector
- Drive inward investment into Sussex and the UK
Our goal is simple,” said Professor Llewelyn. “We want to make Sussex one of the best places in the UK for patients to benefit from the latest treatments and for companies to deliver world-class research. The CRDC is a gateway to opportunity — for patients, for our health system, and for our economy.
Visit the Sussex CRDC website to explore our mission, meet the team, and discover how you can get involved—whether you’re a patient, researcher, or industry partner.
