Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 4 February (HL4498), which commercial, third sector and other non-commercial organisations are involved in myeloma treatment trials and studies jointly funded or hosted by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR); and what assessment NIHR has made of their progress.

Funders of myeloma treatment trials and studies hosted by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) clinical research infrastructure include the following organisations:

- All Ireland Co-operative Oncology Research Group;

- Array Biopharma Inc.;

- Bristol Myers Squibb;

- Cancer Research UK;

- Celgene;

- Cell Medica Ltd;

- Centocor Ortho Biotech Services, Inc.;

- Chiron Corporation;

- Chugai Pharma UK;

- Eli Lilly;

- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd;

- Genmab;

- Insightec;

- International Myeloma Foundation;

- Janssen Cilag International NV;

- Kay Kendall Leukaemia Fund;

- Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc;

- Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research;

- Medical Research Council;

- Merck & Co., Inc.;

- Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.;

- MPD Voice;

- Myeloma UK;

- NIHR;

- Novartis

- Onyx Therapeutics, Inc.;

- Schering Health Care Ltd; and

- Wellcome Trust.

The following NIHR biomedical research centres are hosting myeloma treatment trials and studies:

- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Cambridge;

- Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with King’s College London;

- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, in partnership with the University of Oxford;

- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the Institute of Cancer Research; and

- University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with University College London.

The following National Health Service trusts receiving NIHR funding for clinical research facilities for experimental medicine are hosting myeloma treatment trials and studies:

- Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust;

- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust;

- Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust;

- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust;

- University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust; and

- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.

Over 100 sites in the NHS are recruiting patients to one or more myeloma trials and studies hosted by the NIHR Clinical Research Network.

The Department of Health is a member of the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI). NCRI Clinical Studies Groups (CSGs) bring together clinicians, scientists, statisticians and lay representatives to coordinate development of a strategic portfolio of trials within their field. All CSGs interact with clinical research networks, funders (including NIHR) and researchers to develop studies aimed at improving outcomes for patients. The Haematological Oncology CSG has a Myeloma Subgroup and its 2013-14 annual report is available on the NCRI website at:

http://csg.ncri.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/NCRI-Haem-Onc-CSG-Annual-Report-2013-14.pdf

All designated NIHR infrastructure for experimental medicine is contractually required to report annually on progress with agreed research work plans.