Women's health research centre opens at Millennium Point

A new clinical research centre focused on women's and children's health has opened at Millennium Point in Birmingham, with plans to create up to 30 jobs over the next three years.

The hub, run by Selene Clinical Research, is the first of six NHS integrated research sites the company plans to open across the UK over the next five years. It will aim to attract national and international research programmes to Birmingham, and the jobs will be skilled clinical, research and operational roles.

Closing the gap

Women and children have historically been under-represented in clinical trials, which means medicines and treatments are often tested mainly on men. Selene was set up to make clinical research more accessible to them, and to make it easier for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to bring studies to women and children.

An inspiration close to home

The hub was officially opened by Professor Helen Higson, a Deputy Lieutenant, alongside Selene's chief executive, Bridie Rowbotham, and her eight-year-old niece, Annabella, who was one of the company's main inspirations. Annabella has a rare eye condition and has had limited access to suitable research in the UK, and her family has had to travel long distances for specialist care.

"Selene's mission is to make clinical research more accessible, inclusive and impactful for patients, healthcare providers and innovators alike," Ms Rowbotham said. "We're especially focused on breaking down the barriers that women and children face in accessing the latest medical advancements."

"Birmingham's established strengths in clinical trials, diverse population and world-class healthcare institutions also made it the obvious choice for our first UK base."

The Knowledge Quarter

Millennium Point sits in the 210-hectare Birmingham Knowledge Quarter in Eastside, one of three key sites in the region's investment zone. More than half of the UK's advanced therapy clinical trials take place in the region, which has more than 700 medical devices companies.

Councillor Roger Harmer, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "Birmingham's Knowledge Quarter is turbocharging the area's appeal to the healthcare sector by building on local strengths in diagnostics, digital and data-driven healthcare. Life-changing science starts here."

Why diversity in trials matters

Medicines can work differently in women and men, and in people of different ages and ethnic backgrounds. When trials do not include a representative range of people, side effects or differences in how well a treatment works can be missed until after it is in wide use. Birmingham's young and diverse population makes it a valuable place to run studies that reflect the people who will eventually use the treatments.

Taking part in research

Anyone interested in taking part in health research can register with Be Part of Research, the NHS service that helps people find studies near them, or ask their GP or hospital team about trials that might be suitable for them.