Milton Keynes (14 January 2025) – Today, UK based Medical Research Network (MRN), the innovative market-leader of international community-based clinical trial delivery, announces the acquisition of VCTC, a UK-based multi-therapeutic clinical research site network.
The acquisition of VCTC is part of MRN’s global growth strategy, building partnerships with UK and international clinical trial support organizations that align with MRN’s mission and focus on providing patient-centric, community-based clinical research.
In 2024, MRN launched a global Site Network capable of successfully delivering clinical trials in new communities. Within the first year, this network rapidly expanded in North America, South America, the United Kingdom and Europe, now with over 80 sites in partnership. Each site in the MRN Network has access to the appropriate support to successfully run clinical trials, including MRN technology and training, operational and staffing support, and Home Trial Support (in-home clinical trial delivery). With the acquisition of Derbyshire based VCTC, this network is now expanded to established clinical trial sites across the UK, including an associated network of approximately 30 community sites and expanding capabilities to run virtual trial models.
Graham Wylie, Executive Chairman of MRN, said: “VCTC brings a proven track record of high-quality delivery and a commitment to innovation that aligns perfectly with MRN’s mission. This acquisition is a testament to our strategic approach to scaling our operations while maintaining the high standards that have made us a leader in community-based trials. By combining our strengths, we are better positioned to expand internationally and deliver innovative patient-centric solutions that transform patient recruitment and retention in trials worldwide.”
Helen Shaw, Co-founder of VCTC, said: “This is an exciting milestone for VCTC, as joining forces with MRN provides us with the resources and global platform needed to take our business to the next level. Together, we can build on the incredible progress we’ve achieved over the past three years, delivering flexible, patient-focused services that set new benchmarks for clinical research. MRN’s experience and vision will be invaluable as we expand our reach and enhance our offerings.”
Together these organizations will be able to deliver full patient outreach, recruitment and treatment in clinical trials – boosting patient enrollment, enhancing diversity in trial demographics, and creating more accessible clinical trials.
This announcement furthers MRN’s mission to provide the gold standard platform of clinical trial services designed to work together in synergy, bringing trials closer to patients, while making trials faster, more efficient, more inclusive, and more accessible for all patients and all research sites around the world.
About MRN
MRN accelerates patient recruitment and improves patient engagement and retention through site-centric and patient-centric solutions. As an innovative market-leader, MRN provides customized solutions to optimize each individual protocol and create more flexible, efficient, and accessible clinical trials that deliver accelerated timelines. Through integrated in-home visit delivery and a vast global network of trained, research ready sites, all empowered by MRN’s digital solutions, MRN engages with and empowers diverse communities around the world to participate in and advance medical research.
MRN has offices in the UK, France, Spain, Germany, USA, and Japan and provides local home trial services across all major clinical research countries spanning North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Australasia.
For more information about MRN, please visit https://themrn.io/ and follow us on LinkedIn.
For more details on our services or to initiate an RFP for an upcoming trial, email [email protected]
About VCTC
VCTC is an industry-leading, UK based provider of clinical trials services, experts in both delivering virtual clinical trials, and enhancing traditional trial models. Founded in 2021 by Dr. Helen Shaw and Dan Henley, VCTC’s mission make clinical research accessible and meaningful for anyone, anywhere. Through flexible site options for clinical research that empowers participants and prioritizing the participant experience, VCTC ensures patient voices are valued, and research outcomes are accelerated.
For more information about VCTC, please visit https://thevctc.com/.
Media Contact
Medical Research Network
Laura Lange
Executive Director, Marketing