UK patients could soon be among the first in the world to benefit from next‑generation medical technologies, as new data shows clinical investigations have reached their highest level on record.
New figures from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency show a 17% rise in approved clinical investigations compared with last year, with companies increasingly choosing Great Britain to test cutting‑edge medical devices. The growth comes as the MHRA introduces new measures to support innovation and reduce barriers for smaller companies.
For patients, this growth means earlier access to potentially life‑changing technologies. For the NHS, it offers new tools to diagnose disease earlier, improve treatment precision and better manage long‑term health conditions.
The global race to tackle complex health conditions is fuelling rapid investment in neurotechnology. UK studies in this field have doubled since 2024, now accounting for around a quarter of all applications.
Recent approvals include a deep brain stimulation feasibility study examining potential treatments for addiction, and a first‑in‑human paediatric study – led by Great Ormond Street Hospital, University College London, and the University of Oxford – testing a rechargeable brain‑stimulation implant for children with severe, treatment‑resistant epilepsy
AI‑powered medical devices are also surging. New studies include:
- Imaging tools that detect disease earlier and guide clinical decisions
- A digital app that adjusts COPD treatment in real time while giving clinicians richer data
- Emerging technologies to protect and restore vision
Together, these innovations point to a future of faster diagnosis, more personalised treatments and improved patient outcomes.
The UK’s regulatory environment is proving attractive to researchers. Since September 2023, the MHRA has met 100% of its statutory deadlines for investigation approvals.
In 2025, the average approval time fell to 51 days, nine days faster than the 60‑day target. The agency also provides hands‑on scientific advice, supporting safer, more robust study design.
To support continued growth, the MHRA has announced a new package of reforms aimed at accelerating high‑impact devices and reducing early barriers for innovators:
- From January 2026, fees are waived for micro and small UK companies under a pilot scheme
- High‑potential devices may access early market pathways
- Researchers can access enhanced scientific support for high‑impact technologies
These measures are intended to fast‑track ideas that might otherwise struggle to reach clinical testing.
Lawrence Tallon, Chief Executive of the MHRA, said:
“This has been a standout year for medical device innovation in the UK. We’re seeing more of the world’s most exciting technologies coming here first, particularly in areas like brain health, where patients urgently need better options.
“Our focus now is on backing the most innovative ideas, cutting unnecessary barriers, and helping companies move more quickly while keeping patient safety at the heart of everything we do.”
The MHRA has also joined a UK‑wide partnership led by Newcastle University to update national neurotechnology research guidance. The aim is to provide clearer and faster routes for clinicians and companies developing devices that interact with the brain and nervous system – one of the fastest‑growing areas in global health innovation.
Record clinical investigation numbers, combined with regulatory reforms, aim to cement the UK’s status as a global hub for innovative medical technology.
By supporting faster approvals, clearer guidance and stronger backing for small companies, the MHRA intends to ensure UK patients benefit sooner from the next generation of medical devices – from advanced imaging tools to neurostimulation implants and AI‑powered diagnostics.
Image credit: iStock
