The incoming chair of an internationally renowned, UK-based dementia research network has said it is critical experts “seize the moment” and pool their knowledge to enhance patients’ chances and accelerate the launch of new treatments.
Dr Catherine Mummery is set to take over the helm of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Dementia Translational Research Collaboration (D-TRC).
Joining her as joint deputy chairs at the alliance will be NIHR Newcastle’s Biomedical Research Centre theme lead, Professor John-Paul Taylor, and Dr Vanessa Raymont, director of research and development at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.
The new leaders will spearhead the next five years of clinical dementia research development and delivery, bringing together top experts in the field and guiding pioneering translational exploration into the syndrome – a key part of the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Mission launched in August 2022 in the late actresses memory to speed up the growth of treatments and contribute to the Government’s goal of doubling funding to £160m by 2024/25.
Dr Catherine Mummery
Speaking about her appointment Dr Mummery, who leads the cognitive disorders service at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, and is head of novel therapeutics at the Dementia Research Centre at UCL, said: “This presents a unique and timely opportunity to make the UK a global leader in early phase clinical trials in dementia.
“We are entering a new era in potential treatments for AD and other diseases. It is critical we seize the moment and come together as a community to speed up therapies and optimise chances for our patients.”
The D-TRC works within the national network of NIHR Biomedical Research Centres, along with clinical research facilities and members of the devolved nations. The new leadership team will also collaborate with the charities Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Dr Mummery will be taking over from Professor David Burn, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University, who has been critical in building momentum and galvanising the D-TRC over the last 12 months by leveraging research-related grant funding. During that time £7.17m has been channelled by the D-TRC into new dementia research.
Professor Burn, who has an international reputation for research in dementia associated with Parkinson’s, provided expert input into the All Parliamentary Group on Dementia. He also offered his expert advice to the Department of Health and Social Care on the ‘Dementia Moonshot,’ the British Government’s 10-year plan to increase funding to tackle the syndrome, which currently affects around 900,000 people in the UK.
UK patient numbers are expected to exceed one million by 2030 and 1.6 million by 2050.
Professor John-Paul Taylor
Professor Taylor comes to his role as joint deputy chair having published over 200 peer reviewed articles and edited two books in the field of dementia and old age psychiatry. Currently acting as the chief investigator for the NIHR HTA COBALT trial assessing the clinical and cost-effectiveness of memantine in patients with dementia and Parkinson’s disease, he said creating a pathway for people living with an ongoing decline of brain functioning to take part in observational assessments, is important to him.
“At the moment, approximately less than one in 100 people living with dementia take part in dementia clinical trials in the UK. Addressing this challenge is critical to discovering new and effective treatments.
“As joint deputy chair of the Dementia TRC, I am immensely excited that I can contribute to this fantastic initiative. It means that, at scale, we will be able to offer many more people living with dementia the opportunity to take part in meaningful clinical trials.”
Dr Raymont added: “Being appointed to the role of joint deputy chair of the Dementia TRC is a huge honour. Looking back on my experience of dementia research over the last 30 years, this is truly an exciting time.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Dementia TRC and beyond, to bring the amazing infrastructure we have in the UK together to further clinical trials.”
Dr Vanessa Raymont
Dr Richard Oakley, associate director of research at Alzheimer’s Society said he welcomed the new appointments and “the increase in investment that this vital piece of the UK clinical trial infrastructure is going to receive.
“The benefits of hosting clinical trials are convincing. In 2019, the total estimated income for the NHS from delivering commercial clinical trials across all disease areas was £355m.
“A growing industry pipeline in dementia means this is an area of huge opportunity for UK clinical research. We are at a turning point in the fight against dementia. Now is the time to invest in clinical research.”
Dr Oakley’s support for the appointment has been echoed by David Thomas, head of policy at Alzheimer’s Research UK. He said: “We are delighted that Cath, John-Paul and Vanessa are taking on these roles. I know that they have the skills and experience to maximise this opportunity. They will aim to raise the UK’s profile in dementia clinical research on a global stage. We look forward to working with them on this important agenda.
“There is an urgent need to futureproof the UK’s clinical trial capacity and infrastructure. This is essential for attracting industry investment to the UK and increasing the number of people with dementia who take part in trials.”