A patient in Liverpool has become the first in the world to take part in a new research study looking at better treatment options for people living with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. This milestone was reached by the NIHR Clinical Research Facility in Liverpool, ahead of sites across the US and Europe.
The study is an early-stage (Phase I) trial. This is an important first step in developing new treatments, where researchers carefully explore how they work in people and how they can be used safely alongside medicines patients may already take.
For the team in Liverpool, reaching this milestone on 28 May 2026 reflects months of close collaboration and dedication behind the scenes. The first patient joined the study just 118 days after regulatory submission, faster than the national target of 150 days.
Behind this achievement is a shared commitment to making research more accessible and opening up opportunities for patients to take part. By getting studies like this up and running quickly, patients in Liverpool and beyond can access new treatment options sooner, helping to shape care for the future.