NIHR Royal Surrey Clinical Research Facility

The NIHR Royal Surrey Clinical Research Facility (CRF) is a purpose-built environment dedicated to the delivery of early phase clinical research led by world-changing expertise across key research areas.

It is a joint venture between the Royal Surrey Foundation Trust and the University of Surrey, and is funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research.

The CRF supports the delivery of early translational and experimental medicine research, from studies testing new treatments in patients for the very first time (first-in-human trials) through to early safety and efficacy trials (Phase IIa trials).

The CRF provides dedicated purpose-built facilities and expertise for the delivery of high-intensity studies funded by the NIHR, The University of Surrey, the life sciences industry and other organisations.

The state-of-the-art facility is located at the University’s Manor Park campus, adjacent to the Royal Surrey County Hospital. It expands the shared medical research capabilities of the hospital and The University of Surrey, providing dedicated space, specialist equipment and skilled staff to support early-stage clinical research, including first-in-human clinical trials. 

The CRF is jointly led by Co-Directors Dr Hana Hassanin from the University of Surrey and Dr Stephen Barnett from the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, with Professor Aftab Ala, who has a clinical research role that spans the hospital and university, as Deputy Director.