Kerry Saunders
3 February, 2025
News

Preston clinical research community gather to celebrate the 5 year anniversary of Panthera’s Preston clinical research clinic

On Thursday 23rd January 2025, the UK’s largest Site Management Organisation (SMO), Panthera Biopartners, which runs clinical trials for global pharma, held an event to celebrate the five year anniversary of its launch at its Preston head office and clinical research clinic. Maya Ellis, MP for Ribble Valley, attended as guest of honour and was joined by members of Panthera’s Preston team, clients and local healthcare professionals involved in clinical research.

Left to right: Dr Ian Smith MBE (Founder, Panthera), Maya Ellis MP,
Stuart Young (CEO, Panthera)

Panthera, which recruits patients and operates clinical trials at six dedicated clinical trial clinics across the UK on behalf of its global pharmaceutical clients, launched at the end of 2019 with its first clinic in Preston. In 2021 it expanded and moved its Preston clinic and head office into the purpose-built super-practice at Issa Medical’s Fatima Health Centre on Garstang Road.

Panthera has established itself as a vital contributor to the local economy, creating more than 156 positions, many of them highly qualified healthcare professionals,  at their Preston clinic and head office. This not only highlights Panthera’s significant impact on job creation but also its commitment to fostering local talent. 

Panthera CEO, Stuart Young, commented: “It is fantastic to have such strong local support, not only from fellow healthcare professionals in Preston but also the patients in the community who volunteer to take part in clinical research studies and our amazing team at the Preston clinic and head office. We look forward to continuing to bring the very best clinical research and significant healthcare investment to the community of Preston”.

Panthera's Preston Clinical research clinic and head office is located at Fatima Health Centre on Garstang Road
Panthera's Preston Clinical research clinic and head office is located at Fatima Health Centre on Garstang Road Credit: Panthera Biopartners

Panthera’s Preston clinic provides patients and GPs the opportunity to participate in the latest groundbreaking clinical research. Patient volunteers can also gain additional benefits from taking part in clinical research such as regular health assessments and access to new treatments, as well as helping to advance medical understanding for future generations. 

Maya Ellis, MP for Ribble Valley, commented “It was an honour to attend Panthera’s celebration at its clinical research clinic in Preston and good to meet so many of the people who are involved in the vital work of developing new medicines. I am delighted that people living in Preston have the opportunity to take part in this research not only for themselves , but also for the health of our children, grandchildren and future generations”.

Since launching in 2019, Panthera has rapidly grown to be number one SMO in the UK recruiting patients and running late stage clinical trials on behalf of ten of the top twelve pharmaceutical companies and seven of the top Contract Research Organisations (CROs) across a wide range of therapy areas including vaccines, cardiovascular, general medicine, neurology, respiratory, rheumatology and cancer.

Local resident John Curran speaking about his experience of taking part in a COPD clinical trial at Panthera’s Preston clinical research clinic
Local resident John Curran speaking about his experience of taking part in a COPD clinical trial at Panthera’s Preston clinical research clinic Credit: Credit: Photography by Luke
Ellis MP for Ribble Valley
Ellis MP for Ribble Valley Credit: Credit: Photography by Luke