NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre’s 2025 research highlights

From pioneering clinical trials to transformative discoveries, 2025 has been a landmark year for the NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre. Here are 11 highlights – one from each of our research themes.

1. Global trial finding a cure for rare childhood cancer opens
   Cancer inflammation | The Glo-BNHL trial is trialling multiple new treatments to offer a better chance of survival to children who have not responded to treatment for B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-NHL), or who have relapsed.
   
   
2. 240-year-old drug could save NHS £100m a year treating atrial fibrillation
   Thrombo – inflammation | The RATE-AF trial showed that digoxin could save the NHS at least £100 million each year when treating older patients with atrial fibrillation compared to usual treatment with a beta-blocker.
   
   
3. Birmingham researchers lead world-first trial for rare liver disease treatment
   Inflammatory liver disease | An early-phase clinical trial has recently opened investigating whether a new medical device, Carbalive, can slow disease progression of a rare liver disease called primary sclerosing cholangitis.
   
   
4. New microbiome study to fight bowel cancer and bowel disease
   Oral, intestinal and systemic health | Funded by Bowel Research UK, BRC researchers are investigating the composition of faecal microbiota transplants and their potential as a transformative treatment for gut-related diseases.
   
   
5. First of its kind study for children with arthritis reveals possible new disease targets
   Inflammatory arthritis | A ground-breaking study by researchers from University of Birmingham, UCL, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Birmingham Children’s Hospital revealed key clues into what drives disease in children with arthritis.
   
   
6. Strict regulations needed to address off-the-shelf health test concerns
   Data, diagnostics and decision tools | Off-the-shelf health tests need much greater regulation due to significant concerns over claims and the suitability of the tests for the public, a landmark BRC study has found.
   
   
7. Birmingham researchers work on revolutionary approach to prevent hay fever
   Next generation therapies | Developed during COVID by BRC researchers, the NoriZite nasal spray is now sold in over 10 countries. The team is now working to perfect a new formulation for a drug-free nasal spray to prevent hay fever.
   
   
8. Researchers discover new way fat cells sense fatty acids to adapt their metabolism
   Women’s metabolic health | The results of the study change our understanding of how fat metabolism is regulated and could lead to new treatment strategies for obesity, diabetes and other metabolic diseases.
   
   
9. Immune ageing in earliest stages of rheumatoid arthritis gives hope for early intervention
   Sarcopenia and multimorbidity | A study found that features of immune system ageing can be detected in the earliest stages of RA, even before diagnosis. This could enable early intervention for at-risk individuals.
   
   
10. Vaping effect on respiratory system subject of new research project
    Infection and acute care | Building on internationally recognised work in e-cigarettes, the £1.46M MRC-funded EVALUATE study aims to address unanswered questions about the effect of long-term vaping on the respiratory system.
    
    
11. Self-reported outcome measures could improve quality of life for CAR T-Cell therapy patients
    Patient-reported outcomes | This first-of-its-kind study lays the groundwork for digitally monitoring patients in real time to help improve the clinical management experience of their treatment.