Cure Leukaemia Announces Major Three-Year Funding Extension to ACT
Cure Leukaemia is delighted to announce a significant three-year extension to its funding commitment for ACT (Accelerating Clinical Trials Ltd). This investment ensures the continued growth of a national infrastructure dedicated to fast-tracking pioneering treatments for blood cancer patients.
The funding will enable ACT to coordinate and deliver both existing and new clinical trials across the UK by directly supporting a network of specialised research nurses and clinical roles. These roles are the backbone of trials networks, providing patients with access to innovative therapies that are not yet available through standard care.
In the UK, someone is diagnosed with blood cancer every 27 seconds, and approximately 250,000 people are currently living with the disease. This funding extension is a direct response to that urgency, providing the long-term stability needed to bring more life-saving options to the bedside.
Professor Charlie Craddock CBE, Cure Leukaemia Co-Founder, commented:
“The continued commitment from Cure Leukaemia is a game-changer for blood cancer research in the UK. This funding provides the vital infrastructure required to open more world-first trials, which directly translates into better outcomes and more hope for patients who have often exhausted all other treatment options.”
The impact of this partnership is already being felt on the global stage. In 2025, findings from five major clinical trials delivered through the TAP and IMPACT trials networks were selected for presentation at the prestigious American Society of Haematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, highlighting the UK’s leading role in international haematology research.
Paul Sherrington, Chief Executive at ACT, added:
“Clinical research requires more than just laboratories and clinics; it requires a world-class operational team. This extension allows us to plan with confidence, ensuring we can recruit and retain the very best research nurses and trials network teams. Their expertise is what ensures these complex trials are delivered safely and efficiently in the UK for the benefit of patients here and around the world.”
Over the next three years, this funding is projected to support the execution of at least seven new world-leading, transformative blood cancer clinical trials. This builds on the strong momentum of trials already delivered through the TAP and IMPACT networks and three which we have recently opened.
James McLaughlin, CEO of Cure Leukaemia, said:
“We are incredibly proud to extend our support for ACT for a further three years. This is only possible thanks to the tireless efforts of our supporters and fundraisers across the country. Their dedication allows us to provide the sustained investment that clinical teams need to innovate”
While progress is being made everyday, there is still so much work to be done for the thousands of families affected by blood cancer. Cure Leukaemia’s mission remains clear: to fund the people and the trials that will find a cure as quickly as possible.