Background

The UK Dementia Trials Network is a National Institute for Health and Care Research funded project to support a coordinated, tiered network of 3 pilot sites, 8 member sites and 30 affiliate sites across the country to perform clinical trials for dementia. This includes a specialised cohort of Phase Ib-ready sites and a broader cohort capable of delivering Phase II trials, creating a robust national infrastructure.

Centrally coordinated through UCL/UCLH, the UKDTN operates as a federated model designed to evolve in response to the needs of individual sites, industry partners, and the wider research ecosystem. The UKDTN provides a real-time database to track site capacity and capability, enabling efficient trial placement and streamlined delivery.

To ensure long-term sustainability and excellence, the network embeds a national training framework and dedicated participant support, strengthening workforce development and improving the research experience for people living with dementia.

Based at 8–11 Queen Square, UCL in London, this multidisciplinary team brings together leadership, operations, finance, legal, engagement, and communications expertise, providing the strong central infrastructure needed to drive UKDTN’s mission.

Cath Mummery – Director

Christine Chow – Associate Director

Chris Baker – Finance Manager

Clare Birch – Executive Assistant

Igor Camargo Fontana – Engagement and Communications Lead

Jennifer Child – Clinical Operations Manager

Otu Ukoyen – Legal Adviser

Rosie Baverstock-West – Coordinating Centre Manager

Sarah Kate Kenny – Participant Support Adviser

Tara Comber – NIHR Dementia Translational Research Collaboration (D-TRC) Manager

Adam Foster – NIHR Dementia Translational Research Collaboration (D-TRC) Manager (Maternity Cover)

Laura Rooney – Alzheimer’s Society/UKDTN Lead Research Nurse (ex-officio member)

Our Mission

UKDTN aims to address inefficiencies and fragmentation in UK clinical trial delivery by creating a coordinated, scalable national network

The UK has world-class expertise in dementia research and huge potential in the diversity of the population and the existing infrastructure, but there have been challenges in the conduct of clinical trials – a complex ecosystem, insufficient workforce capacity, slow trial set up processes and inequitable patient access to trials. In this context, UKDTN exists to address these challenges by:

Accelerating clinical trial set-up and delivery by reducing timelines, administrative friction, and duplicated effort across sites.
Simplifying costing and contracting through standardised, centralised processes.
Enabling effective, centralised communication between sponsors, sites, and operational groups.
Maintaining a real-time national view of trial capacity and capability to place trials strategically and efficiently.
Supporting high-quality delivery of complex and innovative trials, including advanced modalities such as the Lilly gene-silencing study.
Improving equitable access to research for patients across the UK.
Building a commercially self-sustaining network that partners with industry and positions the UK as a go-to place for early phase dementia trials.

We’re also laying the groundwork for long-term impact by:

Developing future research leaders through dedicated training
Launching the UKDTN Clinical Trial Fellowships, awarding outstanding applicants across the UK, building capacity, retaining skilled staff, and nurturing the next generation of leaders in dementia research delivery.
Embedding the Alzheimer’s Society research nurse network to support participants throughout their research journey
Enhance access to clinical trials for all ensuring that everyone, regardless of who they are or where they live, has the chance to learn about and take part in research opportunities.

This early momentum is setting the foundation for a stronger, more connected, and more effective dementia trials ecosystem across the UK.

Developing future research leaders through dedicated training.

Launching the UKDTN Clinical Trial Fellowships, awarding outstanding applicants across the UK, building capacity, retaining skilled staff, and nurturing the next generation of leaders in dementia research delivery.

Embedding the Alzheimer’s Society research nurse network to support participants throughout their research journey.

Enhance access to clinical trials for all ensuring that everyone, regardless of who they are or where they live, has the chance to learn about and take part in research opportunities.