13 August 2026 – Panthera has opened its latest clinical trial clinic at Keele University, further strengthening its growing clinical research network across the UK and Europe.
Panthera, which is the UK’s largest independent Site Management Organisation (SMO), recruits patients and runs clinical trials on behalf of pharmaceutical companies. The opening of the Keele site brings Panthera’s network to 11 sites, including seven in the UK and, following its recent acquisition, four in Hungary.
The new Keele clinic is located at Innovation Centre 7 within Keele University Science & Innovation Park. It features bespoke clinical rooms and laboratory facilities. The clinic is already recruiting patients and will begin running clinical studies soon.
Panthera’s partnership with Keele strengthens and expands the University’s established health and life sciences cluster, reinforcing its position as a hub for innovation and clinical research. Its location within Keele University Science & Innovation Park also creates significant opportunities for collaboration, helping to support research, innovation and skills development across the UK life sciences sector.
The new site will offer the local community, as well as Keele staff, students and on-site partners, the opportunity to participate in clinical research and contribute to the development of new treatments and healthcare advances. The partnership also has the potential to grow beyond tenancy, creating opportunities for deeper collaboration, including clinical research partnerships, student placements, graduate career pathways and wider engagement with the Keele community.
Stuart Young, CEO of Panthera, commented:
“We are delighted to open our new clinical research site at Keele University. Being located within a leading university science and innovation environment provides exciting opportunities for collaboration, innovation and future growth, while also helping us connect more closely with local communities.
“This new facility will give more people across Staffordshire and the wider region the opportunity to participate in clinical trials and gain early access to innovative treatments for a range of health conditions before they become widely available through the NHS.”
Ann Pittard, Director of Engagement and Partnerships at Keele University, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Panthera to Keele University Science & Innovation Park. Panthera’s arrival further strengthens our established health and life sciences community and reinforces Keele’s position as a centre for innovation and for collaboration between academia, industry, and the NHS.
“Importantly, this partnership will improve access to clinical trials and cutting-edge healthcare research for people across Staffordshire and beyond, while also creating opportunities for our students, graduates and the wider regional community.”
Keele University Science & Innovation Park is recognised as a leading hub for innovation, research and collaboration between academia and industry. The new Panthera site will support the continued growth of life sciences and clinical research activity in the region, while strengthening access to clinical trials for local communities.
ABOUT PANTHERA
- Panthera is the UK’s largest independent Site Management Organisation (SMO), specialising in patient recruitment and the delivery of clinical trials through a network of seven dedicated research clinics across the UK and expanding into Europe.
- Working in partnership with leading CROs and pharmaceutical companies, Panthera provides rapid, reliable access to millions of potential participants across the UK and Europe, enabling fast and efficient patient recruitment.
- Founded by Dr Ian Smith MBE, a pioneer of the SMO model, Panthera builds on a proven approach to running high-quality clinical trials in dedicated research settings and has helped redefine clinical trial delivery in the UK.
- Recognised for speed, quality and reliability, Panthera helps sponsors accelerate study timelines and streamline the path to commercialisation.
- For more information about Panthera Biopartners, visit panthera-bio.com
