How do I find clinical trials in the UK?

Use TrialConnect to search by condition, location, or eligibility. We index over 29,000 UK clinical trials from ClinicalTrials.gov, updated daily. Enter your condition and we show matching trials near you.

Are there paid clinical trials in the UK?

Yes. Healthy volunteers can earn £500–£3,000 for Phase 1 and bioequivalence studies. TrialConnect lists paid research studies at UK research units in London, Leeds, Nottingham, and more.

What conditions have clinical trials available?

TrialConnect covers 41 conditions including breast cancer, lung cancer, diabetes, heart failure, COPD, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Crohn's disease, and many more.

Is TrialConnect free?

Yes. TrialConnect is completely free for patients. We are not affiliated with the NHS or NIHR. Data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.

Am I eligible for a clinical trial?

Each trial has specific eligibility criteria including age, condition, medical history, and current treatments. TrialConnect shows you trials that may match your situation, but only the trial team can confirm eligibility.

Metabolic

Type 2 Diabetes Clinical Trials in the UK

Find clinical trials for type 2 diabetes in the United Kingdom. Explore treatment pathways from lifestyle to advanced therapies.

Search Trials →Explore Pathway

Understanding Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes affects ~4.9 million people in the UK. It occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn't produce enough. While traditionally considered progressive, recent research shows that remission is possible through significant weight loss. Newer medications (GLP-1 receptor agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors) have transformed management.

Modern Treatment Options

First-line: metformin + lifestyle changes. Second-line options are now guided by whether the patient has cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, or obesity. GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide/Ozempic, tirzepatide/Mounjaro) for weight loss and cardiovascular benefit. SGLT2 inhibitors (dapagliflozin, empagliflozin) for heart failure and kidney protection.

Diabetes Remission

The DiRECT trial showed that significant weight loss (15kg+) through intensive diet support can put type 2 diabetes into remission. This is now being offered through NHS England. Bariatric surgery also achieves remission in ~60-80% of patients. Clinical trials are exploring ways to make remission more achievable and sustainable.

Clinical Trial Opportunities

Active UK diabetes trials include: next-generation GLP-1/GIP dual agonists, once-monthly insulin, closed-loop artificial pancreas systems, islet cell transplantation, stem cell-derived beta cells, and diabetes remission maintenance studies. The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme is the largest in the world.