The Prix Galien, considered the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in biopharmaceutical research, celebrates breakthrough innovations that progress our understanding in diagnosing, treating, and curing disease. The Best Public Sector Innovation award specifically recognises outstanding innovations in healthcare developed within or significantly supported by the public sector, spotlighting contributions that have profoundly impacted human health. Nominations were assessed on criteria of originality, clinical utility, knowledge contribution, impact, and independence from market factors.
The PRINCIPLE and PANORAMIC teams were honoured for their rapid implementation of adaptive platform trials, which significantly accelerated the evaluation of potential treatments for COVID-19 in community settings.
The awards were held in the evening of The Galien Forum at the Natural History Museum in London. Now in its third year, the forum is part of the Prix Galien UK’s annual celebration of excellence in the science of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, medical technologies and public health.
Professor Chris Butler, Professor of Primary Care at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences and co-Chief Investigator of the PRINCIPLE and PANORAMIC trials, said: ‘We are thrilled to receive this prestigious award, which is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. The PRINCIPLE and PANORAMIC trials have demonstrated the power of collaborative research in generating crucial evidence to inform patient care during a global health crisis.’
Watch Professor Butler’s acceptance speech to hear more about the work and impact of both trials:
Launched in March 2020, the PRINCIPLE trial evaluated a range of existing, available medicines that could potentially be repurposed to treat COVID-19 in older people and those with underlying health conditions who are at higher risk of complications. The trial enrolled more than 11,700 participants across the UK, making it one of the world's largest trials of community-based COVID-19 treatments. The findings from PRINICPLE directly led to changes in treatment guidelines, potentially saving countless lives.
The PANORAMIC trial, launched in December 2021, was similar to PRINCIPLE in design but was developed to assess the effectiveness of novel antiviral treatments in reducing the severity of COVID-19 symptoms and preventing hospitalisations. The trial recruited more than 29,000 participants, providing vital data to guide the use of these treatments in real-world settings.
Professor Ly-Mee Yu, Professor of Clinical Trials and Biostatistics at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences and Co-Director the Primary Care Clinical Trials Unit, said: ’The PRINCIPLE and PANORAMIC trials have not only identified effective treatments for COVID-19 but have also showcased the agility and responsiveness of our research infrastructure. These platform and decentralised trial design serves as a model for rapidly evaluating interventions during future pandemics or public health emergencies.’
The pioneering work of both the PRINCIPLE and PANORAMIC trials made a significant impact on the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the Best Public Sector Innovation award, The Galien Foundation has recognised the unprecedented achievements of the teams behind the trials which will undoubtedly shape the future of clinical research and patient care.