UK medical device testing hits record high as MHRA backs growth in brain and AI technology

UK patients could be among the first in the world to benefit from breakthrough medical devices, as clinical investigations reach their highest level on record in 2025.

New figures from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) show a 17 per cent rise in approved clinical investigations compared with last year, as companies increasingly choose Great Britain to test cutting-edge health technologies. At the same time, the MHRA is rolling out new measures to back innovation and remove barriers for smaller companies, including a fee waiver pilot, early market access to promising devices, and enhanced support for high-impact technologies.

AI-powered medical devices are also surging, including tools that scan medical images to spot disease earlier, guide treatment decisions and personalise care. New studies include digital tools that adjust treatment in real time, such as an app to help people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease manage their condition, while giving clinicians better information to personalise treatment. Studies in advanced eye technologies have also risen, as companies test new ways to protect vision and restore sight.

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Source: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, 19 February 2026