Tayside team recruit first European trial participant into globally-active Phase 2 clinical trial
The University of Dundee and NHS Tayside have recruited the first trial participant in Europe into a global Phase 2 clinical trial looking at the effectiveness of a potential new treatment for individuals living with the devastating lung disease, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
Sponsored by Contineum Therapeutics Inc, the PROPEL-IPF clinical trial will evaluate an investigational drug candidate called PIPE-791 in participants with IPF.
IPF is a chronic, progressive lung disease characterised by unexplained scarring of the lung tissue which makes breathing increasingly difficult and reduces quality of life. IPF profoundly impacts patients and their families, and is thought to affect around 30,000 across the UK and some three million worldwide, typically adults over the age of 50.
The Phase 2 trial aims to find out if PIPE-791, which blocks lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPAR1), can prevent loss of lung function in IPF, relative to placebo, over a six-month period. The trial is now active at sites that span countries across the globe.
The first trial participant in Europe was randomised by the research team based at the Gannochy Research Suite at Perth Royal Infirmary. This forms part of the NHS Tayside Commercial Delivery Centre (CRDC), one of four CRDCs set up across Scotland to work with industry partners to accelerate commercial trials and expand patient access to cutting-edge medical treatments.
Dr Mark Spears, Consultant in Respiratory Medicine at Perth Royal Infirmary and Ninewells Hospital, is the Principal Investigator for the trial at Perth Royal Infirmary.
Dr Spears said: “I am immensely proud that we have achieved these recruitment milestones both nationally and internationally, enabling Scotland’s IPF patients to contribute to the development of potentially new therapies which could address the limitations of current treatments.”
The full trial duration is up to 36 weeks including screening, a treatment period of 26 weeks, and follow-up.
Participants must be 40 years of age or older and have had a diagnosis of IPF within seven years prior to screening.
The trial aims to enrol over 300 participants into one of its three treatment arms across a large number of trial sites globally.
The milestones achieved in Perth underline Scotland’s ability to work collaboratively and efficiently with industry research and development partners. The team enrolled their first participant in just 34 days — nearly three times faster than the 90-day site set up and activation target that forms part of the UK’s overarching 150-day commercial clinical trial set-up metric.
The 150-day target was set in October 2025 as part of the Life Sciences Sector Plan and is designed to cut unnecessary delays in the set-up of clinical trials with the goal of attracting more investment and opportunities, improving health outcomes, and accelerating the development of future medicines and therapies.
Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak, Chief Scientist (Health) at Scottish Government commented: “Being the first site in Europe to randomise a patient to this trial is a huge credit to the team, reflecting the commitment and expertise of our clinical research community.
“Broadening trial access and offering more patients the opportunity to take part in research is vital in areas where treatment options are limited.
“It is another impactful demonstration of Scotland’s ability to efficiently deliver high-quality, innovative clinical trials and is part of the valuable work of our Commercial Research Delivery Centres.”
The NHS Tayside CRDC is one of four regional hubs set up across Scotland last year and operates from Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, and the Gannochy Research Suite in Perth Royal Infirmary.
Together, the four hubs in Scotland form part of the CRDC UK Network, which brings together 35 centres across primary, secondary and specialist care to strengthen the UK’s position as a global leader in industry-sponsored clinical research. In partnership with the pharmaceutical industry, the Network provides a coordinated UK-wide infrastructure for fast, reliable and consistent trial delivery at scale.
It offers industry access to high-performing research sites and enables inclusive, decentralised trials, allowing more people from more communities across the NHS to take part in research.
Find out more
- Read more about Scotland’s Commercial Research Delivery Centres (CRDCs)
- Register for SHARE to take part in future research
- Find out more about IPF and other IPF studies via Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis & Be Part of Research
Publication date: 28th October 2026
