THE Royal Liverpool hospital and the University of Liverpool have taken the lead in several clinical trials to date.

One international study looked at treatments for chronic myeloid leukaemia and compared two drugs, Nilotinib and Imatinib.

The research was published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), and found Nilotinib was a much better treatment after a year’s course.

The Royal was the project’s third biggest recruiter of patients in Europe, after Berlin and Bordeaux, and the biggest in the UK.

At the University’s Biomedical Research Centre, projects have included trials into treatment for diseases from HIV to stomach cancer.

Current drugs given to treat HIV are difficult to take, and at times a much lower concentration gets into the blood than needed.

This can be dangerous because the virus can build up an immunity to the drugs. .Researchers are looking at using other drugs available over the counter to prevent the drug being pushed out, to use in combination with the HIV drugs, including a commonly used water tablet.