Endometriosis study begins recruitment in UK hospitals
Brian Attwood | May 28, 2026 | News story | Clinical Research, Recruitment | Cyclana Bio, endometriosis
Cyclana Bio has recruited the first patients into a 500-participant observational study investigating the biological mechanisms behind endometriosis, following approval from the Health Research Authority (HRA) and Research Ethics Committee (REC).
The PEMP (Predicting Endometriosis Mechanisms and Populations) study is being conducted through Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust. Recruitment has started at Peterborough City Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge.
Endometriosis affects around one in ten women but remains difficult to diagnose and treat, with limited therapeutic options available. The study aims to improve understanding of the condition by analysing tissue samples and menstrual fluid donated by participants.
Cyclana Bio said the data collected will be used to develop three-dimensional laboratory models designed to better reflect the biology of the disease. Researchers hope the work will help identify potential therapeutic targets and improve patient stratification.
The company is also investigating whether endometriosis is driven by a common underlying mechanism or whether more personalised treatment approaches may be required.
Dr Léa Wenger, Chief Executive and Co-Founder of Cyclana Bio, said the study represented “a promising alternative approach in drug discovery” focused on identifying shared disease mechanisms between patients.
“Our tissue-first methodology represents a promising alternative approach in drug discovery, allowing us to reveal shared underlying mechanisms between patients, closing the gap on drug discovery programmes focusing on intracellular mechanisms that have failed to generate optimal treatments,” she added.
The study follows Cyclana Bio’s £5m pre-seed funding round completed last year. The company said future funding could support expansion of the research into additional inflammatory diseases involving tissue-level mechanisms.
Related Content
Gesynta Pharma doses first patient in endometriosis phase 2 trial
Gesynta Pharma has dosed the first patient in its phase 2 clinical proof-of-concept trial of …
EndoCyclic New Drug application approved by US FDA for endometriosis treatment
EndoCyclic Therapeutics’ Investigational New Drug (IND) application for its lead programme, ENDO-205, has been approved …
Universal Quantum partners with Open Quantum Institute to tackle endometriosis with new technology
Based in Brighton, UK, Universal Quantum has joined the Open Quantum Institute (OQI) to explore …
