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Clinical research to international
Clinical research to international
standards, delivered in Sri Lanka
standards, delivered in Sri Lanka
An academic centre of excellence in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya
An academic centre of excellence in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya
The Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) of the University of Kelaniya designs, conducts and disseminates clinical trials that improve the practice of medicine through evidence. Established in 2005 in collaboration with the Clinical Trial Service Unit of the University of Oxford, the CTU works with communities, clinics, hospitals and healthcare providers rather than in laboratories.
Through our research partnership with RemediumOne, our work is now carried out at more than 22 tertiary care and district general hospitals across the country, in collaboration with more than 150 medical specialists. This makes us one of the largest collaborative clinical research centres in South Asia.
A trusted partner for high-quality clinical trials
A trusted partner for high-quality clinical trials
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Clinical Trials Unit of the University of Kelaniya.
Since 2005, our aim has been simple: to improve the lives of people by producing research evidence of the highest standard, evidence that can change clinical practice and inform policy. We began with a pivotal trial in snakebite. Since then we have worked across oncology, gastroenterology, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, infectious diseases, rare diseases and community-based interventions.
Our principal investigators and their clinical teams are supported by GCP-certified and experienced study coordinators embedded at each selected site, national leads with prior trial experience, and regular oversight from our internal quality assurance team. This model has been the basis for our success in recruitment, retention and data quality across numerous trials.
Our findings have informed World Health Organization guidelines and international treatment guidelines, and our work continues in partnership with some of the best research organisations in the world. I invite you to explore our work, and to consider working with us.
Professor Asita de Silva
Professor Asita de Silva
Director & Senior Professor of Pharmacology , Clinical Trials Unit, University of Kelaniya
How our research makes a difference
How our research makes a difference
PUBLIC HEALTH
Snakebite
Snakebite
Making antivenom treatment safer. A trial of 1,000 patients across three centres tested low-dose adrenaline, promethazine and hydrocortisone to prevent adverse reactions to antivenom. The findings informed WHO guidelines for the management of snakebite.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Blood pressure and stroke
Blood pressure and stroke
A single pill that cuts the risk of a second stroke Our work on low-dose combination therapy, from COBRA-BPS and TRIUMPH to TRIDENT, has changed how high blood pressure is treated worldwide.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Dengue
Dengue
Building the evidence against dengue from vaccine development and vector control to a biomarker for severe dengue and new work on monoclonal antibodies and antivirals.
PUBLIC HEALTH
IgAN
IgAN
Through our participation in global trials of new therapies for IgA nephropathy, we have helped bring rare disease research to Sri Lankan patients. These trials have informed international treatment advances, including the first FDA-approved targeted therapy of its kind for the disease.
Working with leading institutions worldwide
Working with leading institutions worldwide
We conduct pivotal clinical trials in partnership with academic centres of excellence, multilateral organisations and global research networks.
The George Institute for Global Health
The George Institute for Global Health
INDUSTRY SPONSOR
An independent global research institute addressing non-communicable diseases and health inequities through high-impact clinical trials and policy research.
Clinical Trial Service Unit, University of Oxford
Clinical Trial Service Unit, University of Oxford
INDUSTRY SPONSOR
A world-renowned academic center pioneering large-scale randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses to prevent and treat major chronic diseases.
Clinical Trials Unit, Imperial College London
Clinical Trials Unit, Imperial College London
INDUSTRY SPONSOR
A specialized research facility leading the design, execution, and analysis of multi-center clinical trials across diverse medical specialties.
Duke Clinical Research Institute
Duke Clinical Research Institute
INDUSTRY SPONSOR
The world's largest academic clinical research organization, executing global clinical trials to advance cardiovascular care and transform medical practice.
Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School
Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School
INDUSTRY SPONSOR
A strategic academic partnership in Singapore driving translational biomedical research, clinical innovation, and graduate medical education across Asia.
Centre for Chronic Disease Control, New Delhi
Centre for Chronic Disease Control, New Delhi
INDUSTRY SPONSOR
A premier South Asian research organization dedicated to clinical trials, epidemiology, and public health policy interventions for non-communicable diseases.
Recent publications
Recent publications
2026
Three Low-Dose Antihypertensive Agents in a Single Pill after Intracerebral Haemorrhage (TRIDENT)
Three Low-Dose Antihypertensive Agents in a Single Pill after Intracerebral Haemorrhage (TRIDENT)
New England Journal of Medicine 2026; 394(16): 1571–1582
A single pill combining amlodipine, telmisartan and indapamide in low doses reduced the risk of a further stroke in patients who had suffered a brain bleed.
2024
Efficacy and safety of a novel low-dose triple single pill combination of telmisartan, amlodipine and indapamide, compared with dual combinations for treatment of hypertension
Efficacy and safety of a novel low-dose triple single pill combination of telmisartan, amlodipine and indapamide, compared with dual combinations for treatment of hypertension
The Lancet 2024; 404(10462): 1536–1546
An international trial showing that the triple combination controlled blood pressure better than standard dual therapy.
2023
The third Intensive Care Bundle with Blood Pressure Reduction in Acute Cerebral Haemorrhage Trial (INTERACT3)
The third Intensive Care Bundle with Blood Pressure Reduction in Acute Cerebral Haemorrhage Trial (INTERACT3)
The Lancet 2023
A stepped-wedge trial showing that a care bundle improves survival and recovery after brain haemorrhage.
2020
A Community-based Intervention for Managing Hypertension in Rural South Asia (COBRA-BPS)
A Community-based Intervention for Managing Hypertension in Rural South Asia (COBRA-BPS)
New England Journal of Medicine 2020; 382: 717–726
A multi-component, community-delivered programme improved blood pressure control in rural Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
2018
Fixed Low-Dose Triple Combination Antihypertensive Medication vs Usual Care (TRIUMPH)
Fixed Low-Dose Triple Combination Antihypertensive Medication vs Usual Care (TRIUMPH)
Journal of the American Medical Association 2018; 320(6): 566–579
Early use of a triple pill controlled blood pressure better than usual care in Sri Lanka.
2017
Trial of Head Positioning in Acute Stroke (HeadPoST)
Trial of Head Positioning in Acute Stroke (HeadPoST)
New England Journal of Medicine 2017; 376: 2437–2447
A large international trial of a simple, no-cost intervention in acute stroke care.
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