16 September 2026
This Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness week, we are marking 25 years since the launch of the BSR Biologics Register for Rheumatoid Arthritis (BSRBR-RA). Established in 2001 to monitor the safety of new biologic treatments, it has grown into one of the world's leading sources of real-world rheumatology evidence. Managed by an expert team at the University of Manchester, the BSRBR-RA has helped shape understanding of rheumatoid arthritis treatments for a quarter of a century. Read the 25 Year anniversary report here.
The BSRBR-RA has recruited almost 35,000 patients and recorded more than 64,000 treatment courses. What started as a post-marketing safety study has become one of the world's leading rheumatology research resources. With more than 110 peer-reviewed publications (read the latest publication here) the register has transformed routine clinical data into evidence that informs guidelines, NICE appraisals, regulatory decisions and everyday clinical practice, helping improve outcomes for patients across the UK and beyond.
Behind every analysis, publication and breakthrough are the people who have made the programme possible. Thousands of patients have generously contributed their experiences, while NHS clinicians, research nurses, allied health professionals and research teams across the UK have made the registers a success. Special thanks goes to the University of Manchester registers team, including Professor Kimme Hyrich and Dr Kath Watson, who have been part of the BSRBR-RA journey since its inceptions and helped build it into the globally respected resource it is today.
The BSR Registers programme extends beyond rheumatoid arthritis, with studies covering juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), psoriatic arthritis (BSR-PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (BSRBR-AS). Together, these registers provide valuable real-world insights into treatment outcomes across a range of rheumatic diseases. Delivered by expert research teams at the University of Manchester and the University of Aberdeen, they continue to generate evidence that supports clinicians, informs research and improves care for patients across the UK.
To mark this milestone, we've produced a special 25 Years of BSRBR-RA Celebration Report, highlighting the history of the register, key achievements, landmark publications and the people who have helped make it such a success. Read the full report on our website.
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Whether you're a clinician, researcher, patient or partner organisation, we'd love to hear from you.
If you'd like to learn more about the registers, discuss research ideas or find out how to get involved, get in touch with the BSR Registers teams.