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AscensionQ
Who we are

Built by trial doctors.
Trusted in research since 2020.

AQ Trials is a UK clinical research software company, founded in 2017 and built by Phase 1 trial doctors. It offers AQ Platform: nine connected modules that hold a study’s operations, site file, pharmacy accountability, quality system and delegation log on one record.

150+Studies
300+Users
6 yearsIn daily use
Our origin

Created to end the fragmentation of clinical research workflows.

Our purpose

AQ Platform was created to address the fragmentation of clinical research workflows across separate systems.

We bring those workflows together to simplify how research is managed and provide a cohesive experience tailored to each organisation’s processes, people and priorities.

This commitment to organisational needs drives our continued development. We build, adapt and upgrade the platform as those needs evolve, strengthening connections between workflows and simplifying everyday tasks. Our direction includes advancing the use of AI to reduce repetitive work, make study information more useful and support informed decisions throughout the research lifecycle.

Timeline
2017FoundedBy Phase 1 trial doctors, to bring site functions onto one record
2020Funded and live in the NHSPre-seed round led by Jenson Funding Partners; in daily NHS use since 2020
2026Nine modules, one record150+ studies and a quality system serving 300+ people

Built by researchers, for researchers.

Phase 1 trial doctors with more than 20 years in regulated clinical research, who have been monitored and inspected themselves.

What we offer

All major clinical research software in a centralised platform.

AQ Trials offers AQ Platform, clinical research software in nine modules. Each can be deployed independently, and all share a single study record. Organisations may begin with one and introduce others as required.

AscensionQ
ModuleAQ CTMS

Visit 3 scheduled for participant P-042

The visit, its window and the staff assigned are recorded once and read by every other module.

About AQ CTMS
Visit diary · this week42 visits
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
Recruitment78 / 100
ModuleAQ CTMS

Visit 3 scheduled for participant P-042

The visit, its window and the staff assigned are recorded once and read by every other module.

About AQ CTMS
Visit diary · this week42 visits
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
Recruitment78 / 100
ModuleAQ eTMF

Protocol v4.0 filed to the trial master file

Filed against the DIA reference model, with its approval and distribution traceable.

About AQ eTMF
DIA reference model
01 Trial management100%
02 Central trial documents92%
03 Regulatory88%
04 IRB / IEC96%
ModuleAQ eISF

Consent form v3 marked current at Site A

The superseded version is withdrawn, so staff can only use the version in force.

About AQ eISF
Protocol v4.0Owner: coordinatorFiled
Consent v3Owner: PI · currentFiled
CV · research nurseOwner: nurse · due 14 OctDue
GCP certificate · Dr ReidOwner: PIMissing
ModuleAQ Pharmacy

Kit K-0118 dispensed against the approved prescription

Dispensing is recorded against the participant, the visit and the kit, with the blind intact.

About AQ Pharmacy
7Available
2On hold
1Expiring
0Expired
Pharmacy Fridge 12 to 8 °C · last reading 08:004.1 °C
Receipt SH-4471Quarantine until release approvedGated
ModuleAQ QMS

SOP-07 v3 effective, training assigned

The controlled procedure and the training record live beside the work they govern.

About AQ QMS
Controlled documentVersionStatus
SOP-07 IMP receiptv3Effective
SOP-12 Consentv5Effective
SOP-04 Delegationv2In review
Training · SOP-07 v312 staff assigned9 / 12
ModuleAQ CAPA

Deviation DEV-031 raised from a temperature excursion

The deviation links back to the kit, the unit and the reading that caused it.

About AQ CAPA
DEV-031 · temperature excursion
Raised
Investigate
Root cause
Action
Verify
Assigned · M. CarterDue 21 Oct 2026Open
ModuleAQ Digital DoA

Nurse delegated to consent, from 1 Oct 2026

Delegation is signed before the task, with the training evidence that supports it.

About AQ Digital DoA
StaffConsentDispenseSign
Dr Reid · PI
J. Patel · nurse
M. Carter · pharmacist
Signed by PI before taskGCP certificate attachedActive
ModuleAQ Labs

Sample S-2291 collected at Visit 3

The sample follows the participant and the visit from collection to reconciliation.

About AQ Labs
Sample S-2291 · plasma
Collected
Stored −80 °C
In transit
Reconciled
P-042 · Visit 3Linked to the participant recordLinked
ModuleAQ eSource

Vitals worksheet v2 published

AQ eSource holds source forms designed on an A4 canvas and released with a recorded reason.

About AQ eSource
Source form · Vitals worksheet
Version 2Published
ReasonAmendment 3
Version 1Read-only
Released by R. PatelIdentity confirmed at publicationRecorded

One record means the evidence already exists on the day an inspector asks for it.

Why AQ

The ten reasons research teams choose AQ Platform.

They fall under three headings: platform, adoption and assurance.

Study recordClinician-defined
PrescriptionPhysician
Pharmacist checkAgainst protocol
DispenseKit to participant
Defined by trial doctorsGCP-aligned
20+ years of regulated clinical research
Study recordClinician-defined
PrescriptionPhysician
Pharmacist checkAgainst protocol
DispenseKit to participant
Defined by trial doctorsGCP-aligned
20+ years of regulated clinical research
One recordConnected
CTMSeISFPharmacyQMS
Each module independent, all on one platform
Audit trailContinuous
OpenedR. Okafor · 09:02Logged
SubmittedR. Okafor · 09:11Logged
Approved and lockedM. Carter · 09:20Locked
Inspection-ready at the point of work
ReplacedSuperseded
Tracker spreadsheetsSharePoint site filesApprovals by email
AQ PlatformOne governed record
One governed record in their place
OnboardingGuided
ProcurementGo-live
Week 1Configuration
Week 2Training
LiveFirst module
Start with the highest-priority module
IntegrationsRetained
EDGEIntegrated
REDCapAlongside
AQ PlatformCurrent systems stay
Current arrangements remain in place
ProcurementEstablished
G-Cloud listingCrown Commercial Service frameworkListed
AQ CTMSAQ eISFAQ PharmacyAQ QMS
Purchased and deployed module by module
A route NHS trusts already know
AssuranceEvidenced
NHS DSPTStandards Met 2026
Cyber EssentialsCertified
HostingUnited Kingdom
ValidationEvery release
Every release validated
GovernanceGoverned
v3.1ReleaseGCP
v3.2ReleaseUK GDPR
v3.3ReleaseICH E6(R3)
Customer requirements inform the roadmap
MHRA expectations inform each release
In useDemonstrated
150+Studies
300+People
6 yrsDaily use
NHS teams since 2020
Who we serve

Designed for hospital sites, CROs, sponsors, universities and SMOs.

Hospitals and NHS research sites.

The site file, delegation, recruitment, pharmacy and quality on one inspection-ready record.

AQ for NHS and hospital research
Site A · Study 001Inspection-ready
Site file214 / 214 filed
DelegationAll signed before task
Pharmacy7 kits · 0 on hold
Training9 / 12 current
Readiness96%

Hospitals and NHS research sites.

The site file, delegation, recruitment, pharmacy and quality on one inspection-ready record.

AQ for NHS and hospital research
Site A · Study 001Inspection-ready
Site file214 / 214 filed
DelegationAll signed before task
Pharmacy7 kits · 0 on hold
Training9 / 12 current
Readiness96%

Contract research organisations.

Study start-up, site delivery, sponsor-file work and quality follow-through in one place.

AQ for CROs
Study 014 · 6 sitesSponsor view
SiteEnrolledStatus
Liverpool18 / 20Active
Royal Free14 / 20Active
Surrey6 / 20Start-up
Alder Hey0 / 15Selected
Open CAPA across sites2 open

Sponsors.

Essential trial files, controlled procedures and corrective actions under review.

AQ for sponsors
Oversight · Study 001Remote review
Essential documents
Protocolv4.0Current
Investigator brochurev7Current
Consent formv3Under review
3Corrective actions open
100%Accountability reviewed remotely

Universities and research institutes.

Files, site preparation, responsibilities and quality actions set up the same way for every study.

AQ for academic research
New study set-upSame template every time
Site file structure applied
Responsibilities delegated
Sample plan created
Quality actions linked
First visit scheduled
4 / 5Set-up steps complete
1 dayFrom template to first visit

Site management organisations.

Central oversight of delivery, documentation and quality across every site.

AQ for SMOs
Network · 5 sitesCentral oversight
SiteStudiesFileStatus
Site A · Liverpool12100%Ready
Site B · Royal Free998%Ready
Site C · Surrey791%2 due
Site D · Alder Hey6100%Ready
Site E · Warrington496%Ready
One quality system across the network38 studies · SOPs and training shared by every siteLive
Our people

Three disciplines behind AQ Platform: clinical, engineering and validation.

AQ Trials is based in London. An international team of clinicians, engineers and quality and validation specialists develops AQ Platform, from the UK and overseas.

LondonInternational teamThree disciplines, one platform
01

Clinicians.

Define each workflow in line with Good Clinical Practice, from delegation and visit scheduling to pharmacy accountability.

GCP-aligned workflowsModule requirementsSite practice review
02

Engineers.

Develop and operate the nine modules on one central platform, with responsibility for its security and availability.

Nine modules, one recordUK hosting and securityRelease engineering
03

Quality and validation.

Verify every release before deployment and maintain the IQ/OQ/PQ documentation that supports it.

Release verificationIQ / OQ / PQ documentationRegulatory alignment
Standards and assurance

Built for MHRA GCP inspection, assured for the NHS.

The MHRA inspects trials and the organisations that run them. It does not approve or certify software. AQ Platform is built for MHRA GCP inspection: every action carries a named author, a time and a change history, and each release is validated.

StandardAQ statusEvidence
NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit
MetStandards Met (2026)
Listed on the DSPT register
Cyber Essentials
CertifiedCertified
Certificate available on request
GxP validation
ValidatedValidated with every release, with IQ/OQ/PQ documentation
Validation documents available on request
21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11
AssessedAssessment completed
Available on request
UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018
UK-hostedUK-hosted. Registered with the ICO
ICO register entry
ICH E6(R3) and the UK Clinical Trials Regulations in force from 28 April 2026
Built inThe platform is built around both
Described on each module page
Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC)
In preparationSubmission in preparation
Not yet available

The NHS assurance pack is available on request.

Company details

A registered UK company with verifiable public filings.

Ascension-Q LtdTrading as AQ Trials · maker of AQ Platform Active · Companies House
Company number10833152
ICO registrationZB324099
Founded2017
JurisdictionEngland and Wales
ProductAQ Platform
Data hostingUnited Kingdom
Registered office167-169 Great Portland Street, 5th Floor, London, W1W 5PF
Follow AQ Trials
Frequently asked questions

Answers to the questions buyers raise most often.

AQ Trials is a UK clinical research software company founded in 2017. It secured funding in 2020 and has been in use across the NHS since then. It offers AQ Platform, nine connected modules that hold a study’s operations, site file, pharmacy accountability, quality system and delegation log on one record.

AQ Trials was founded in 2017 by Ash Mahmud. Phase 1 trial doctors with more than 20 years in regulated clinical research built AQ Platform, and an international team of clinicians, engineers and quality and validation specialists are constantly evolving it today. The company is backed by Jenson Funding Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm that led its pre-seed round.

The MHRA does not approve or certify software, so no product is “MHRA compliant”. AQ Platform is built for MHRA GCP inspection: every action is attributed, timed and audit-trailed, and each release is validated.

AQ Platform holds the evidence an inspector requests within the record a team already uses: who was delegated, who was trained, which document version was current, and what changed. This supports readiness, although the outcome of an inspection still depends on the conduct of the trial.

AQ Platform and its data are hosted in the UK. AQ holds NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit status of Standards Met (2026) and Cyber Essentials certification.

AQ Trials serves a broad range of clinical research teams, including NHS trusts, hospitals, sponsors, universities, and contract research and site management organisations. Each operates on a single study record, whether at one location or across a multi-centre network. AQ Platform has been in daily use since 2020.

The first step is a demonstration prepared around your own protocol structure and site set-up. Most teams then begin with one module and introduce others later.

Take control

Request a live AQ Platform
demonstration.

The session is prepared around the study details you provide. Start with one module, where the need is greatest, and add others when you need them: each joins the same study record.

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AQUsed only to arrange your demo. No spam, no third parties.REPLY WITHIN ONE WORKING DAY
01The modules that match your study operations
02A real workflow, end to end, with the audit trail
03Onboarding, configuration and your timeline
21 CFR PART 11ICH-GCPDSPTCYBER ESSENTIALSG-CLOUD
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