RESEARCH & INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
Trigeminal Neuralgia Research Partnerships
Work with TNFP to involve people affected by trigeminal neuralgia in research — from setting priorities and designing studies to sharing findings clearly.
TNFP – The Facial Pain Charity welcomes enquiries from universities, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, research teams and funders worldwide. Our helpline, Regional Support Groups and established online outreach give us insight into the questions people living with trigeminal neuralgia want research to answer.
Work with TNFP
Patient involvement
Help focus research on questions that matter.
Funded project work
Agree purposeful, properly resourced collaboration.
International enquiries
Discuss projects with a clear potential patient benefit.
Over 20 years
Supporting people affected by trigeminal neuralgia and facial pain.
Established support
Our helpline and Regional Support Groups connect us with patient experiences and priorities.
250,000+ video views
The 2026 Show TN 3 Fingers campaign film, as reported by TNA UK. Explore the campaign →
What TNFP contributes
TNFP brings patient insight, established support networks and a record of research engagement to potential partnerships. We aim to improve care today and advance scientific investigation into trigeminal neuralgia, including research towards prevention and cures.
Unmet patient needs
Our support networks and patient survey evidence help identify unmet needs. The documented Libra engagement shows that patients have also chosen to express interest in research. Participation is always voluntary.
Meaningful involvement
We can explore patient input into research priorities, study design and information materials, and share suitable research invitations through appropriate channels. Taking part is always a personal, voluntary decision.
Clear communication
Explore ways to explain studies and findings accurately and accessibly, without promoting unproven treatments.
A partnership in practice: the Libra Study
TNA UK supported patient engagement around the Libra Study (NCT05217628), a Noema Pharma-sponsored clinical trial investigating basimglurant for trigeminal neuralgia.
We organised a London training session for helpline volunteers and Regional Support Group leaders, brought clinical expertise into those briefings, and supported study communications and a patient webinar. The work helped people hear about the research and understand where to seek official study information.
Our role was patient communication and engagement. The sponsor and research teams remained responsible for recruitment, eligibility, consent, clinical care and participant safety.
Research engagement
400+
Expressions of interest reported during the Libra engagement.
320+
Attendees at the related patient webinar, according to TNA UK’s published figures.
These figures describe engagement, not clinical-trial enrolment or treatment outcomes.
Who we work with
From early research ideas to funded programmes, we welcome partners who are prepared to listen to patients and define a meaningful role for their involvement.
Partnerships should move research closer to what patients need.
We can discuss patient involvement from the earliest stages of a project, with clear responsibilities, appropriate funding and transparent safeguards.
Universities and academic researchers
Patient involvement in research priorities, grant development, study materials, outcomes and dissemination.
Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
Independently governed patient input into the development and evaluation of treatments and research communication.
Clinical and international institutions
Collaboration on diagnosis, care pathways, professional education and work with a clear benefit for patients.
Evidence grounded in lived experience
Our 2026 TN patient survey received more than 1,130 responses. The separate 2024–25 Patient Experience Survey included 567 consenting respondents. Both help us identify patient-reported needs; neither establishes clinical treatment outcomes or national prevalence.
Explore the original patient evidence, its limitations and our wider research engagement in one place.
Research partnerships and funding
We welcome discussions about funded patient involvement, collaborative grant applications and projects addressing evidenced patient needs. Depending on a project’s purpose, ethical approvals and our capacity, this could include patient-priority workshops; reviewing study information; input into questionnaires and outcomes such as treatment burden, daily function and quality of life; briefings for relevant volunteers; research webinars; or clear explanations of findings. The role, safeguards, funding and evaluation would be agreed before work begins.
01 · Share your proposal
Tell us the research question, project stage, expected benefit and patient role you envisage.
02 · Agree the contribution
Discuss what patients can influence, governance arrangements and the charity’s capacity.
03 · Scope the funding
Agree deliverables, staff time, patient contributor costs, accessibility and evaluation.
TNFP does not sell patient data, guarantee recruitment or endorse medicines in exchange for funding. Any partnership must protect patient choice, scientific integrity and charity independence.
Read the supporting research
For scientific developments and trials, visit the Research Hub. For our own published patient evidence and engagement work, visit Research & Patient Voice.
Research Hub
Current trigeminal neuralgia studies, clinical trials and emerging evidence.
Research & Patient Voice
Patient surveys, research engagement and what our community has told us.
Start a research partnership conversation
To request a discussion with our Chief Executive, please use the charity’s contact form. Begin your message with ‘For the Chief Executive Officer – Research Partnership’ and include your organisation, proposal, the contribution sought from TNFP and whether project funding is available.
Aneeta Prem MBE
Chief Executive Officer
TNFP – The Facial Pain Charity
Trigeminal Neuralgia Association UK
Registered charity in England and Wales: 1155001. Support TNFP’s patient evidence, support and research engagement through a donation →