MRA representation at The Cancer Drug Development Forum
Representatives from Medical Research Agencies discussed the development potential and needs for clinical trials in Central and Eastern Europe at The Cancer Drug Development Forum.
With the rapidly evolving and changing clinical trial market in Central and Eastern Europe, the workshop at The Cancer Drug Development Forum brought together international stakeholders from regulatory agencies, the pharmaceutical industry, academia and patient advocacy groups for open discussions on the needs and opportunities for the development of the biotechnology sector in Central and Eastern Europe. Participants analyzed the current state of the market, the challenges facing our region, and identified common steps to take to increase innovation in the region.
The first day of the CDDF workshop on clinical trials in CEE brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to facilitate dialogue and collaboration. Participants on the panel on “Improving Clinical Trials in CEE” included Dr. n. pharm. Karolina Nowak - Director of the Biotechnology Innovation and Development Division at the Medical Research Agency. Among the panelists' key recommendations and conclusions, were the need for simplification of clinical trials, greater dialogue between sponsors and investigators at sites, reduction of administrative tasks, and the creation of new communication tools with all stakeholders to ensure cooperation and better management of tasks in ongoing research projects.
The Medical Research Agency is currently a leader in this field in our region, thanks in part to the creation of partnerships with academic centers and industry to support clinical research. In addition, the establishment of a network of clinical research centers is both helpful in sharing experiences and encouraging cooperation and best practices between researchers, the Agency and research sponsors.
- The Agency has been very active in supporting the development of clinical trials in Poland in a multifaceted manner-financially, organizationally as well as substantively.
The 23 certs created to support clinical trials as well as the possibility of co-financing multi-center trials have met with great interest from European experts representing regulators, patient organizations, researchers and sponsors,” emphasizes Dr. n. pharm.Karolina Nowak - Director of the Biotechnology Innovation and Development Division at the Medical Research Agency.
During the second day of The Cancer Drug Development Forum workshop, experts will discuss innovative concepts applied in the CEE region using Poland as an example, opportunities to increase the adoption of (global) innovative cancer research and clinical trials, or regulations to improve the conduct of clinical trials in the CEE region.
Speakers included:Speakers Piotr Rutkowski (Polish Oncology Society, Chairman of the Council of Medical Research Agencies), Grzegorz S. Nowakowski (Mayo Clinic), Olga Kholmanskikh (Fagg-afmps), Teodora Kolarova (International Neuroendocrine Cancer Alliance), Susan Bhatti (Merck Healthcare)