The HRB National Clinical Trials Office (HRB NCTO) International Clinical Trials Day 2024 was held at University College Dublin (UCD) today.
Each May, Clinical Trials are celebrated by acknowledging the start of the first modern Clinical Trial by James Lind, which ultimately identified a cure for scurvy. 300 guests from across the Irish Health Sector, and beyond, gathered at O’Reilly Hall UCD to share vital information, network, and collaborate.
The conference focused on advancing healthcare in Ireland through clinical research. HRB NCTO Director, Dr Robert O’Connor, said, ‘‘This pivotal conference reflects the importance of clinical trials, showcasing the achievements of our sector and the opportunity for all of us to network and grow the sector. We need to support the associated improvements in human health and development for people in Ireland.’’
The Keynote session was chaired by Professor Peter Doran, Director of UCD Clinical Research Centre, UCD School of Medicine. Professor Doran highlighted the importance of knowledge-sharing, stating, ‘‘Patients, their families and wider society, require the clinical research community to work together to address the conditions that effect their daily lives. Through the NCTO partnership we are aligning our resources and expertise to ensure we are making a difference.’’
The Keynote Speaker at the conference was Lord James O'Shaughnessy, who chaired and authored a significant review of the UK clinical trial sector in 2023 and is a former UK Health Minister. Lord O’Shaughnessy gave insight into the key ingredients of a high-performance national clinical trial ecosystem. His presentation was followed by another panel session chaired by Professor Doran, that focused on the vitally important issue of international learnings and how these can be applied to augment clinical research activity in Ireland.
Two further sessions were held in the afternoon focused on ‘Innovation’ (chaired by Professor Paul McNally, Children’s Health Ireland) and ‘Innovators’ (chaired by Ms Michèle Cunnane, NCTO).
Guests attending included key national stakeholders from Government, HSE, National Regulatory and Ethics Agencies, Clinical Research Facilities/Centres, National Clinical Trial Networks, Pharmaceutical Companies, Clinical Research Organisations, Medtech Companies & Medical Device Innovators and Clinical Trial Researchers.
In his closing speech Dr O’Connor said, ‘‘Clinical Trials are the scientific mechanism by which we advance and identify new treatments to improve health and, in doing so, we also give hope to patients, foster growth in our economy and support the retention of our best and brightest health professionals. In bringing the community together we have showcased the breadth of innovation and impact of this vital sector of health. It beholds all stakeholders to continue progress in overcoming ongoing regulatory and practical challenges and enable this sector to achieve its full health, economic and societal impact.’’
A full list of the speakers and panellists can be found in the conference programme, here.
About the HRB-NCTO
The HRB National Clinical Trials Office, (HRB NCTO), was established in May 2021 as an independent, integrated, national clinical research network, providing centralised support in conducting multi-centre clinical trials and investigations, both commercial and academic, across Ireland.
HRB NCTO is a National Network made up of a central office, the seven University-based Clinical Research Facilities/Centres (CRF/C’s) and the staff working in the delivery of the clinical research activities across the Network. The HRB NCTO central office provides overarching support and expertise, through a range of services and activities. The partner CRF/C’s provide the infrastructure, physical space, facilities, experienced research and specialist support staff along with the necessary quality and oversight programs that are critical to the running of the clinical trials, investigations and research studies and for the successful conduct of world class patient focused research.
About UCD Clinical Research Centre
The UCD-CRC was established in 2006 to support clinician led research. The Centre is based at the Mater Misericordiae, St. Vincent's University Hospitals and National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street. Patients with different chronic diseases including end-stage kidney disease, pulmonary fibrosis and cancer, donate samples to the Centre on a regular basis, and these are assessed in the context of their own treatment and for the development of more accurate therapies for these diseases.
In 2021, the Centre announced receipt of a major funding award of €5.3 million from the HRB to further improve and develop the clinical trials network, including its design, coordination and methodology.