In collaboration with PRA Health Sciences, the University Medical Centre Groningen starts a Clinical Research Unit to carry out new research among patients at an early stage. This collaboration, which is unique in Europe, means that critical data and research results for new and existing medications could be available earlier.
The collaboration between the UMCG and PRA Health Sciences in this new ‘Clinical Research Unit’ makes it possible to carry out early research among patients with various medical conditions who have to stay in a hospital. Patients can be approached for this during their treatment and can voluntarily decide to participate in a research with newly developed medication. Medicines can be tested at an early stage, allowing them to be developed more quickly. The Clinical Research Unit will be built on the Healthy Ageing Campus, near the UMCG and is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2022.
Strengthening clinical research
For the UMCG, the collaboration is an important step into the research of new medicines. Dean and Executive Board member of the UMCG Marian Joëls is therefore enthusiastic. “As the UMCG, we want to make progress with treatment through research. We also have the means to provide specialized medical care. The collaboration with PRA gives us access to worldwide networks that are necessary for the recruitment of studies. In addition, PRA has the knowledge and competences required for the design, organisation and implementation of this type of complex study. We herewith increase the quality of early phase studies within our university medical centre. Combining the knowledge and expertise acts as a catalyst for the development of medicines. That is good news for our research and for the patient.”
Faster understanding of the effect of medicines
PRA Health Sciences, an international healthcare intelligence and clinical research company, has been conducting research in the Netherlands into the effects of drugs and vaccines among healthy participants for more than 35 years, meeting the highest quality standards. According to PRA, the cooperation brings a far-reaching change in the development of medicines. Ronald Koning, VP Clinical Research Services at PRA: “By conducting research among patients at an early stage, we know earlier whether a new drug could work well. This will improve the quality of life and contributes to an effective treatment of diseases where this is currently not possible. We are proud that with this collaboration we can contribute to the complex research questions that UMCG has based on its medical knowledge and academic background.”
Unique collaboration
The collaboration entered into by UMCG and PRA is unique in Europe. The cooperation brings together the necessary expertise and infrastructure of a university medical centre and a renowned research institute in a specially built unit, for which Triade is responsible. Edward van der Meer, director of Triade: “We have recently officially concluded our cooperation. Now we can start building the Clinical Research Unit.”
“We have recently officially concluded our cooperation. Now we can start building the Clinical Research Unit.”
PRA Health Sciences is one of the world’s leading global contract research organizations by revenue, providing outsourced clinical development and data solution services to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. PRA’s global clinical development platform includes more than 75 offices across North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, Australia and the Middle East and approximately 19,000 employees worldwide. Since 2000, PRA has participated in approximately 4,000 clinical trials worldwide. In addition, PRA has participated in the pivotal or supportive trials that led to U.S. Food and Drug Administration or international regulatory approval of more than 95 drugs.
In the Netherlands, PRA Health Sciences employs more than 750 people and is the largest player in drug research. PRA’s Netherlands-based facilities include a research centre with 150 beds, a pharmacy in Groningen, and a laboratory in Assen. Every year, around 2,000 healthy participants or patients take part in drug trials at PRA’s Netherlands-based facilities.
The University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) is one of the largest hospitals in the Netherlands and the largest employer in the northern part of the country. More than 13,000 people work in patient care and leading medical research, with the emphasis on 'healthy ageing'. The hospital has close ties with the University of Groningen for its research and teaching function. Patients come to the UMCG for highly specialised diagnosis, research or treatment.
Triade thinks along with knowledge-intensive, innovative ideas in an early phase of development, not yet proven successful. Always with an eye on regional opportunities and development and with an enterprising spirit. Triade was founded in 1988 by the UMCG and helps companies and knowledge institutions to excel. Together with its partners, Triade offers promising companies access to knowledge, talent, market, facilities and capital. In the partnership with UMCG and PRA Health Sciences, Triade has combined its knowledge, network and available resources to realize the Clinical Research Unit.
