A fifth of clinical cancer trials in Europe are in Belgium

A fifth of clinical cancer trials in Europe are in Belgium
Belgium is in second place in respect of its undertaking clinical trials.

A fifth of all new medicines and therapies trialled in Europe, within the sphere of oncology, are in Belgium. The umbrella organisation of the Belgian pharmaceutical sector, pharma.be, flags this up. The organisation emphasises the country's expertise in the sphere.

Indeed, nearly one third (29%) of clinical trial requests concern the fight against cancer. Between the period from 2014 and 2016, more than 470 trial requests were within the sphere of oncology.

Nathalie Lambot, an expert with pharma.be says, “The Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (known as the “AFMPS”) each month receives an average of 13 new requests for clinical trials involving the fight against cancer.”

She goes on, “Belgian expertise in the sphere of clinical trials and very short approval times for such trials are a major advantage for our country's patients. They can get early access to innovative treatment.”

Belgium has a reputation for general research, adds pharma.be.

In 2016, there were 507 new requests for clinical trials and 1,399 were in progess. This puts the country in second place at European level, on a per capita basis. Some 82% of these trials were initiated by the pharmaceutical industry.

The remainder were spearheaded by universities or academic centres.

Catherine Rutten, the CEO of pharma.be says, “The exceptional collaboration...between pharmaceutical companies, the academic world, hospitals, the Medicines Agency and ethics committees represents a formidable asset to be able to start quick clinical trials in the best conditions possible.”

She goes on, “We should be very proud of Belgium’s exceptional position as a European state undertaking clinical trials.”


The Brussels Times


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