Medical Research Agency (MRA) has established Polish Clinical Trials Network whose aim is to develop clinical research and to implement consistent, systemic quality and process solutions in Polish centres conducting clinical trials. The cooperation agreement was signed on 11 March.

Ten beneficiaries of the call number ABM/3/2020 for creation of Clinical Research Support Centres are the first to have joined the project and they include:  Medical University of Lodz,  Medical University of Bialystok, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Military Institute of Medicine, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, medical University of Gdańsk, Stefan Kardynał Wyszyński Institute of Cardiology, The Children’s Memorial Health Institute, Wrocław Medical University, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation.

Beneficiaries of the next MRA call for creation of Clinical Research Support Centres will also be the next to join the initiative.

The network of national centres of clinical research follows western European patterns. The centres networking is meant to bring substantial benefits for the project partners i.e., hospitals, researchers and, last but not least, patients. The major objective of the network formation includes the implementation of common quality standards and unification of operational processes in both commercial and non-commercial research. Common and standardised processes and models of the information management in clinical research are supposed to attract overseas sponsors and encourage them to conduct research in public centres, said the MRA announcement.

Medical Research Agency will play the role of a mentor in the creation of Polish Clinical Trials Network. The agency will design and provide access to the IT platform which will function as the main communication and information tool for the network. What’s more, the agency will launch and operationalise educational activity, compile standardised document templates and aid to promote the centres. The long-term perspective involves an annual programme of adaptation which can enable the certification of the network centres.