European Cystic Fibrosis Society

Introduction

Site last updated: 8 July 2010
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The CTN Brochure is available here (in PDF): CTN Brochure 

The ECFS and EurCareCF have worked together to pave the way for an ECFS-Clinical Trial Network (ECFS-CTN), which has now been active since 2008. The network provides access to 18 large and experienced CF centres, located in 8 different countries throughout Europe. More countries and sites will be added in future years. All centres fulfil a certain set of criteria such as number of patients, human resources, experience in clinical trials and infrastructure support.

The aim of the European Cystic Fibrosis Clinical Trial Network is to intensify clinical research in the area of cystic fibrosis and to bring new medicines to the patients as quickly as possible.  This is done by:

• Sharing expertise among dedicated CF researchers.
• Involving and cooperating with the patient organizations.
• Centralising review of clinical trial protocols in cooperation with the pharmaceutical industry.
• Supporting the study conduct in the sites that are part of the network.
• Standardizing research procedures and outcome parameters,  and
• Providing training to the site’s staff.

Apart from study design, motivating patients to take part in research and promoting safety of participants in clinical trials are of great importance.

In 2009, the ECFS-CTN established contacts with several industry partners and 6 protocols have been reviewed. Currently 2 studies are actively running in CTN sites.

The CTN is also in close contact with the CFF Therapeutics Development Network in the US, to work together on the review and conduct of global studies.