Celebrated Award for Excellence in Clinical Trials – Six Prizes and a Special Award

Minister of Health and Care Services Jan Christian Vestre said this when he opened Norway's first award ceremony for the Prize for Excellence in Clinical Trials on Thursday evening. The prize was established by NorTrials, LMI, CONNECT, Inven2, NorCRIN, and Melanor, and 190 participants from the entire value chain of clinical trials were present in the historic mirror hall at the Grand Hotel in Oslo to witness the award ceremony.

Goal: to highlight and recognize everyone who works with – and participates in – clinical trials

The Prize for Excellence in Clinical Trials is a national award aimed at highlighting and recognizing those who truly make a difference in clinical research in Norway.

The health minister spoke warmly about clinical trials in his speech, emphasizing that this is crucial in today's healthcare system. He received applause from the audience when he reiterated what the authorities have written in the mandate letters to the regional health enterprises.

- We achieve much more when we work together

– It states that "Clinical trials should be an integral part of all patient treatment and clinical practice." Clinical trials are also important for collaboration with the health industry, and I believe you know that I am very much in favor of collaboration with the health industry. We achieve much more in this country when we work together than when we try on our own. And public-private collaboration – almost in all areas of society – is a benefit. It is what helps us reach our goals, it is how we innovate, it is how we create value in both the public and private sectors, it can contribute to better healthcare at home, but it can also help spread solutions that the rest of the world can benefit from. This also creates value for the Norwegian health industry, which we need at a time when the Norwegian economy is undergoing the biggest transformation ever. And we know that industry trials provide patients with early access to new treatments, but they also give Norwegian researchers access to infrastructure, technology, international collaboration, and networks. Yes, here the goals are really only as big as we want them to be; here we can truly aim for the stars, said Vestre.

Honorary Award to Tore Kvien

Over 100 nominations were submitted for the award, and the jury – consisting of representatives from academia, the support system, and patient and industry organizations – had quite a task in selecting the winners. Awards were presented in six categories that evening, along with the surprise award for Honorary Prize of the Year. The health minister had the honour of presenting this award, which went to Professor Tore Kvien.

– In addition to the regular awards, the jury conducted a secret process to find a person who deserves the Honorary Prize of the Year. The Honorary Prize is awarded to a person who has distinguished themselves particularly over time and has made a lasting impact with their commitment, effort, and leadership. It is the organizers' way of saying thank you for the effort, thank you for the perseverance, and thank you for the mark you have left, said Vestre.

Kvien was honoured and surprised.

– I was completely surprised; I knew nothing about this in advance. I was here because we had three nominations from the rheumatology environment at Diakonhjemmet Hospital, so I, as a senior, was asked to be present on that occasion. I have, in fact, employed some of the nominees. But I was very happy and very surprised to receive this honorary award. I liked the health minister's introduction where he focused on the need to invest even more in clinical research and that this should be integrated into regular clinical practice. This is also an idea I have had all along as a department head, that clinical research is a statutory task and should be integrated into patient treatment, said Kvien.

Much to celebrate – and much to work on

The award ceremony, led by Signe Fretland from NorTrials and Hege Edvardsen from CONNECT, became a celebration of dedicated professional environments, researchers, healthcare personnel, and partners who put in enormous effort every day – often far beyond what is expected.

– Looking at the public discourse around clinical trials, it can sometimes feel like an uphill battle for those of us working to increase the attractiveness of studies in Norway. Therefore, it is gratifying to share the latest figures for registered drug trials from the Norwegian Medical Products Agency (NOMA), where we see an increase of 31.2% from 2024 to 2025. But we are still not there, and therefore it is important that the work on the national action plan for clinical trials, which is expected to be launched very soon, continues, said Hege Edvardsen, chair of CONNECT, from the stage.

The Award Winners

Centre of the Year: Oslo Myeloma Centre

The Oslo Myeloma Centre has over time demonstrated an extraordinary ability to combine high scientific quality, impressive execution capability, and sustainable organization – for the benefit of patients, the field, and Norway's attractiveness as a country hosting clinical trials.

The centre is a model for how targeted investment, professional ambition, and effective organization can yield results – and is proof that it is possible for Norwegian clinical trial centers to be among the top internationally.

These are the nominees in the category of Innovative Environment of the Year - NorTrials.

Research-Initiated Trial of the Year: OVERLORD-MS led by project leader Øivind Torkildsen

OVERLORD-MS combines patient and societal benefit in an outstanding way by both improving patient outcomes and strengthening the sustainability of the healthcare system. The study is characterized by high scientific quality, effective coordination of study centres, and high execution capability. Internationally, the study has contributed to strengthening Norway's position in MS research.

Industry-Initiated Trial of the Year: Quintessential-2 by Mash Hamid from BMS Norway and Ingerid Abrahamsen from Oslo University Hospital

Quintessential-2 investigates a completely new type of CAR-T cell therapy for relapsed multiple myeloma, focusing on both efficacy and patient-reported quality of life. The study is likely to be central in the development of new treatments for multiple myeloma and is highly sought after. Norway has excelled in both startup and recruitment compared to centers from much larger countries.

Innovative Environment of the Year: The project group around the AI-MIND study, led by Professor Ira Haraldsen

AI-Mind is among the first in Norway to apply artificial intelligence as a clinical method for early identification of dementia risk. The study features a distinctly innovative and patient-centered design that integrates advanced AI models with clinical data, EEG, imaging diagnostics, biomarkers, and longitudinal follow-up. With strong national anchoring and broad international collaboration, the team around AI-Mind contributes to strengthening Norway's position as an attractive and driving arena for innovative, technology-driven, and patient-centered clinical studies.

Young Researcher of the Year: Peder Langeland Myhre

Peder Langeland Myhre has shown great commitment and has already made a deep impact in clinical practice, teaching, and research. Despite his young age, he already has 120 registered publications and has been the principal investigator for 8 research-initiated and 10 industry-initiated studies. With his outstanding research career, international visibility, and as the leader of NorTrials' cardiovascular program, the winner has great potential to make a difference for clinical trials in Norway.

Enthusiast of the Year: Åslaug Helland

The Enthusiast of the Year has for many years worked tirelessly and purposefully to secure more clinical trials for cancer patients in Norway. Her commitment has particularly focused on lung cancer, where she has contributed to ensuring that new and groundbreaking treatments have reached Norwegian patients early.

Her long-standing and consistent efforts have yielded clear results, and in 2025 she was one of those in Norway who contributed to the largest and broadest recruitment of trials and patient inclusion.

Satisfied Organizers

Signe Fretland, head of NorTrials' coordinating unit, is very pleased with the event.

– For those of you working with clinical trials in the healthcare system, it can sometimes be both challenging and frustrating to fit it into a hectic clinical everyday life. But every now and then, it is important to lift your gaze and take in all the good work you are accomplishing. Therefore, this evening – although it honors six award winners specifically – is in reality a tribute to all of you, said Fretland in the introduction.

The article was translated from Norwegian using Optimizely auto-translation and ChatGPT, and edited by Ellen Johnsen.