Get to Know the Coordinating Unit of NorTrials

The team includes Signe Øien Fretland (leader, 100%), Ellen Johnsen (coordinator, 20%), advisors Ingrid Fjeldheim Bånerud (40%) and Anne Marie Halstensen (40%), and communications advisor Eline Feiring (20%).

Ellen Johnsen is also a senior advisor for clinical trials at the Regional Research Support unit at Oslo University Hospital (OUS). Ingrid Bånerud serves as a research coordinator and administration consultant at the Department of Research, Innovation and Education, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Oslo University Hospital, while Anne Marie Halstensen recently completed her role as a research coordinator at Østfold Hospital. Eline Feiring is a communications advisor at the Norwegian Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (LMI).

The NorTrials Coordinating Unit is responsible for overseeing the progress and activities of the NorTrials initiative in close collaboration with the organization and key partners.

Function

The unit serves as a national hub to strengthen collaboration between the healthcare industry and Norway’s specialist health services to facilitate clinical trials across the country. Its goals include creating a professional system for handling and forwarding trial inquiries, offering efficient and simple solutions for industry partners wishing to collaborate with Norwegian hospitals

Tasks for Industry Partners

• National Entry Point/NorTrials Feasibility Portal
• Quality Assurance of Patient Information and Consent Forms
• International Promotion

Tasks for Specialist Health Services

• Advisory Services
• Knowledge Sharing and Competence Building

NorTrials Feasibility Portal

The NorTrials initiative offers a “one-stop entry” for pharmaceutical and medical device companies looking to collaborate with Norwegian research environments.

Quality Assurance of Patient Information and Consent Forms

The Coordinating Unit provides a free service to assist industry sponsors in reviewing and ensuring the quality of patient information forms before submission to regulatory authorities. This service includes general proofreading and compliance checks against the templates of the Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics (REK), adhering to ICH-GCP and national SOP guidelines. Sponsors must submit both the original (if in a language other than Norwegian) and a Norwegian draft. The estimated review time is up to five business days.

Read more about the patient information quality service here.

International Promotion

In partnership with Innovation Norway, NorTrials facilitates international arenas where healthcare companies and Norwegian researchers can connect and plan future projects.

NorTrials Advisor Services

NorTrials offers advisory support to hospitals without their own research support units, providing practical assistance for feasibility studies, planning, and launching clinical trials. The unit’s advisors have extensive experience across all phases of clinical trials and can assist healthcare institutions with:

• Feasibility: Guidance on confidentiality agreements (CDAs) and sponsor questionnaires.
• Planning: Staff training, resource planning, internal alignment, and privacy guidance.
• Start-up and Execution: Support with study procedures, document management, and monitoring preparation.

Knowledge Sharing and Competence Building

There is a need for greater awareness of clinical trials among the general population and healthcare professionals. The Coordinating Unit contributes by disseminating knowledge through its website, social media, informational materials, and by hosting digital or in-person events upon request. In collaboration with NorCRIN, the unit also facilitates training courses to enhance competence in clinical trials.