These are the nominees in the category of Innovative Environment of the Year

The nomination process started in the fall of 2025, and the jury has received over 100 nominations for the 6 categories: Center of the Year, Researcher-Initiated Trial of the Year, Industry-Initiated Trial of the Year, Innovative Environment of the Year, Young Researcher of the Year, and Enthusiast of the Year.

After a thorough process, the jury has selected a few nominees in each of the 6 categories. From today and in the coming weeks, we will present these.

The award for Innovative Environment of the Year will go to someone who has made a mark nationally and internationally for doing something for the first time in Norway or contributed to innovation in clinical studies - either in study design, use of innovative solutions, or solutions to engage and involve patients.

The nominees in the category Innovative Environment of the Year are:

• Oslo University Hospital, Neurology Department
• Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Unit for Health Services Research and Innovation (EHI)
• Possibia

Oslo University Hospital, Neurology Department

Nominated for the research environment surrounding the study AI-Mind – an EU-funded project led by Professor Ira Haraldsen at OUS with a total of 15 partners from 8 European countries. The purpose of the study, which recruits patients from Norway, Finland, Italy, and Spain, is to develop clinical decision-making tools powered by artificial intelligence that can evaluate dementia risk in individuals with mild or subjective cognitive impairment. The study represents a paradigm shift in how clinical trials are conducted, moving from traditional treatment trials to integrated, data-driven models that link neurophysiology, biomarkers, and cognitive testing in real-time. Among the participants from Norway are OsloMet AI Lab, the University of Oslo, PreDiagnostics, and user organizations such as the Pensioners' Association and the National Association.

Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Unit for Health Services Research and Innovation (EHI)

Nominated for conducting several studies with innovative designs that differ from traditional randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The unit, led by Professor Nina Østerås, has also focused in recent years on the development of medical apps, which are tested in randomized clinical treatment studies. The results from the studies on digital follow-up strategies for patients are used to create new, more effective patient pathways - which are implemented at the outpatient clinic. EHI is an active participant in the REMEDY center and has for many years led a patient council to ensure good user involvement in all studies. Additionally, the unit leads a regional research network for decentralized studies, RECONNECT, which aims to increase competence around the use of decentralized elements in research trials.

Possibia

Nominated for developing a searchable and filterable digital portal for clinical trials. Possibia was founded by Gaute and Tim Næspe based on the observation that patients often struggle to find and understand clinical trials. The platform makes clinical trials understandable, searchable, and accessible to everyone: patients, relatives, and healthcare professionals. At the same time, it can offer services that can contribute to effective recruitment of patients for studies. The solution is based on insights and problem understanding from previous collaborations with NeuroSysMed, and with particular user insights from the project MED.hjelper. Possibia is an international multilingual platform that can be used to find studies worldwide.