Focusing on Clinical Trials: Vestre Viken HF is Seeing Results
Recently, NorTrials, LMI, and the Ministry of Health and Care Services visited the Research Committee (FU) at Vestre Viken HF to exchange experiences about clinical trials.
Vestre Viken: We See an Increase in the Number of Clinical Trials
“We have a research action plan in place from 2023-26, and one of the goals is to increase the number of clinical trials and the number of patients included in them. We have already seen an increase from last year - from 47 to 51 trials, and from 966 to 1609 patients included in clinical trials in 2023. The majority of patients are included at Drammen Hospital. Our numbers are not far behind Akershus University Hospital. Much of the work we have put in over the last years have been important and are showing results. Seven of our research environments have also been awarded NorTrials funding.”
This is what Kristine K. Sahlberg, Head of Research and Innovation at Vestre Viken HF, said. Sahlberg is also the chair of the Research Committee at the health trust, which had recently invited NorTrials, LMI, and the Ministry of Health and Care Services to their full-day meeting.
The Research Committee at Vestre Viken HF functions as an advisory body for research at the hospitals within the region; Bærum, Drammen, Kongsberg, and Ringerike. Among its responsibilities are contributing to the development and renewal of the health trust’s research strategy and serving as an advisory body for clinics on research-related issues. The members of the committee are primarily research leaders from the various hospitals.
NorTrials: Vestre Viken Quick to Respond
Signe Fretland, head of NorTrials’ coordinating unit, praised Vestre Viken HF for being proactive and for setting the goal that “the number of clinical trials in collaboration with industry should increase to provide patients with rapid access to new treatments,” aligning perfectly with the National Action Plan for Clinical Trials.
She informed the Research Committee about how NorTrials is organized, the handling of inquiries through the feasibility portal from pharmaceutical companies, which are then forwarded to both university hospitals and smaller healthcare trusts like Vestre Viken HF. It is important to respond quickly, whether or not you choose to participate in the trial.
“Vestre Viken HF is among the top three when it comes to responding to inquiries from us at NorTrials about clinical trials, and you deserve credit for that,” said Fretland.
LMI: The Importance of Responding Quickly
Nicolas Vaugelade-Baust from Novartis, who chairs LMI’s Innovation Committee and is a board member of NorTrials, explained how global pharmaceutical companies choose which countries to conduct clinical trials in and how competition is intensifying. He also explained why it is crucial to respond quickly and deliver what has been agreed upon, especially regarding the number of patients that you plan to recruit into the trial.
“From our industry’s perspective, if you say yes to a trial, it’s important to stand by that commitment. If you withdraw, for example due to lab capacity issues, it severely damages the chances of securing future trials. Global companies use statistics—and increasingly artificial intelligence—to determine where to place their trials. If you are uncertain about your ability to deliver, it is actually better to say no. If you say yes, it is also smart to be the first to recruit the first patient. This gets noticed by the company’s headquarters, and you end up on the list of preferred sites for future trials,” said Vaugelade-Baust.
NorTrials Brain Health: Size is not the Most Important Factor
Kjell-Morten Myhr from NorTrials Brain Health traveled from Bergen to share experiences from a NorTrials center and to explain how they collaborate with non-university hospitals.
“From the beginning, we at NorTrials Brain Health have been thinking nationally and have created national networks within various areas of brain health. Do not focus so much on the fact that you are not a university hospital. Here, collaboration, culture, and leadership are what matter, not the size of the hospital,” said Myhr.
He also confirmed the importance of responding quickly to trial feasibility requests, including the number of patients promised, and saying no if there is uncertainty about whether the trial can be carried out.
Marianne van der Wel from the Ministry of Health and Care Services provided the Research Committee with an overview of all evaluations and measures implemented regarding clinical trials in Norway since 2012, when NorCRIN was established, and what lies ahead after the National Action Plan for Clinical Trials, which is valid until 2025.