These are the nominees in the category of Center of the Year
The first History Prize for outstanding achievement in clinical studies will be awarded on January 29, 2026, and the jury has now nominated candidates for each of the 6 categories.
The nomination process started in the fall of 2025, and the jury has received over 100 nominations for the 6 categories: Centre of the Year, Research-Initiated Study of the Year, Industry-Initiated Study 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.
The nominees for Centre of the Year are:
- MATRIX
- Neuro-SysMed
- Oslo Myeloma Centre (OMC)
- REMEDY
- Oncology Department at Akershus University Hospital HF (Ahus)
MATRIX
MATRIX is a national research centre for clinical cancer treatment established in 2022 with funding from the Research Council and the Cancer Society. The goal is to improve prognosis and quality of life for patients with cancers that have a poor prognosis through personalized diagnostics, treatment, and patient-centered care pathways. The centre is coordinated by Oslo University Hospital HF and includes 16 hospitals from all health regions, as well as the University of Oslo and OsloMet. MATRIX plays a leading role in precision medicine with advanced molecular diagnostics, new biomarkers, functional precision oncology, cell therapy, and proton therapy. The centre has a high study density with 13 clinical trials (11 multi-centre), strong patient inclusion with a plan for around 1800 patients by 2030, extensive user involvement through user councils and board participation, and significant scientific dissemination activities, including a dedicated "Clinical Trial Engine" and master's courses in clinical trials.
Neuro-SysMed
Neuro-SysMed was established in October 2019 as a Research Centre for Clinical Treatment (FKB) with funding from the Research Council. The centre operates in close collaboration between Haukeland University Hospital, the University of Bergen, and Haraldsplass Diaconal Hospital, with a clear goal of being internationally leading in research on the treatment and diagnostics of neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, ALS, and Parkinson's disease. Neuro-SysMed has led a high number of academic clinical trials across disease areas and study designs. This year, the centre has completed six academic clinical studies, ranging from early phase 1 studies to large multi-center phase 3 studies. This illustrates the centre's unique capacity to initiate, lead, and conduct complex clinical trials with high quality and within tight timelines. The centre has a broad network of collaborating study centres both nationally and internationally, as well as robust administrative support that ensures effective execution of both academic and industry-funded trials. Neuro-SysMed is particularly known for its outstanding patient-centered research and high patient recruitment. An interdisciplinary research environment, its own research school, active user involvement, close national collaboration, and the world's largest brain-omics database for Parkinson's disease have given Neuro-SysMed high professional recognition and strong international visibility.
Oslo Myeloma Centre (OMC)
OMC at Oslo University Hospital HF is Norway's largest environment for clinical trials measured by both the number of trials and patients. Since its inception in 2014, the centre has participated in 67 trials, of which about two-thirds are industry trials, and surpassed a total of 1000 included myeloma patients in 2025. At the same time, over half of the patients participate in academic trials. The success is built on long-term and dedicated efforts to establish an exceptional infrastructure, including 18 full-time study nurses, its own laboratory, a research-active medical staff, and financial sustainability without grants. A strong international position through roles in the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG), European Myeloma Network (EMN), Nordic groups, and other networks, in addition to close collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry, makes the Oslo Myeloma Centre one of the world's leading myeloma centers.
REMEDY
REMEDY is a nationally and internationally leading research centre for treatment in rheumatology and musculoskeletal diseases at Diakonhjemmet Hospital. REMEDY was established in 2022 as one of four Research Centres for Clinical Treatment (FKB centers), with significant support from the Research Council and the Olav Thon Foundation. The centre has achieved strong growth in clinical treatment trials and conducts a number of national and international multi-centre trials such as HIFSAT, PICASSO, MethMax, MOVE-JIA, NOR-CACTUS, NOR-SPRINT, and RA-DRUM, with high achievement in recruitment. Through a national clinical network, a professional trial unit, active patient councils, high publication quality in leading journals, and key roles in EU and Nordic projects such as the Horizon Europe trial SQUEEZE, REMEDY combines strong academic quality with high relevance for patient treatment.
Oncology Department at Akershus University Hospital HF (Ahus)
The department is a powerhouse for clinical trials and innovation in cancer treatment. The department has clinical studies integrated into patient care and high professional quality. The department saw an 80% increase in the number of trials with inclusion from 2023 to 2024, and the goal of including at least 5% of patients in the department in clinical trials was already achieved in 2021. In 2024, a total of 111 patients were screened, of which 49 patients were included in 17 active trials, both academic and industry-sponsored. 86 percent of the physicians in the department are now involved in at least one clinical trial. In several of the industry initiated trials, the department has included more patients than agreed, which is a result of targeted work with strategic goals, action plans, and continuous improvement of the trial unit.
The department has built a solid infrastructure with 13 research nurses, office professionals, research biomedical engineers, and a Medical Lead. The trial centre has an active culture of innovation and dissemination. They will be the first centre in Norway to use Clinical Conductor, a CTMS (Clinical Trial Management System) to manage study protocols, patient planning, finances, and reporting – all integrated into one platform for better oversight and quality. Researchers from the department have participated in 32 scientific publications in 2024.
Website Oncology Department - Akershus University Hospital HF
The text was translated from Norwegian using Optimizely auto-translation and edited by Ellen Johnsen.