What is the Polish Clinical Trials Network (PCTN)?
It was set up on March 11, 2021 through an agreement between the Medical Research Agency and the Beneficiaries of the 1st edition call for proposals for the establishment and development of Clinical Trials Support Centers. It aims at implementing uniform, systemic solutions for quality and process management at institutions involved in conducting clinical trials in Poland. The common standards and clinical trial information management models in place within the Network are intended to make the Polish clinical trial market more attractive to sponsors, and particularly encourage them to use public sector institutions as venues for their research.
What has WUM gained from joining the PCTN?
Joining the PCTN enables us to use the solutions offered by the network, to access and participate in the organization’s actions, education and communication events. One of these solutions is a platform and software for creating electronic clinical observation cards (electronic Case Report Forms, eCRF). The Academic Clinical Trials Support Center and the IT Center staff are already testing the tool to assess the options for using it in WUM research.
Moreover, our University will be able to take part in PCTN General Assemblies and the Network Working Groups. This will give us actual influence on the PCTN growth strategies being developed and on the principles of multiple center collaboration of the Network members.
The membership further involves access to educational campaigns. These serve the purpose of improving the qualifications of our research teams and administrative personnel responsible for proper execution of clinical trials.
Access to the European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network
As members of PCTN, we can use the European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network (ECRIN) resources. The core activity of ECRIN comprises clinical trials initiated by academic sponsors and by small and medium-sized enterprises from the biotechnology and medical device sector. ECRIN facilitates the achievement of research objectives by researchers and sponsors through providing access to information, advice and services needed for planning and carrying out international clinical trials.
Poland has been a full member of the ECRIN network since 2022. Currently, thirteen countries are members of the ECRIN network, twelve of which have member status (Czech Republic, France, Spain, Ireland, Germany, Norway, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Switzerland, Greece, Slovakia).
For more information on PCTB, go to