Clinical research, in which new medical findings are tested under real-life conditions to verify their effectiveness and safety in patients, is crucial for developing and optimising therapies, medicines and treatment methods. It ensures the continuous development of innovative therapies, the ongoing optimisation of already approved treatment methods and thus the improvement of patients' health and quality of life. "Clinical studies are the link between discoveries in the laboratory and practical application in medicine," emphasises Michaela Fritz, Vice Rector for Research and Innovation at the Medical University of Vienna.

The long development and research process involves many hurdles that need to be overcome before a therapy can be made available to patients. Sound scientific advice helps to overcome these hurdles: "As AGES Medical Market Supervisory Authority, we are among the European leaders in terms of both the number of scientific advice procedures and central authorisation procedures." Austria's expertise is valued in the scientific advice procedures of the European Medicines Agency (EMA). "182 scientific advice procedures were coordinated by AGES in 2024, which puts us in second place in the EU ranking," emphasises Johannes Pleiner-Duxneuner, Managing Director of AGES.

Press release MedUni Vienna and AGES on Clinical Research Day 2025