This is a vital point of action for the pharmaceutics industry, which is mobilising against the competition.

Some 9% of European clinical trials for new medicines are performed in Belgium, thus placing our country at the top of the standings. These are the findings made by the enquiry performed by Deloitte for the period 2006-2009. An average of 540 clinical trials is performed in Belgium each year.

According to Deloitte, more than half of the studies on new medicines involve the two first phases of analysis. This early stage of development of the new product requires a high level of scientific expertise. Phase III accounts for 37% of the clinical trials performed. An average of 39 patients is involved in these trials.

Belgium’s strength resides in a network of scientists, hospitals and small and large scale (bio)pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies. Administrative efficiency is another strong point: in Belgium, the deadline for approving clinical trials is two weeks, as for the United Kingdom, which constitutes the fastest procedure in Europe (for phase I studies).

A series of specialised associations and pharma.be – the association representing the industry – have launched an “initiative for promoting clinical trials in Belgium”. The aim is to lobby in view of improving Belgian know-how and efficiency in the subject area. These associations are, for example, speaking in favour of the electronic submission of applications and for a reduction in fees.

www.theinitiative.com

27/02/2010 Copyright © L'Echo.be