ACTstroke – new platform for large clinical stroke trials in Austria presented
VASCage establishes the Austrian Clinical Trial Platform Stroke (ACTstroke) as a single point of contact for international study sponsors. The aim is to enhance the attractiveness of Austria as a site for large clinical stroke trials. ACTstroke was introduced at the recent virtual stroke unit operator meeting of the Austrian Stroke Society.
Large trials in a small country
Austria is widely acknowledged for its excellent standard in stroke patient care. Yet despite its outstanding healthcare performance, Austria plays only a minor role in initiating large clinical studies so far. This is due to Austria’s limited population size and the decentralised network of rather small stroke units, often at non-university hospitals.
Now VASCage provides all stroke units in Austria that participate in ACTstroke with all they need to qualify as an attractive clinical study site, e.g. organisational, regulatory and legal counseling, education of personnel and IT infrastructure. ACTstroke connects international study sponsors such as pharmaceutical companies with all stroke units that are suitable for their specific request.
Excellent research network of stroke units
Assoc. Prof. PD Dr. Michael Knoflach, project leader at VASCage, says: „With ACTstroke we build on one of the best stroke care networks worldwide to establish an equally excellent scientific network.“ Knoflach is the head of clinical stroke care and stroke research at the Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck.
At VASCage a clinical trial expertise hub is being realised with a comprehensive portfolio of cardiovascular research and study support services. „ACTstroke is one important cornerstone of our ongoing clinical trial initiatives,“ states VASCage CEO Dipl.-Ing. Mag. Matthias Ullrich LL.m.