More then 90+ years of experience in our team.

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Clinical Conduct

Clinical Conduct

CTC Netherlands specializes in early-phase (Phase 1/2a) trials, focusing on safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy. Located at UMCG, it utilizes advanced technology and collaborates with specialized departments, supporting complex studies with both patients and healthy volunteers, including CSF sampling and PET/MRI imaging.

Clinical Conduct at CTC provides essential functions in all our studies, whether conducted at our own facilities or external sites.

Areas of Expertise

Proof of Concept Studies: Focusing on the clinical conduct of Phase 1/2a trials, we design and implement studies to evaluate the initial efficacy and feasibility of new treatments, bridging the gap between preclinical research and clinical application.

Early Phase Patient Studies: Specializing in Phase 1/2a trials, we conduct early-stage clinical studies with patient populations to assess safety, optimal dosing, and preliminary effectiveness, providing a critical foundation for further development.

Specialized Healthy Volunteer Studies: Our expertise includes conducting complex, invasive Phase 1/2a studies with healthy volunteers, utilizing advanced procedures such as continuous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sampling, PET and MRI imaging, EEGs, and DEXA scans. These capabilities enable us to capture high-quality, detailed data essential for early-stage insights in clinical research.

Integrated Location and Collaborations: Located on the premises of a large teaching hospital, we have established strong relationships with key research departments, including neurology, geriatrics, urology, anesthesiology, psychiatry, internal medicine, and clinical pharmacology. This integration enhances our access to specialized knowledge and resources, fostering a collaborative environment for conducting complex, multi-disciplinary studies.

Facility Layout and Features

Our facility is a hospital-based, fully equipped Clinical Site, designed to support a full range of early-phase clinical trials within a safe, well-resourced environment. Located on the premises of the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), we benefit from direct access to one of the Netherlands’ largest and most renowned teaching hospitals. UMCG is a leader in both clinical care and medical research, particularly in areas such as neuroscience, oncology, and complex genetic and chronic conditions. This partnership enhances our access to cutting-edge technology, medical expertise, and an extensive network of specialized research departments.

Key features of our facility include:

  • 12 beds for in-house stays, along with access to an additional 13 beds on the UMCG campus, for patients and healthy volunteers, ensuring a controlled and monitored environment for extended study needs.
  • Out-patient capacity, allowing us to support both short-term visits and follow-up appointments for a diverse range of study protocols.
  • Integrated emergency support through a separate agreement with the ICU, ensuring swift and specialized care in the event of any emergency, further reinforcing patient safety.

Our dedicated Clinical Site combines comfort, advanced monitoring, and immediate hospital support, creating an ideal setting for conducting early-phase clinical research with optimal safety and care.

Clinical Conduct

Network of Specialists and Expertise

In addition to the experienced team at CTC Netherlands, we collaborate with three renowned clinical pharmacology experts, each with an impressive track record: Dr. Pauline… Read more

In addition to the experienced team at CTC Netherlands, we collaborate with three renowned clinical pharmacology experts, each with an impressive track record:

  • Dr. Pauline van Heiningen: Former Head of Clinical Pharmacology at Reckitt Benckiser and Astellas, bringing extensive leadership and drug development expertise.
  • Assoc. Prof. Bengt Dahlström: Founder of CTR Sweden and a leader in clinical research with decades of experience in pharmacological studies.
  • Dr. Willem Drijfhout: CEO of Idexim and former EVP at PRA International, offering unparalleled insight into global clinical trial operations and strategy.

This network strengthens our ability to deliver high-quality outcomes in complex clinical studies.

Dr. Pauline van Heiningen
Ass. Prof. Bengt Dahlström (CTR/CTC)
Dr. Willem Jan Drijfhout (Idexim)

Expertise Center for Parkinson’s Disease

In collaboration with Prof. Dr. T. (Teus) van Laar, Professor of Neurology, our research focuses on advanced treatment strategies for Parkinson’s disease. We have access… Read more

In collaboration with Prof. Dr. T. (Teus) van Laar, Professor of Neurology, our research focuses on advanced treatment strategies for Parkinson’s disease. We have access to a comprehensive database of nearly 5,000 Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients, with genotyping data available for over 500 individuals. Our work targets genetic variations in key genes associated with Parkinson’s pathology, including SNCA, LRRK2, GBA1, PRKN, PINK1, and DJ-1. This data facilitates research into the genetic factors influencing disease progression and treatment outcomes, enabling potential personalized approaches in PD management.

Prof. dr. T. (Teus) van Laar (UMCG)

Expertise Center for Psychiatry

In the field of psychiatry, we work closely with Prof. Dr. R.A. (Robert) Schoevers, Professor and Head of the Psychiatry Department, who brings extensive experience… Read more

In the field of psychiatry, we work closely with Prof. Dr. R.A. (Robert) Schoevers, Professor and Head of the Psychiatry Department, who brings extensive experience and interest in conducting studies involving psychedelics. Prof. Schoevers is also a key figure in Psynapse, a nationwide consortium in the Netherlands dedicated to advancing clinical research in psychiatric patients. This collaboration supports our research into novel psychiatric treatments and the development of evidence-based approaches for patients with complex psychiatric conditions.

Prof. dr. R.A. (Robert) Schoevers (UMCG)

Rare Diseases and Specialized Research Access

Located on the UMCG campus, our research network offers access to over 30 specialized research departments, allowing for interdisciplinary studies in rare and complex diseases…. Read more

Located on the UMCG campus, our research network offers access to over 30 specialized research departments, allowing for interdisciplinary studies in rare and complex diseases. This is complemented by collaborations with 7 academic hospitals and 26 top clinical hospitals across the Netherlands, providing a broad platform for comprehensive clinical research and trial access.

Specialized Research Facilities

Specialized Studies with Healthy Volunteers: Our controlled research environment enables studies involving healthy volunteers, supporting the rigorous protocols required for reliable, high-quality results. Medical Imaging… Read more
  • Specialized Studies with Healthy Volunteers: Our controlled research environment enables studies involving healthy volunteers, supporting the rigorous protocols required for reliable, high-quality results.
  • Medical Imaging Center: Our imaging capabilities include PET, SPECT, CT, and MRI, facilitating advanced diagnostic and monitoring protocols essential for assessing treatment efficacy and disease progression.
  • Anesthesiology and Serial CSF Sampling: We provide expertise in serial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sampling, lumbar punctures, and other anesthesiology-related procedures, allowing for detailed longitudinal data collection necessary for neurological and systemic studies.
  • Cognitive Neuroscience Center: Equipped with fMRI, EEG, NIRS, and neurostimulation tools, our center supports research into brain function and cognitive processing, particularly in neuropsychiatric and cognitive conditions.
Prof. dr. M.M.R.F. (Michel) Struys (UMCG)

Commitment to Safety and Well-being

At our clinical site, the safety and well-being of research participants are our highest priorities. We have rigorous protocols and a highly trained team in place to ensure that every study is conducted with the utmost care and responsibility.

  • Risk Minimization: We take proactive steps to minimize risks prior to study commencement. A designated team is involved from the beginning, providing input on study protocols and Informed Consent Forms (ICF) to ensure clarity and safety.
  • In-House and Specialist Support: Our team includes in-house physicians, backed by a network of specialists, to offer comprehensive medical support throughout the study duration. Investigators and nurses are available on standby 24/7 to address any participant needs or unexpected situations.
  • Qualified and Flexible Staffing: Our staff is highly qualified and adaptable, meeting the demands of early-phase patient studies and specialized healthy volunteer studies. When needed, we have the capability to temporarily expand our clinical team to match study requirements.
  • Emergency Preparedness: We have an established introductory program and conduct annual emergency training for all team members. This ensures readiness and proficiency in handling emergency situations, with the unit fully equipped to respond swiftly and effectively if required.

Through these measures, we are committed to maintaining a safe, controlled environment that prioritizes participant safety at every stage of the research process.

Clinical Conduct

At CTC, our Clinical Operations team plays a vital role in every study we conduct, whether it’s within our own facilities or at external sites. Their expertise ensures seamless coordination and quality execution, guaranteeing the success of our research endeavors.

CTC stands out by its in-house Site Network with an state-of-the-art research clinic in the middle of Groningen. We provide full-service management and conduct of Phase 0, FIH, Phase I and Phase II studies as well as medical device investigations. Our site network supports clinical trials in all phases of development.

Experienced Study Team

Discover our

Our research is driven by a highly experienced study team, each member bringing specialized expertise in early-phase clinical trials and patient-centered research. Together, their dedication and knowledge form the foundation for safe, effective, and innovative clinical studies.

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