International networking
In addition to successful establishment of the highly specialised network of paediatric centres for conducting paediatric clinical studies in Austria, OKIDS is intensively involved at international level and is a partner in important transnational organisations.
OKIDS asserts its presence with key European stakeholders.
Why does OKIDS also operate internationally?
OKIDS actively fulfils this role and asserts its presence with key European stakeholders. This increases the international profile of OKIDS as a potential partner for the industry’s medicinal product licence studies. Furthermore, the international networks make it possible to jointly lobby for the important topic of research into paediatric medicinal products throughout Europe and access to EU funding programmes is facilitated. The third important aspect of this international commitment is the high-level exchange of experience within the European paediatric networks.
In which international networks are we involved?
OKIDS is currently a partner in the following international networks:
- Enpr-EMA (European Network of Paediatric Research at the European Medicines Agency, visit website)
- C4C (Collaborative Network for European Clinical Trials For Children, visit website). Project period: 1.5.2018 - 30.4.2024
- PedCRIN (Paediatric Clinical Research Infrastructure Network, visit website). Project period: 1.1.2017 - 30.6.2021
Enpr-EMA
OKIDS has been a Category 1 member since May 2015. Enpr-EMA is a key stakeholder platform in the paediatric medicinal product sector, enabling networking and collaboration between members inside and outside the European Union (EU), including universities and the pharmaceutical industry.
The aim is to facilitate studies to increase the availability of medicinal products authorised for use in the paediatric population.
Enpr-EMA is dedicated to promote studies to increase available medicinal products for children. The organisation plans to achieve this objective as follows:
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By establishing a European paediatric research network based on national and European specialist networks, investigators and centres of excellence in paediatric clinical studies, the Enpr-EMA plans to contribute to high quality and ethical research with regard to the safety and efficacy of medicinal products for children.
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Areas of expertise should be generated at EU level and the unnecessary duplication of studies should be avoided, which can be achieved through efficient cooperation of all stakeholders within the network.
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The Enpr-EMA aims to raise awareness among healthcare professionals, parents, caregivers, children and adolescents concerning the supportive needs of paediatric clinical studies.
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The organisation enters into dialogue with ethics committees on relevant issues related to paediatric research and clinical studies and assists in their proper implementation.
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Or also from the EMA homepage or our brochure
C4C (Connect for Children – a Collaborative Network for European Clinical Trials For Children)
c4c is a cooperation between industry and non-industry partners that focuses on the needs of all participants and stakeholders.
The primary objective is to develop, implement and evaluate robust, sustainable and integral structures for the conduct of studies in Europe with the aim of supporting and improving the development of paediatric medicinal products. By harmonising procedures and with the knowledge of strategic focal points, a transparent network for the optimised handling of paediatric medicinal product studies is to be created.
Optimised procedures for paediatric studies are to be established in the future (correct planning and selection of a centre, optimal initiation and sequential organisation of a study, involvement of patients and their representatives etc.). Among other tasks, OKIDS is in charge of the thematic development of the “Single Point of Contact” for Europe (WP2 task 2.3).
Project period: 1.5.2018 - 30.4.2024
PedCRIN
PedCRIN brings together ECRIN and the European Paediatric Clinical Trial Research Infrastructure (EPCTRI) to develop capacity for multinational paediatric clinical studies and specific tools for paediatric and neonatal studies (study methods, outcome measures, adverse event reporting, bio-sample management, ethical and regulatory databases, monitoring, quality and certification).
Project period: 1.1.2017 - 30.6.2021