GWT review of the 33rd BVMA Symposium
How can Germany once again become the leading location for clinical trials and medical research? This key question was explored in depth at the 33rd BVMA* Symposium on 21 November 2025 in Munich.
In January, the GWT medical team presented the most important solutions in condensed form to the entire workforce. Possible measures for closing the translation gap between medical research and the clinical application of innovative therapies were highlighted. Simplifying bureaucratic processes and approval procedures, as well as strengthening closer cooperation between research institutes, companies and authorities, can form the basis for faster development cycles in drug research in order to provide new, innovative, effective and safe therapies for patients. The Medical Research Act (MFG) and developments in artificial intelligence (AI) play a central role in this.
The speakers reported on new legal changes, the authority's initial experiences in implementing the requirements of the MFG with regard to the approval processes for clinical trials, and considerations on how the safety reporting of serious adverse events in clinical trials can be further improved. Other exciting topics included the creation of university study networks, the potential applications of AI throughout the entire clinical trial process, and the possible uses of secondary data or real-world data in the context of approval procedures. The Initiative Studienstandort Deutschland (ISD) presented its demands and activities, such as the development of standard contract clauses for the contractual integration of trial centres in Germany.
This event enabled GWT participants to further deepen their knowledge and understanding of the clinical research landscape, which will serve as impetus for the further development of our own processes as an academic research institution.
*Federal Association of Medical Contract Research Organisations
(Bundesverband Medizinischer Auftragsinstitute e.V.)