International Clinical Trials Day (ICTD) 2026 took place on Wednesday 20 May 2026 in Prague. The conference entitled “Stronger Together: Advanced Therapies Clinical Trials Without Borders” was organised in collaboration between ECRIN and CZECRIN. The main theme of the event was Advanced Therapies Clinical Trials (ATMPs) and how they can be effectively implemented across countries, regulatory systems and healthcare infrastructures.

Advanced Therapeutic Medicines (ATMPs) represent a rapidly expanding area of clinical research, encompassing gene therapies, cell therapies and tissue-engineered products designed to treat diseases with increasing medical need. ATMP clinical research is characterised by complex clinical trial designs and, unlike conventional drugs, requires close integration of clinical protocols with manufacturing, as well as long-term follow-up of patients to monitor durability of therapeutic effect and potential delayed risks.

As a consequence, regulatory, ethical and logistical aspects play a key role in ATMP clinical research, and their importance is increasing, especially when conducting international clinical trials. Successful implementation of these innovative therapies therefore requires intensive collaboration between research institutes, healthcare facilities, manufacturers, regulatory authorities and patient organisations. It is the motto  “Stronger Together” highlights the importance of working together and collaborating across borders to overcome the challenges associated with the development and evaluation of advanced therapies to bring innovative treatments to patients safely, effectively and in the shortest possible time.