Clinical trials are one of the most important pillars of the development of medical science: they provide the scientific foundation on which new medicines, therapies, and modern treatment procedures are built. Hungary has long been a key player in European clinical research and continues to possess significant professional experience, infrastructure, and research capacity in this field.
Between 2015 and 2024, nearly 90,000 Hungarian patients participated in clinical trials, which clearly demonstrates the importance of the domestic system and the active role of patients in innovation. Hungary remains a stable player: 200–250 new clinical trials are launched each year, and in 2024 the country ranked 8th in the European Union in terms of the number of active trials.
At the same time, the international environment is changing dynamically, creating new opportunities for adaptation and development. The strengthening global competition for clinical research encourages countries—including Hungary—to further develop their research environments, increase efficiency, and enhance their attractiveness for international trials.
Clinical trials are of outstanding importance not only from a healthcare perspective, but also from an economic one. Participating patients can access innovative therapies free of charge, often years before their widespread availability, while the research generates significant added value for both the healthcare system and the national economy. Based on international experience, this value in Hungary may reach up to HUF 100 billion annually.
The strengthening regional competition—especially from Poland and the Czech Republic—also represents an opportunity: it draws attention to further development directions and encourages cooperation among policymakers, industry, and institutions. Creating a predictable, fast, and patient-centered research environment can be key for Hungary to further strengthen its position.
AIPM’s goal is to actively contribute to the development of a competitive and predictable environment that supports clinical research and ensures that Hungarian patients continue to have access to the most advanced therapies.
Clinical trials in a global and European context
The importance of clinical trials is continuously increasing at the global level: they form the basis of innovative drug development while also having an increasingly significant economic and social impact. Europe remains a key player in this field and has substantial knowledge, research infrastructure, and professional expertise.
Industry-sponsored clinical trials generate approximately €35.7 billion in added value annually in Europe and support more than 165,000 jobs. This impact is realized not only directly, but also through supply chains and innovation partnerships, strengthening the competitiveness of the European economy.
One of the most important values of clinical research is that it accelerates access to new therapies, thereby improving the health status of the population. As a result, nearly 27 million lost working days can be avoided each year in Europe, representing more than €10 billion in economic value.
Clinical trials therefore simultaneously contribute to patients’ early access to innovative treatments (even 5–10 years before market introduction), to improving the efficiency of healthcare systems, and to high value-added economic growth.
The continuous transformation of the global research landscape creates both new challenges and opportunities. The number of clinical trials is growing dynamically worldwide, while more and more regions are becoming actively involved in research. In this competition, those countries can stand out that provide a fast, predictable, and innovation-friendly environment.
According to international analyses, even moderate growth can yield significant results: an increase in the number of clinical trials could generate an additional €4–18 billion in economic value in Europe and support the creation of tens of thousands of new jobs.
In this environment, it is particularly important that Europe—and within it Hungary—continues to strengthen its research capacities and attractiveness. AIPM’s goal is to contribute to ensuring that Hungary remains an active, visible, and competitive player in the international clinical research ecosystem, and continues to provide patients with early access to innovative therapies.
