EFGCP Conference 2026

Europe is at a defining moment for clinical research. The Clinical Trials Regulation set out a powerful vision: a continent united by transparency, collaboration, and efficient access to innovation. While its implementation brought both progress and pressure, it confirmed something essential—Europe’s commitment to ethics, quality, and patient protection remains unwavering.

National ethical review is a vital strength of Europe’s clinical research landscape. Ethics committees play a key role in ensuring trials uphold human dignity, scientific integrity, and public trust. Their contribution, together with the regulatory authorities' risk-benefit review, forms the foundation of a credible and high‑quality research ecosystem. By further strengthening the collaborative partnership, Europe can achieve an ethical review process that is both protective and efficiently aligned with the needs of modern clinical research.

Today, national ethical review stands at the centre of the conference discussion. Ethics committees face growing complexity; sponsors navigate longer reviews and more information requests. These challenges highlight not failure, but opportunity: the chance to rethink how Europe aligns ethical excellence with operational efficiency.

In addition, the European Commission’s proposed new Biotech Act offers a fresh pathway—clearer roles, streamlined processes, and modern ethical standards grounded in the 2024 Declaration of Helsinki. It invites us to shape a system worthy of Europe’s innovation leadership ambitions.

The EFGCP Conference 2026 is where this work begins. Here, stakeholders from across Europe come together to share best practice experiences, challenge assumptions, and co‑create practical solutions to optimise the system. Our goal is simple and ambitious: to strengthen participant protection while enabling efficient, faster, more predictable clinical trial authorisations and start up times.

Together, we have the opportunity to build an ethical review model that reflects Europe at its best—responsible, collaborative, transparent and ready to lead the next chapter of global research.

NEW:
Registering to this event now grant free participation to the complementary Virtual Pre-Conference Workshop, select "Combined Events" after clicking on "Register Here" on this page to benefit from this offer.
Join us early on site on the 12th of May to get the opportunity to Network with colleagues around a coffee, and enjoy a Lunch* before the Main Conference starts!
A Networking Dinner* is also planned on the 12th of May evening, after the closure of the day.

*Registrants will be contacted after settling their registration on the website to confirm their participation to networking events and provide their diet requirements.