2019 REACTA Forum in Japan

Clinical trial stakeholders extend beyond academia to include industry and regulatory authorities. As such, there is a growing need for networks that enable dialogue on trial methodologies and global trends across sectors. The Region Asia Clinical Trial Association (REACTA) was established in 2013 as an international alliance of research institutions from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Malaysia. Each year, REACTA hosts a scientific forum to foster cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange. Chiba University hosted the forum in both 2015 and 2019, welcoming speakers from academia, government, and the pharmaceutical industry.

At the 2019 forum, REACTA featured in-depth discussions on five critical and timely topics: innovative clinical trial approaches, regenerative medicine, clinical development and pharmaceutical strategies in Asia, Asia-specific diseases, and initiatives led by academic research organizations (AROs). Twenty experts delivered presentations and led panel discussions, while ARO representatives from all four countries shared perspectives on REACTA’s future direction. The forum also generated proposals for collaborative clinical trials targeting diseases prevalent in Asia, reinforcing REACTA’s role as a platform for sustained regional cooperation.