Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan

The event discusses the management of clinical trials following the outbreak of the pandemic. It introduces the recent developments in translational medicine research services and data management at Taipei Medical University (TMU). Additionally, it shares the status of clinical trials conducted by the Taiwan Clinical Trials Alliance during the pandemic.

Taipei Medical University (TMU) hosted the "East Asia Regional Clinical Trials Alliance International Forum and TMU Clinical Trial Alliance Conference" (REACTA Virtual Forum 2021 & TMU Clinical Trial Alliance Conference) on November 6, 2021. Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held in a hybrid format, combining both in-person and online participation. Over 20 experts with outstanding experience and achievements in clinical trials from South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and other countries were invited as speakers. Domestic scholars also joined the event to engage in discussions, which sparked many potential collaborations in clinical trials.

The conference opened with a keynote speech by David Lee, Chief Scientific Officer of Novartis, who shared the pharmaceutical industry's drug development strategies and global perspectives, offering new insights on the future of the global market amidst the ongoing pandemic. He also expressed strong support and encouragement for the "East Asia Regional Clinical Trials Alliance Cooperation."

The conference focused on topics such as the management of clinical trials post-pandemic, developments in translational medicine research services and data management at TMU in recent years, and the situation of clinical trials in Taiwan during the pandemic. In 2021, as countries faced severe pandemic challenges and hospitals were overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients, TMU remained dedicated to organizing the event, exemplifying its spirit of unity and collaboration.

The future goal is to foster joint research and development in areas such as new drug development, medical devices, new indications, and the application of AI technologies. Through substantial mutual assistance, the aim is to promote the conduct of international clinical trials in the East Asia region. Continuing the tradition of the East Asia Regional Clinical Trials Alliance (REACTA), the event sought to advance clinically valuable trials even amid the pandemic, ultimately improving the health and quality of life for populations across East Asia.

In the afternoon session, TMU Clinical Trial Alliance and various participating hospitals, including Taipei City Hospital, En Chu Kong Hospital, Taoyuan General Hospital, Tung's Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, Chiayi Christian Hospital, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Chimei Medical Center, and Luodong Saint Mary’s Hospital, presented their strengths, potential, and directions for collaboration. TMU also shared three investigator-initiated trials (IITs) currently underway, attracting other alliance hospitals to collaborate in recruitment and execution after the conference. The goal was to establish a cross-hospital, multi-center IIT collaboration team within the TMU Clinical Trial Alliance.