Patient studies at SGS CPU
Clinical studies for patients in Belgium
Living with a medical condition often comes with many challenges. You want to be able to rely on care that meets your needs and on information that helps you make informed decisions about your health. It is completely understandable that you may wonder whether a clinical study could be an option for you and what participation actually involves.
At the SGS Clinical Pharmacology Unit (SGS CPU), we work not only with healthy volunteers but also with patients who wish to contribute to the development of new treatments and the improvement of existing therapies. We take the time to assess, together with you and, if appropriate, your treating physician, whether a clinical study is suitable for your health status, diagnosis, current medication and the study's eligibility criteria.
Participating in a clinical study may provide access to an investigational treatment that is not yet widely available. At the same time, it is important to understand that participation does not guarantee an improvement in your health. Clinical studies may also involve additional examinations, study visits or the possibility of side effects. That is why we carefully explain the purpose of the study, what participation involves, what is expected of you, and the potential benefits and risks before you decide whether to take part. This helps ensure that participation is safe, well informed and appropriate for your individual situation.
Our expertise in clinical research provides the foundation for reliable patient studies
SGS Clinical Pharmacology Unit (SGS CPU), located on the UZA campus in Edegem, Belgium, is a specialised clinical research centre with many years of experience in clinical trials, primarily in the early phases of drug development. We conduct these studies on behalf of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in accordance with study protocols approved by the relevant regulatory authorities and in compliance with applicable regulations.
Our research bridges the gap between preclinical laboratory research and the availability of new medicines for patients. People who participate in a clinical study at SGS CPU are known as Pioneers: study participants who help advance the development of new medicines and contribute to improving existing treatments.
completed patient studies
therapeutic areas
patients in our database
years of experience in clinical research
Which medical conditions do we conduct patient studies for?
Our clinical research unit conducts patient studies across a range of therapeutic areas. The availability of studies depends on our current research portfolio, but may include:
- Respiratory diseases
- Gastrointestinal and liver diseases
- Metabolic disorders
- Endocrine disorders
- Rheumatological diseases
- Dermatological conditions
- Immunological disorders
- Infectious diseases
- Neurological disorders
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Vaccine studies
Not every therapeutic area is active at all times. If you would like to stay informed about upcoming and ongoing clinical studies that may be relevant to your medical condition, we invite you to register in our patient database. Whenever a study becomes available that may be suitable for you, we will let you know so you can decide whether participation is of interest.
If you are interested, we will carefully assess together whether participation is appropriate and safe for your individual situation.
What does participation in a patient study involve?
If you are invited to attend a screening visit at SGS Clinical Pharmacology Unit (SGS CPU), you will meet with the physician to discuss the purpose of the study, the planned procedures, the potential benefits and risks, and the practical aspects of participation. You will receive all the information you need and have the opportunity to ask any questions. We encourage you to take the time to discuss the study with your family or treating physician before making a decision.
You will only be asked to sign the informed consent form once everything is clear and all your questions have been answered. Even after signing the consent form, you remain free to withdraw from the study at any time, without giving a reason and without affecting your future medical care.
You will then undergo several medical assessments, such as blood pressure measurements, a review of your medical history and current medication, as well as weight and urine tests, to determine whether you meet all the eligibility criteria for the study.
If the screening results confirm that you are eligible to participate, we will contact you to discuss the study schedule in detail. Not every patient study requires a stay at our clinical research unit. Some studies are conducted on an outpatient basis, allowing you to return home after your visit. Others require a short or longer stay, depending on the study protocol. The study procedures, schedule and duration will always be explained to you in advance.
During your visit or stay, you will be cared for by an experienced medical team available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Depending on the study and the length of your stay, meals, rest periods and access to the facilities at our unit will be provided.
Would you like to see what our clinical research unit looks like before your visit? Explore our facilities.
Is a patient study right for me?
Whether a patient study is suitable for you depends on several factors, including your medical condition, your overall health, your current or previous treatments, the medication you are taking and the specific eligibility criteria of the study. As a result, not every patient is eligible for every clinical study. Sometimes, the screening assessments show that participation is not possible or not medically appropriate. Even if you are motivated to take part, your safety always comes first. If a study is not suitable for you, we will explain this clearly and discuss the reasons with you.
Your safety comes first
The safety and well-being of our participants are our highest priorities. All clinical studies at SGS CPU are conducted under medical supervision and in accordance with Belgian legislation and internationally recognised Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines. Before a study can begin, it must be reviewed and approved by the competent Belgian health authorities and an independent Ethics Committee.
Your personal and medical information is handled confidentially and in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. Participation is always voluntary, and you are free to withdraw from a study at any time without giving a reason. Would you like to learn more about how we protect the safety of our participants? Read more here.
Working together with your treating physician
A clinical study is never intended to replace your regular medical care. With your permission, our study team can share relevant information with your general practitioner or treating specialist to help ensure that your medical care remains well coordinated throughout the study. Referring physicians are also welcome to contact our team to discuss whether a clinical study may be appropriate for one of their patients.
Reimbursement for your time and commitment
All study-related procedures, examinations and investigational treatments are funded by the study sponsor. This means you will not have to pay for any procedures that are part of the clinical study. Medical care that is unrelated to the study may not be covered. Every clinical study is insured in accordance with applicable legislation. The details of the insurance coverage and study procedures are always explained in the information leaflets and the informed consent form. Depending on the study, you may receive reimbursement for your time and travel expenses. The applicable reimbursement amounts are listed on the individual study pages and in the study information.
Interested in a patient study?
If you would like to find out whether there is a clinical study that matches your medical condition, you can easily browse our ongoing patient studies by selecting the "Patient" filter.
If you cannot find a suitable study at the moment, you can register in My Pioneer and keep your information up to date. This allows us to notify you as soon as a new patient study becomes available that may be relevant to your medical condition. By registering, you take your first step as a pioneer in clinical research, someone who helps shape the healthcare of tomorrow.
