Publications and news
Publications by SGS CPU
Discover the latest news updates, press releases, and scientific insights from the SGS Clinical Pharmacology Unit (SGS CPU) research center in Edegem, Antwerp. Read about our collaborations, groundbreaking initiatives, and featured interviews that highlight clinical drug research in Belgium and across Europe. Stay informed about current developments in vaccine and therapy development, innovations in medical research, and our impact within the sector.
Gazet van Antwerpen: SGS develops its own RSV virus to test medicines
At its research center in Antwerp, SGS is testing a self developed RSV virus in healthy volunteers. With this innovative approach, we are strengthening our expertise in challenge studies and actively contributing to the development of new vaccines and treatments for respiratory infections.
The article in Gazet van Antwerpen highlights both the scientific ambition behind this project and the crucial role of our volunteers in clinical research. Together in Antwerp, we continue to advance medical progress.
Article: Compensation in clinical research: how does it work and what can you expect?
Many people wonder whether taking part in clinical research also comes with compensation. The short answer is yes. In this article we clearly explain why compensation is provided, how it is determined, and what you can expect when you take part in a clinical study.
Personal experience
Volunteer in clinical research at SGS CPU in Edegem: Anita shares her experience
Anita has been participating in clinical studies at the SGS Clinical Pharmacology Unit in Edegem for 16 years. In this interview she shares her personal experience as a volunteer and clearly explains how participation works, from medical assessment and selection to medical follow-up and aftercare. Her story shows how clinical drug research is carried out in practice in a safe, transparent and people-focused way, and why contributing to medical progress is central to her motivation.
Press release
SGS Develops New RSV Challenge Agent at Antwerp Research Facility: Accelerating Vaccine and Therapy Development in Europe
Antwerp, December 9, 2025 – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection, and certification company, announces a major breakthrough in research on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). From its research facility in Edegem (SGS Clinical Pharmacology Unit), SGS has developed a new RSV challenge agent: a controlled infection method that reproduces natural infection symptoms. This technology enables vaccines and treatments to be tested more efficiently and safely in healthy volunteers, helping to make new vaccines available faster.
Collaboration with Vaccinopolis (UAntwerpen)
SGS Clinical Pharmacology Unit (SGS CPU) joins forces with Vaccinopolis (Uantwerpen)
These two expert organizations announce a first collaboration in human challenge trials in Antwerp, which will accelerate the development of novel vaccines and therapeutics.
Dr. Annick van Riel, director of SGS CPU: "This collaboration puts Antwerp on the map as CHIM hub: two neighbouring, wellestablished organisations, with state-of-the-art, complementary facilities, partnering to support authorities, pharmaceutical and biotech companies in their process towards pandemic preparedness."
Interview in focus
"The setting makes us one of the leading units in Europe"
No medicine or vaccine enters the market without first being extensively tested. This is where global player SGS CPU has a crucial role to play.
A year ago, it opened a new research unit at the University Hospital Antwerp site. In recent years, finding new study volunteers has become more difficult.
"Nevertheless, participants serve a great social interest."
Read the full interview of Voka magazine in conversation with Dr. Annick van Riel (Director Clinical Pharmacology Unit) & Johan Pype (Managing Director Benelux).
SGS CPU in the media
Drone Logistics
Blood sample transportation
On 25 September 2022, successful drone flights took place between the Helix hospital network campus UZA and the GZA Hospitals - ZNA - Ziekenhuis Netwerk Antwerpen - campus Middelheim. The drone transported for the first time in Europe over populated area and Beyond Visual Line Of Sight (BVLOS) blood samples that are part of a clinical study at SGS Clinical Pharmacology Unit (SGS CPU).
The SGS CPU supports medicine development by conducting clinical studies in healthy subjects and patients. From its facility located at the UZA campus in Edegem, clinical laboratory safety samples are transported by courier multiple times daily to hospital-based laboratories of Clinical Biology. Analysis of these samples should be done shortly after sample taking, to allow quick decision making by the clinical study physician to ensure the medical safety of the study participants. For this reason, drone logistics, which is faster and more sustainable, is being tested.
The flights were performed by drone airline (operator) Helicus. They are the first in Europe to obtain permission to fly above a city and out of the pilot's field of view (i.e. fully computer-controlled) under current EU legislation. This flight will further contribute learnings towards full integrated and automated drone based medical transport.
