gms | German Medical Science

Purpose: retina.net was initiated to generate evidence for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in retinology by performing clinical trials. Its focus is long-term assurance of quality and patient security according to ICH-GCP.

Methods: The creation of retina.net aims at establishing a professional infrastructure for performing multicenter clinical trials. The coordination center at the CTC Cologne serves as base of a national research network. This yields in acceleration of the transfer of scientific evidence to clinical practice and therefore in amelioration of patient care.Main function of the coordination center is to serve with advice in the context of clinical trials such as study conception, regulatory affairs and quality assurance, as well as competent assistance in acquiring third-party funds (Financial planning, applications) and performing clinical trials.

Results: Based on a two years funding (Jackstaedt-Stiftung, together with RG and DOG) rhe coordination center at the CTC Cologne has been implemented and a charter is present. Structures and processes have become effective. Advice has been povided successfully for multiple projects in terms of Conception and Planning.

Conclusions: retina.net stands for scientific excellence and GCP in clinical research in federation of strong scientific partners as an active network associating methodological, regulatory and clinical expertise.