Karachi – The Clinical Trials Summit of Pakistan 2025 has set a new benchmark for the country’s healthcare and medical research landscape. Hosted by the Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) at Aga Khan University (AKU), in collaboration with the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), this two-day event gathered top healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers to discuss the latest advancements, challenges, and trends in clinical trials.
Advancing Medical Research in Pakistan
Dr. Saeed Hamid, Director of the Clinical Trials Unit at AKU, highlighted the importance of participating in global clinical trials, stating:
“One satisfying aspect of participating in global clinical trials is the opportunity for our patients to experience cutting-edge therapies for diseases, such as hepatitis Delta, which currently have no approved treatment available.”
The summit featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, and expert-led sessions covering a wide range of topics, including regulatory frameworks, innovation in clinical trials, ethical considerations, patient-centric approaches, and research on rare diseases.
International Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
Dr. Bin Chen, CEO of HuaHui Health, praised the conference for fostering collaboration, saying:
“The conference was an exceptional platform for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing.”
One of the notable discussions focused on strengthening Pakistan’s clinical trial infrastructure by adopting global best practices. A session on regulatory frameworks, chaired by Dr. Obaidullah, Director of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), and Mr. Abdullah Abro, Chair of the Clinical Studies Committee at DRAP, emphasized the need for streamlined policies to support clinical research in the country.
Spotlight on Oncology Research and Global Inclusion
The summit also addressed the growing importance of oncology clinical trials. Dr. Khalid Matin, Professor of Medicine at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, USA, underscored the need for global collaboration in cancer research, stating:
“We need to work together to ensure the inclusion of patient populations globally in cancer research. Access to clinical trials is an important part of the standard of care in oncology.”
Similarly, Dr. Shalaan Beg, Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Texas, highlighted the role of clinical trials in shaping Pakistan’s healthcare future:
“The Clinical Trials Summit was an essential step in aligning government regulators, the pharmaceutical industry, and local clinical trial infrastructure to bring more trials to Pakistan.”
Strengthening Pakistan’s Clinical Trials Ecosystem
Established in 2011, Aga Khan University’s Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) continues to be a driving force in advancing clinical research in Pakistan. With the country facing a higher-than-average disease burden, the summit reinforced the urgent need for innovative research and patient access to clinical trials.
As the summit concluded, healthcare leaders expressed optimism about the future of clinical trials in Pakistan, paving the way for new treatments, better healthcare policies, and increased participation in global research initiatives.