What is EUPATI?
The European Patients’ Academy for Therapeutic Innovation (EUPATI) is a unique pan-European educational initiative established as a partnership between the public and private sectors and other stakeholders. Its main goal is to provide patients and their representatives with the knowledge and skills needed to actively participate in drug research and development.
EUPATI bases its activities on three pillars summarized in the IVS concept:
- Information: Ensuring the availability of impartial and reliable information on research, drug development, and other health technologies.
- Education: Expanding educational initiatives and training programs for patients, researchers, and pharmaceutical industry professionals so that they can effectively involve patient representatives in research.
- Collaboration: Strengthening interaction and cooperation among patients, the scientific community, regulatory agencies, and pharmaceutical companies, thereby contributing to a better understanding of and innovation in healthcare.
EUPATI in a Global Context
At the international level, EUPATI significantly strengthens the role of patients in decision-making processes related to drug development. The platform facilitates the sharing of knowledge, experiences, and opinions among patients, researchers, regulatory authorities, and pharmaceutical companies, thereby creating an environment in which every participating partner can effectively contribute to improving the quality and safety of new treatments.
EUPATI in the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic has been participating in the educational program since its pilot launch in 2023 and its successful first year in 2024. This year, the second edition of EUPATI is once again underway—this time under the auspices of the Minister of Health.
The Czech branch of the program focuses on strengthening the capacity of patient organizations through comprehensive training that covers the entire journey of medicinal products—from historical milestones and development, through clinical trials, to market launch. The program consists of six educational modules, including:
- Drug Discovery and Drug Development Planning
- Nonclinical Testing and Pharmaceutical Development
- Exploratory Clinical Development
- Clinical evaluation
- Regulatory Affairs, Drug Safety, Pharmacovigilance, and Pharmacoepidemiology
- Principles and Procedures of HTA (Health Technology Assessment)
We collaborate with leading institutions such as the State Institute for Drug Control ( SÚKL ), the Association of the Innovative Pharmaceutical Industry (AIFP), CZECRIN, and Hlas pacientů, which represents the patient community, along with other experts. This makes the Czech branch of EUPATI a key platform for education and for strengthening the advisory role of patients.
The Roles of CZECRIN and CREATIC, and the Profile of PharmDr. Lenka Součková, Ph.D.
CZECRIN (Czech National Network for Clinical Research) plays a key role in the Czech implementation of the EUPATI program. As a leading national network, it specializes in supporting and developing modern approaches in the field of clinical research. CZECRIN’s main activities include:
- Conduct and Coordination of Clinical Trials: Facilitates the design and implementation of high-quality clinical trials while adhering to the strictest safety and ethical standards.
- Sharing Expertise and Experience: It serves as a platform for collaboration among academic institutions, healthcare facilities, and the pharmaceutical industry, facilitating the rapid transfer of innovations into clinical practice.
- Support for Education and Development: Strengthens the ability of researchers and patient organizations to actively participate in the development of new therapeutic methods.
- Project Management and Quality Assurance: The company has extensive experience in project management, data management, and statistical analysis, thereby ensuring the high quality of the studies it conducts.
The Czech National Network for Clinical Research (CZECRIN) is part of the Center of Excellence at Masaryk University (MUNI ) | CREATIC, Faculty of Medicine, which focuses on advanced clinical research and the translation of scientific knowledge into practice. CREATIC promotes innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, providing a strong professional foundation for the implementation of complex research projects.
Profile of PharmDr. Lenka Součková, Ph.D.
PharmDr. Lenka Součková, Ph.D., is a leading expert who serves as the European correspondent for ECRIN (European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network) for the Czech Republic and is also an assistant professor at the Institute of Pharmacology at Masaryk University. Her extensive expertise in clinical research, methodology, regulatory science, and education is underpinned by the wealth of experience she gained while working as a clinical pharmacist in an intensive care unit and in the pediatric oncology department. Among her key achievements is leading the Clinical Trials Department at St. Anne’s University Hospital in Brno (FNUSA) / FNUSA-ICRC (2009–2014), where she laid the groundwork for coordinating clinical trials and ensuring their quality at St. Anne’s University Hospital in Brno. She holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and a PhD in anesthesiology, algesiology, and intensive care medicine, and is actively involved in a number of international grants that, among other things, support education in the field of clinical trials. Her professional expertise significantly helps EUPATI program participants better understand the complex processes of drug development and regulatory frameworks, thereby strengthening the partnership between patients and experts.
Conclusion
EUPATI represents a path toward comprehensive and collaborative partnership among patients, researchers, and regulatory experts. It provides the tools and knowledge that enable patients to become active and informed partners in decision-making about the future of health care. Thanks to projects like this, an environment is created where, by joining forces, we can develop higher-quality and safer treatment options—both on the European and Czech stages.