The State Expert Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine has published an Information Report on the state of clinical trials for the first half of 2026. Despite the challenges of martial law, the sector continues to demonstrate confident growth, competitiveness and active integration into the European space.
During the first six months of the year, the field of clinical trials maintained high investment attractiveness for both international and Ukrainian medicinal product developers. Currently, 248 active trials are being conducted in the country at various stages, while a further 56 have received official approval by orders of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. The number of new trials increased by 28,5% compared with the same period last year and reached 45 trials. Most trials are currently being conducted in such therapeutic areas as rheumatology, gastroenterology, oncology, pulmonology, cardiology and others.
The unwavering observance of the rights, safety and well-being of trial participants remains a key priority for the State Expert Center. During the first half of the year, the Center's specialists processed 5,8 thousand reports of adverse reactions, as well as 89 safety reports on investigational products. During this period, only six cases of relocating patients to safe areas within the country or abroad were recorded, which indicates high trust in Ukrainian medical centers and their compliance with international Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards. In addition, the Center actively supports expanded access programs, which allow patients to receive innovative treatment free of charge even after the trial has ended. During the reporting period, three such programs were updated and two new ones were reviewed.
An important component of quality assurance is constant dialogue with the professional community and the public. Today, the State Expert Center provides information and methodological support to the network of local ethics committees, which already unites 390 contacts. It constantly maintains contact with patient organizations in order to take their needs into account as much as possible in daily practice.
This year has also been a landmark one in terms of digital transformation. Since April, the State Expert Center has introduced the possibility of submitting applications for clinical trials and substantial amendments through the Applicant's Electronic Cabinet. Modernization of the official online service "List of Clinical Trials in Ukraine" is ongoing, which will make the clinical research system in Ukraine as simple, open and transparent as possible for citizens.
All these innovations are taking place against the backdrop of a large-scale update of legislation. Specialists of the Center, in close cooperation with market representatives, continue to adapt the regulatory framework to EU standards and the requirements of the new Law of Ukraine "On Medicinal Products". The professional level of Ukrainian experts is constantly growing thanks to international institutional development programs, in particular through Twinning instruments and other leading European educational initiatives.
The full version of the report and detailed statistical data can be found in the State Expert Center's Information Note at the link.
