Obtaining clinical trial approval (CTA)

Starting with the process, the sponsor must apply for certification to conduct a Clinical Trial Authorisation (CTA) for clinical investigations. Under the EU Clinical Trial Regulation (CTR 536/2014), sponsors are required to use the Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) to apply for authorization to conduct clinical trials within the European Union and European Economic Area.

CTIS serves as a single entry point for sponsors and regulators, streamlining the process and improving transparency across member states.

Sponsors submit a single clinical trial application dossier through CTIS, which is valid across all selected EU/EEA countries.

The dossier is divided into Part I (scientific and technical data) and Part II (country-specific and ethical data), allowing simultaneous assessment by multiple Member States.

A Reporting Member State is designated to coordinate the Part I assessment, while each concerned Member State evaluates Part II.