CLINICAL LINK

ACTT’s quarterly update for our sponsors, partners and collaborators. 
Sharing key milestones, research activity, business growth, opportunities to engage, and the collective impact made possible through our work together.

In the April 2026 issue:

1. Gold accreditation
2. PPD Select Partnership Program
3. CRANZ - Clinical Research Alliance NZ
4. Business update
5. Event and sponsorship opportunities

Gold-level accreditation achieved - delivering clinical trials to an internationally recognised standard

We are very proud to announce ACTT has achieved re-accreditation under the International Accrediting Organization for Clinical Research (IAOCR) Global Quality Standard for Clinical Research Sites (GSCA) reaffirming the operational excellence that underpins our clinical research delivery.

In addition, ACTT has now achieved Gold level certification for the IAOCR Workforce Process Quality Certification (WPQC) - a milestone driven by our people and delivered with consistency, quality and momentum.

This accreditation has been awarded for ACTT’s Middlemore and Whangārei Hospital sites for the third consecutive year and reinforces ACTT’s position as a globally benchmarked, trusted delivery partner for sponsors - delivering clinical trials to an international recognised standard.

Read more.

Strengthening our partnership with the PPD clinical research business of Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Our long-standing collaboration with the PPD clinical research business of Thermo Fisher Scientific has now evolved into our inclusion in the PPD Select Partnership Program. 

This milestone reflects a shared commitment to delivering high-quality, globally connected clinical research. By aligning more closely, we strengthen our ability to support complex Phase Ib–III trials, combining global expertise with local capability across our two sites in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

We look forward to continuing to work alongside the PPD clinical research team to bring more clinical trials to Aotearoa New Zealand, advancing research through collaboration and delivering better outcomes for the communities we serve. 

Strengthening National Research Capability

Aotearoa Clinical Trials (ACTT) and Medical Research Institute NZ (MRINZ)  have established the Clinical Research Alliance New Zealand (CRANZ) to strengthen national coordination and expand delivery of high‑quality clinical trials by the development of a grant trial national network throughout Aotearoa-New Zealand.

Read the media release here.

BUSINESS UPDATE

Commercial Research Portfolio

• ACTT continues to manage a substantial industry‑sponsored portfolio with 50+ global sponsors. Currently there is a large pipeline of trials targeting obesity and associated diabetic conditions as well as novel immunotherapies for dermatology, gastroenterology and rheumatology
• An upcoming trial introduces a new oral therapy for hereditary haemochromatosis, offering a potential alternative to venesection.
• ACTT supported the activation of a complex Phase 3 anticoagulant‑reversal trial, requiring coordinated Emergency, Haematology, Surgical and Anaesthetics input. This study will potentially address a critical treatment gap in New Zealand.

Grant‑Funded Research

• ACTT is currently managing 61 investigator‑led trials across 15+ clinical departments.
• Middlemore Hospital has recruited 21 participants to the BALANCE+ platform trial since December 2025, supporting global efforts to optimise treatment strategies for Gram‑negative bloodstream infections.

Network Performance

• >90% participant retention sustained across commercial trials.
• Recruitment targets exceeded in multiple Phase II–III studies.
• Recent internal audits and external sponsor audits confirm strong compliance across both sites.

Regional Research: Whangārei Hospital

• The Whangārei research site continues to demonstrate strong performance for example meeting recruitment targets in a timely manner and performing well at internal and external audits. This strong performance is resulting in an increase in sponsor interest in performing trials in Whangārei.
• The site has delivered a Phase 3 trial in advanced ER‑positive, HER2‑negative breast cancer, receiving patient referrals from Auckland.
• This expands access to advanced cancer treatments in Northland and strengthens regional clinical research capability.