The European Commission (EC), the Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA) and EMA have published their first report tracking progress against the EU’s new clinical trial targets. Established in 2025, these targets aim to strengthen the European Union’s (EU) position as a leading destination for clinical research while improving patients’ timely access to innovative medicines.

Covering activity from 1 January 2026 to the end of March 2026, the report highlights early progress towards these ambitions:

• Increase in multinational trials: 19 multinational clinical trials have been authorised in addition to the historical average, bringing the EU closer to its goal of 500 extra multinational trials by the end of 2030.
• Faster recruitment timelines: currently, 40.5% of the total number of clinical trials recruit participants within 200 days from application submission. The EU target is 66% by 2030.

Preliminary data collected after March 2026 indicate a continuing positive increase…