What is WCN in short and what does your organisation stand for?
'WCN is a dedicated group of experienced cardiologists and qualified research professionals from nearly 60 hospitals throughout the Netherlands. Since the network’s foundation in 1988, we and our dedicated staff have collaborated with many pharmaceutical and academic partners in numerous clinical trials. The investigational network of WCN strongly believes in enhancing healthcare for our patients by conducting high quality industry sponsored and investigator initiated clinical trials.'
What does WCN hope to get out of the partnership with the DCVA?
'Currently our network of experienced cardiologists and qualified research professionals has a strong position in the field of cardiovascular research. From initiating and funding randomized clinical trials, to data collection and validation; our network of over a thousand committed healthcare professionals is equipped for the task. Despite all this, we need to evolve to stay in a leading role in the changing world of clinical cardiovascular research. The collaboration with all scientific-, and health professional consortia within the DCVA makes it easier to strongly position WCN in cardiovascular health and science.
Furthermore one important development, is the move towards registry based clinical research. In many areas the traditional method of a large multinational randomized clinical trial simply becomes too expensive. The data generated from usual clinical care can be at least as valuable and can also give answers to important questions. The institution of a nationwide registry encompasses a difficult challenge that can only be met by an alliance like the DCVA. By cooperating we strive to deliver a unique contribution, especially for the introduction and follow up of new medical compounds.'
What does WCN add to the DCVA, why should we be happy that WCN is participating? Who ultimately benefits the most?
'WCN positions itself as a key player in the field of clinical research and as the representative of all associated non-academic cardiovascular institutes in the Netherlands. We partner with pharmaceutical companies, contract research organisations (CRO) and academic research organisations (ARO) from trial design to publication. Our network members are experienced professionals with excellent knowledge of clinical research. Together with qualified research professionals and dedicated staff, WCN ensures quality in clinical research. From start to finish, we maintain a reliable association throughout the collaboration. Focus on our patients’ health is at the heart of all we do. WCN is a dedicated partner and delivers high quality clinical research.
Within the DCVA all participating consortia will benefit from the collaboration. This is fact for cardiovascular research in the Netherlands in general, but ultimately our patients should profit most!'
Question from Health~Holland
Health Holland and the supporting governmental departments have published a new Knowledge and Innovation Agenda 2020-2023 and defined a coalition with many partners. Prevention is one of the main topics. How can WCN and their research network contribute to prevention? And how do we bring together research results to clinical practice, together with industry and other stakeholders? Is WCN willing to become a partner in this new coalition?
'Prevention is pivotal in containing the burden of cardiovascular disease in the upcoming decades, and WCN fully supports this. We are interested to investigate whether our expertise and knowledge can contribute in this coalition, within the scope of our network described above.'