Advantage Australia: Accelagen Showcases Australia’s Clinical Trial Edge on European Stage
Accelagen represented Australian clinical research on a recent European conference roadshow from OCT Europe in Barcelona to Swiss Biotech Day in Basel. European investment and optimism around clinical therapy development is booming, and the advantages of conducting clinical research in Australia are clearer than ever.
Insights from OCT Europe and Swiss Biotech Day
Accelagen’s recent European roadshow provided insight into the priorities and emerging challenges of clinical therapy development across the globe. With key appearances at Outsourcing Clinical Trials (OCT) Europe 2025 in Barcelona, and Swiss Biotech Day in Basel, Accelagen were able to explore collaboration opportunities and highlight Australia’s unique advantages for conducting clinical trials, while deepening ties with key European stakeholders in the biotech and pharma industries.
According to Chief Growth and Commercial Officer Mathew Palmer, the events demonstrated “a really good appetite for conducting clinical work,” amidst a background of concerns around funding and regulatory agency uncertainty. For Accelagen, it was an opportunity to engage with companies seeking to expand their development capabilities and to position Australia as a strategic location for clinical trials, emphasising its quality of research, streamlined regulatory processes, and attractive R&D tax incentives.
Demonstrating CRO Excellence to Global Audiences
Amidst a crowd of more than 500 attendees at OCT, Accelagen was in its element as a CRO. With over 50 Phase I trials completed in Australia and New Zealand, the company was able to offer a cost effective alternative to traditional clinical hubs in Europe and the US.
This was echoed at Swiss Biotech Day, where Accelagen partnered with Crux Biolabs, Veritus Research, and RDI Partners to showcase an end-to-end trial solution to over 3000 attendees. The demonstration aligned with the growing industry demand for integrated services and simple trial operation.
Despite the common concern of clinical research funding in Europe, an appetite for development was apparent in conversations around new partnerships and investment readiness. “There was certainly the feeling of optimism that things could move forward.” Palmer notes.
Why Australia is Gaining Attention for Clinical Research
The Australian R&D tax incentive was a consistent point of interest, particularly among companies seeking to make the most of available funds. Combined with Accelagen’s flexible pricing model, it presents a compelling alternative to larger CROs.
A recurring theme across events was the challenge of navigating complex regulatory processes, and that many companies struggle to determine when they are ready to transition from preclinical to clinical phases. Accelagen draws on 15 years of regulatory and early phase trial experience to assist clients in these pivotal moments. “Operational expertise backed up with know-how and regulatory expertise has been fundamental in how we can assist these customers,” Palmer explains.
Innovation was another hot topic as attendees discussed the growing influence of AI, digital health, and patient focused approaches which all align closely with Accelagen’s commitment to technological development and ethics.
Driving Innovation Through Technology and Ethics
Palmer, who brings three decades of pharma experience to the company, emphasised the importance of balancing innovation with value. “We don’t want to mindlessly conduct activities that are not required,” he said. “What we need to do is partner with companies to enhance those strategic deliverables that move an asset from Phase I through the development cycle to patients. This also drives asset investment and future licensing partnerships.”
In practical terms, Accelagen is focused on implementing tools that improve the efficiency of trials without compromising on cost. The philosophy of careful planning and purposeful innovation is a key aspect of its value as a partner for clients in clinical research.
One notable interaction during the roadshow involved a European cell therapy company facing manufacturing hurdles. Discussions with Accelagen’s team led to a potential collaboration with Australian partners, demonstrating how the company’s global network and problem solving can provide tailored solutions for clinical therapy developers. “We want to come in as a trusted partner, not a vendor,” Palmer says, contrasting Accelagen’s bespoke approach with the transactional nature of larger CRO’s.
Looking Ahead: Accelagen’s Commitment to Global Expansion
Positive feedback received during the roadshow helped further emphasise Accelagen’s commitment to establishing relationships with clients. The value of Accelagen’s personalised input and insight into regulatory frameworks were repeatedly cited by established and prospective European clients. “There are a number of folks that said, ‘Of course we’re going to use you guys because we love what you did for us before,’” Palmer shared.
“The main thing for me,” Palmer summarised, “was that there is a high sense of energy in Europe around drug development. There’s a great opportunity to help move therapies from discovery through to human clinical assessments – and if we can get some of those treatments into wider community, that would be a fantastic win for everybody.”
In the midst of successful drug development hubs in Switzerland and Spain, Accelagen is evaluating how to deepen its presence in Europe and identify opportunities for global support. Accelagen’s message to Europe was clear: Australia offers a cost effective and high quality environment for clinical research across phases, and developers can improve pipelines with the right support. Accelagen’s blend of regulatory depth of knowledge, an established global network, and a tailored, client focused philosophy is just the right solution for European clients.