News And Events

Announcing The Global Alliance For Pediatric Experts and Sites

Dear I-ACT Friends and Colleagues,

Working Together to Advance Pediatric Clinical Trials

Over the past seven years, with your collaboration and support, we have made significant strides in strengthening the pediatric clinical trial ecosystem. As we look toward 2025 and beyond, I-ACT for Children stands at a pivotal moment in our commitment to advancing pediatric drug development.

The Path Forward: A Global Pediatric Clinical Trial Alliance

Pediatric drug development is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements and the need for a more streamlined global approach. Recognizing this, I-ACT has been working closely with our European counterpart, conect4children (c4c, https://conect4children.eu), to establish a global alliance of pediatric research sites and experts - enhancing international collaboration and accelerating pediatric drug development.

In the coming months, c4c will lead this global initiative. While not a merger, I-ACT and c4c will work closely together to explore how I-ACT’s experts and sites can be integrated with c4c’s network, creating a more efficient, globally integrated pediatric research resource. This effort aims to strengthen the global capacity for pediatric clinical trials by ensuring that the voices of clinicians are heard during pediatric drug development. In time, the Global Alliance will provide a coherent, ready-to-use platform for rapid communication between clinicians and Sponsors, ultimately benefiting children worldwide.

Why This Matters: Key Benefits of a Unified Approach

Consolidating I-ACT and c4c activities will bring significant benefits to pediatric drug development stakeholders and, most importantly, to children:

Improved Trial Design and Quality

• Harmonized regulatory and scientific expertise will enhance trial design, ensuring high-quality, ethical, and efficient studies
• Extend role of sites and investigators in providing expert advice about protocols and trial execution
• Over time, a larger network will strengthen patient recruitment and diversity, leading to more robust and generalizable data

Faster Access to Innovative Treatments

• A unified alliance will streamline input to trial execution and improve site contributions to optimizing trial design and conduct, accelerating the development and availability of novel pediatric therapies
• Increased efficiency in trial execution will reduce delays in bringing new treatments to children who need them most

Starting Our New Journey

Our priority is to ensure a seamless evolution leveraging the strengths of both organizations. As of April 1, 2025, c4c will be taking the lead of planning a single pediatric research network. Over the coming months, c4c will work with I-ACT experts and sites to establish a shared way of working.

I-ACT’s Next Steps

As of April 1, 2025, I-ACT will wind down its operations, with c4c becoming the point of contact.  By mid-summer I-ACT’s legal entity will be dissolved.

To support ongoing access to I-ACT’s pediatric research resources:

• I-ACT’s current resources and educational materials will remain available through the Critical Path Institute (C-Path) at https://c-path.org
• Going forward, I-ACT’s sites will benefit from opportunities arising from c4c’s educational offering at https://conect4children.eu

We Value Your Partnership and Insights

As a key stakeholder, your engagement will be critical as we move forward together in this transformational initiative. By working collaboratively, we can build a stronger global pediatric research framework—delivering medicines to children safely, efficiently, and faster than ever before.

We welcome your thoughts and questions throughout this transition. Please feel free to email us at the addresses below if you have questions or to share your insights.

Thank you for your continued partnership.

Kind regards,

Vianna Guzman - Executive Director

Laura Lopez - Chief Financial and Operating Officer

Gabriela Tulloch - Director, Pediatric Research Site Network & Clinical Project Management

Angie Price - Director, Education & Media Communications