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October 10, 2025 / No. 3 Dear colleagues, partners, and friends of the NUM Study Network, We’re back from our summer break – refreshed, recharged, and ready to set sail into the next phase of our shared journey. Now, as we return to full speed, we’re excited to share the latest developments, updates, and insights from across the network in this third edition of our newsletter. A big thank-you to all of you for your continued engagement, collaboration, and dedication. It’s your commitment that keeps our sails full and our course steady. Enjoy reading! Current HighlightsLong-Term Establishment of NUM Anchored in Germany’s High-Tech AgendaA strong signal for the future: The planned long-term establishment of the Network University Medicine (NUM) has been officially anchored in the High-Tech Agenda of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). Implementation is scheduled for no later than 2026. This decision highlights the NUM’s importance as a key component of Germany’s research infrastructure. The move also ensures that the NUM Study Network, as one of NUM’s core initiatives, will benefit in the long term from this strategic milestone. 👉 Continue reading on NUM’s website News from the NUM Study NetworkA Goodbye and a Hello for the Steering CommitteeThe Steering Committee of the NUM Study Network has seen some changes in its composition. As the network’s central decision-making body, the Steering Committee guides the network’s development and strengthen sustainable clinical research infrastructure. PD Dr. Sebastian Klammt has stepped down from his role as the Steering Committee representative of the KKS Network (Network of Coordinating Centres for Clinical Studies). We sincerely thank him for his valuable contributions over the past years and wish him all the best in his new position as head of the Center for Clinical Studies Würzburg (ZKSW) at the University Hospital of Würzburg. We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Christine Fuhrmann, chair of the board of the KKS Network and managing director of the Study Center Bonn (SZB), as the new representative of the KKS Network on the Steering Committee of the NUM Study Network. We look forward to continuing our successful collaboration and to shaping the future of the NUM Study Network together. NUKLEUS Lighthouse App for Project Management in the NUM Study Network Officially Launched!The NUM Study Network was established to simplify the conduct of clinical and clinical-epidemiological studies, optimize processes, and increase overall efficiency. A central element of its future service portfolio is the new study portal – an overarching interface that will host a range of useful applications. One of these applications is Lighthouse: a platform for project management and quality assurance at the network’s study sites – and an important building block for strengthening clinical research in Germany. The app is the result of close collaboration between the NUM Clinical Epidemiology and Study Platform (NUKLEUS) and the NUM Study Network. Following intensive technical development, it was officially launched on August 14, 2025. Since then, Lighthouse has been available to all sites in the NUM Study Network as well as the Specialty Network Infectious Diseases. With Lighthouse, sites gain a clear, data-driven overview of their study activities, can identify opportunities for improvement, and make well-informed decisions. What makes Lighthouse stand out?
The platform will continue to grow and improve over time. A big thank you goes to all the technical and content-related experts who made Lighthouse possible!
Advancing Quality in Patient EngagementOn September 11, 2025, representatives from the NUM Study Network, including Martha Schutzmeier and Ramsia Geisler, met with the working group Quality and Impact of Engagement Processes at the QUEST Center for Responsible Research (Berlin Institute of Health, Charité). The goal of the meeting was to lay the groundwork for developing a quality indicator to measure patient engagement in clinical studies, in order to establish a standard for the NUM Study Network. The working group brings extensive expertise in participatory research and will support the network in creating a practical and validated tool to ensure patient perspectives are meaningfully integrated into research. Patient engagement is increasingly recognized as essential in health research, yet challenges remain in ensuring that participation is effective rather than symbolic. The collaboration with QUEST seeks to address these challenges and promote high-quality, impactful patient engagement across the NUM Study Network. NUM Study Network Gets a Fresh LookWith the launch of the new NUM corporate identity, the NUM Study Network is also receiving a design makeover. Over the coming months, we will gradually align our corporate design – including updated colors, fonts, and visual elements – to ensure a consistent and modern appearance across all platforms. As a first step, we’re excited to introduce new digital badges for our sites. These badges can be integrated into websites to proudly highlight their affiliation with the NUM Study Network. Stay tuned as we continue rolling out the new design!
Launch of New LinkedIn Campaign: People in the NUM Study NetworkWho are the people that make the NUM Study Network possible? Our new LinkedIn campaign People in the NUM Study Network answers exactly that. Launched on September 22, 2025, the series introduces dedicated colleagues from across our community – from study coordinators to project managers and clinical researchers. Every Monday over the coming weeks, a new portrait will go online, giving a face and a voice to those who usually work behind the scenes but are essential to the success of the NUM Study Network. The first contributions already feature colleagues from different sites, sharing what drives them in their daily work and why being part of the network matters to them. The campaign’s goal is simple but powerful: to show the diversity of roles that keep the infrastructure running and make visible the commitment that connects people in the NUM Study Network. Watch the series unfold on our LinkedIn page – each new portrait gives a fresh angle into how the NUM Study Network is built person by person. 👉 See all portraits published so far
News from the Specialty Network Infectious DiseasesWelcoming New Members to the Steering CommitteeThe Specialty Network Infectious Diseases is pleased to announce the appointment of new members to its steering committee, who will help guiding strategic initiatives and advance the network’s mission in clinical infection research. We warmly welcome as representatives of the external study sites in the Specialty Network Infectious Diseases:
Their expertise and diverse perspectives strengthen our external site representation and reflect our commitment to an open, inclusive network. As we plan the next steps for engaging new sites, their insights will help create opportunities for broader participation. We look forward to their contributions across the network. Funding Approval Secured for the Specialty Network Infectious DiseasesThe Specialty Network Infectious Diseases has received official funding approval from the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) on August 5, 2025, ensuring the continuation of its activities for the next five years until June 2030. This new funding phase enables the network to further strengthen collaboration across research sites, expand its scientific impact, and foster innovation in the field of infectious disease research. The coordination team and participating study sites played a crucial role in maintaining momentum and preparing for this next stage even before the official confirmation. Their dedication and commitment remain key to the success of the Specialty Network Infectious Diseases. Steady Progress in Patient Recruitment: Almost 700 Patients EnrolledThe Specialty Network Infectious Diseases has reached an important milestone in its baseline recruitment phase. Since May 5, 2025, when the first patients were enrolled, a total of 681 patients have now been included across the network as of October 7, 2025. Recruitment is advancing at an impressive pace, with 13 study sites already actively participating. Current enrollment includes:
The Specialty Network Infectious Diseases expresses its sincere appreciation to all patients and the dedicated study teams whose commitment drives this early success. Calls & Announcements:Public Survey on Digital Tools for Planning and Conducting Clinical and Clinical-Epidemiological StudiesOur survey on Digital Tools for Planning and Conducting Clinical and Clinical-Epidemiological Studies is still online! The survey is specifically targeted at providers of tools, utilities, software platforms, and related solutions that support any aspect of clinical study planning and process management, such as cost estimation, CTIS preparation, site rollout coordination, or contract management. One of the key missions of the NUM Study Network is to develop and maintain a centralized study portal that enables researchers and supporting infrastructures to manage clinical study projects in a harmonized and efficient way – from the initial idea through to project completion and publication. Through the help of this survey, we aim to identify tools that may be suitable for integration into the study portal. Participation is possible until October 31, 2025. NAPCODE Seeks Expertise: Survey on Post-COVIDThe National Post-COVID Dataset (NAPCODE) project, funded by the Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), is advancing research on long-term health effects following a COVID-19 infection, known as Post-COVID Condition (PCC). Building on insights from the NUM predecessor project National Pandemic Cohort Network (NAPKON), NAPCODE aims to create a standardized dataset that combines findings from COVID-19 and Post-COVID research, including literature, expert input, patient experiences, as well as national and European data sources. This dataset will support studies on diagnosis, risk factors, and interventions, and will be available in three forms: pseudonymized, anonymized, and synthesized. By consolidating existing data, NAPCODE hopes to clarify what Post-COVID entails and improve care for affected patients. Patients, relatives, researchers, and clinicians are invited to participate in a 30-minute survey open until December 31, 2025. Responses will be confidential and used solely for the project. EU Researchers Invited to Shape Future Regulatory SupportThe Paul Ehrlich Institute invites clinical researchers and research networks across Europe to participate in a new EU-wide survey under the IncreaseNET project, co-funded by the EU4Health program. The survey aims to improve collaboration between academia and regulatory bodies by creating early, tailored support for researchers in funding processes. By sharing experiences and needs, researchers will help build a future Pre-Grant Regulatory Scientific Advice system that:
The survey has five sections and allows users to pause and resume at any time. Responses are confidential and results will be shared only in anonymized form with academic, regulatory, and funding stakeholders, including EMA and HMA networks. The deadline for participation is October 31, 2025. For questions, contact: increaseNET@pei.de Launch of the NUM Insights CME Lecture SeriesStarting in October 2025, the NUM Local Coordination Offices (LokS) across all 37 university medicine sites will launch a new virtual training series titled NUM Insights: Projects and Results from the Network University Medicine. The series offers monthly one-hour sessions showcasing current research outcomes and practical applications from across the NUM. Each session is CME-certified, allowing participants to earn one Continuing Medical Education point per event. The kick-off session will take place on October 7, 2025, from 17:00 to 18:00 (online). Dr. Wiebke Schirrmeister (Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg) will open the series with a talk on “The AKTIN Platform – Data Use and Access, and Insights from Real-Time Routine Data in Emergency Medicine”. 👉 Information on registration and CME credit details Save the Date: NUM Convention 2026The NUM will kick off 2026 with its annual highlight: the NUM Convention 2026, bringing together the entire NUM community and invited guests. The event will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, January 21-22, 2026, at the bcc Berlin Congress Center near Alexanderplatz. Under the theme “NUM 3.0: Towards an Open and Sustainable Research Platform”, the convention will explore the future of clinical research and the next stage of NUM’s development. The program will feature inspiring plenary sessions, engaging parallel tracks, and evening events designed to foster networking and knowledge exchange. The NUM Study Network will actively participate in both plenary and session-level discussions. Further details, including the full agenda and registration information, will soon be available on the dedicated event website. The NUM looks forward to welcoming participants to Berlin for two days of collaboration, innovation, and community-driven dialogue. You want to stay up-to-date? Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/num-study-network/ or visit our website https://sn.netzwerk-universitaetsmedizin.de/ |
| Project lead: | Prof. Dr. Janne Vehreschild, Goethe University Frankfurt/Main |
| Responsible for editorial content | Dr. rer. nat. Ramsia Geisler, Goethe University Frankfurt/Main |
| E-Mail contact: | presse@sn.netzwerk-universitaetsmedizin.de |
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