PRISM Transforms paediatric clinical research across Europe and Canada
Children are not simply "small adults"
Their physiology, development and clinical needs change continuously, from the neonatal period through to adolescence. This specificity, combined with the long-standing under-representation of children in clinical research, has contributed to widespread off-label and unlicensed medicine use. European studies estimate that around 45–60% of medicines prescribed to children are used off-label or without a paediatric authorisation, rising to as much as 90% among premature infants.
Rare diseases exemplify the need for stronger paediatric clinical research. Although an estimated 70–75% of rare diseases begin in childhood, conducting multinational clinical studies remains particularly challenging because of small and geographically dispersed patient populations. Key barriers include fragmented regulatory pathways across countries, persistent recruitment challenges, and a lack of infrastructure offering continuous support from study design through to execution.
A transnational ecosystem, built to last
PRISM aims to transform paediatric clinical research in Europe and Canada by creating a highly coordinated, transnational ecosystem of professional infrastructures and service organisations.
By aligning existing research infrastructure, engaging all stakeholders — patients, families, academic sponsors and industry — and embracing novel digital and methodological solutions, PRISM aims to overcome current fragmentation, expand multinational cooperation, and accelerate impactful research for child health.
Building a genuine transatlantic bridge
PRISM is among the first initiatives to build a genuinely operational bridge between Europe and Canada for paediatric clinical research, building on the partnership between ECRIN and the Canadian network MICYRN (Maternal Infant Child and Youth Research Network).
Coordinated services across the full study lifecycle
PRISM delivers a suite of coordinated services covering the full lifecycle of paediatric clinical studies — interventional and observational — across Europe and Canada.
End-to-end operational support
Methodological consulting
Virtual access to digital tools
More details are coming soon.