Clinical pharmacological research at the University of Szeged began in 1978 at the Department of Internal Medicine I, then part of the university’s predecessor institution, through a pioneering collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry. Since then, the university’s clinical departments have taken part in over 500 studies, maintaining strict compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines since 2002.

Over the years, we have successfully conducted numerous Phase I trials involving patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and breast carcinoma. Additionally, we have gained substantial expertise in biosimilar research.

Our qualified staff have extensive experience in various fields:

In close collaboration with the Diabetology Working Group, we have conducted multiple Phase II and Phase III clinical trials in recent years. These studies have focused on prokinetics for diabetic gastroparesis, immunomodulatory therapy, and various insulin analogs – including FIAsp for type 1 diabetes and GLP-1 analogs (e.g., liraglutide, semaglutide, lixisenatide) and insulin analogs (e.g., insulin glargine, insulin degludec) for type 2 diabetes. Additionally, our clinic remains actively engaged in research on emerging oral and parenteral antidiabetic agents.

The Hepatology Working Group has been actively engaged in evaluating the efficacy of interferon, ribavirin, and telaprevir in patients with chronic hepatitis C. In the 1990s, we conducted extensive research on peptic ulcer disease and Helicobacter pylori eradication, assessing the effectiveness of all proton pump inhibitors set to be introduced to the Hungarian market, while also carrying out numerous comparative studies.

Our Nephrology and Hypertension Working Group has received numerous requests to investigate antihypertensive agents pending registration, as well as to study the efficacy of renin inhibitors in renal failure and the role of PPAR agonists and TGF-beta antibodies in diabetic nephropathy.

In 2021, Phase I clinical trials moved forward at our newly equipped research facility, supported by a European Union grant that enabled us to expand our work into stem cell therapy (ATMP) products. This development broadened our portfolio to include a wide range of specialties, such as oncology, internal medicine, rheumatology, and more.

Beginning in 2024, Prof. Dr. Csaba Lengyel assumed oversight of the trial site at the newly renovated, state-of-the-art facility, designed to meet the highest standards of 21st-century research in a well-equipped and spacious environment.