Luxembourg Research Clinic

The Luxembourg Research Clinic is a collaborative national research clinic that unites Luxembourg’s hospitals, research institutions, and the university to transform the country’s translational research excellence into patient-centred clinical studies, driving innovation in healthcare, science, and the economy.

Activities

The Luxembourg Research Clinic (Fuerschungsklinik Lëtzebuerg / LRC) represents a transformative national initiative that brings together four Luxembourg hospitals (CHL, CHEM, HRS, CHdN), the University of Luxembourg (Unilu), and the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) to create a unified platform for cutting-edge clinical and translational research. Built on the country’s existing biomedical ecosystem, including key institutions like the LCSB, the IBBL, and the TMOH, this collaborative enterprise is designed to bridge the gap between research and patient care. Its mission is to enable high-quality clinical trials “made in Luxembourg,” ensuring that every citizen can benefit from medical advances developed locally, while strengthening the nation’s health system, academic capacity, and economic resilience in the life sciences.

The LRC goes beyond the traditional concept of a university hospital by embedding research directly into real-world healthcare structures and ensuring that clinicians, researchers, and general practitioners collaborate in a patient-centred ecosystem. With a focus on six key disease areas: neurology, oncology, immunity/infection, rare diseases/paediatrics, cardiovascular health, and mental health, the clinic will coordinate resources, expertise, and infrastructure across sectors. It will serve as a national anchor for clinical studies, supported by interoperable data systems, federated research facilities, and competitive funding programs. Together, these assets will position Luxembourg as a European model for integrated, innovation-driven clinical research that delivers measurable improvements in patient outcomes.

Strategic Goals

Establish a Federated National Clinical Research Infrastructure
Build clinical trial capabilities across all hospitals, including dedicated staff, study coordination space, and standardized processes to support investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored research.
Develop Secure, Interoperable Clinical Data Platforms
Implement a national research data environment that connects clinical and -omics data, enabling real-time access to high-quality patient data for diagnostics, research, and care optimization.
Accelerate Access to Innovative Therapies
Ensure that Luxembourgish patients can benefit early from cutting-edge diagnostics and treatments by enabling timely and inclusive participation in clinical studies.
Foster Multidisciplinary and Cross-Institutional Collaboration
Unite hospitals, research institutions, GPs, and universities under shared governance and strategy, aligning healthcare innovation with educational and societal priorities.
Support Priority Research Areas and Expand Over Time
Drive clinical research in key domains (oncology, neurology, infection/immunity, paediatrics/rare diseases, cardiovascular health, and mental health), with flexibility to scale to additional fields.
Secure Long-Term Funding and Sustainability
Launch with initial public investment (€4M/year for 4–5 years), while developing mechanisms to attract competitive national and international third party funding for sustained impact.
Promote Training and Capacity Building
Develop structured mentorship and education programs to train a new generation of clinical investigators and healthcare innovators.
Ensure Patient-Centric Research and Ethical Excellence
Uphold the highest standards of ethics, GDPR/GCP compliance, and patient involvement in study design and execution to maintain trust and maximize societal benefit.

Director of the LRC

The Luxembourg Research Clinic is led by Prof Dr Christof von Kalle, who assumed the position of Director on December 1, 2024. Prof von Kalle brings extensive experience in translational oncology, gene therapy, and molecular medicine, as well as a strong track record in fostering collaboration between academic institutions, healthcare providers, and industry. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Founding Director of the Clinical Study Centre at Charité and the Berlin Institute of Health. In his role as Director, Prof von Kalle is responsible for guiding the strategic development of the LRC, with a focus on strengthening the integration of research and clinical care, expanding national and international partnerships, and advancing clinical research in key areas such as oncology, neurodegenerative diseases, and immune-mediated conditions. Under his leadership, the LRC aims to further enhance Luxembourg’s capacity for high-quality, patient-oriented translational research.

Christof
von Kalle

Contact

Clinical Research Framework