Denmark's life science strategy aims to enhance the introduction of new treatments and reduce low-value care by emphasizing the use of platform trials across EU member states.

Rigshospitalet, a major healthcare facility with around 1,000 beds, is actively conducting platform trials focused on blood cancer and dialysis, while also establishing a competence center to support healthcare professionals in this innovative model.

Rasmus Møgelvang, CEO of Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen, underscores the significance of innovation and effective treatment through collaborative efforts within the Nordic University Hospital Alliance (NUHA).

In May 2025, Møgelvang will convene with representatives from other hospitals in the alliance to discuss the further implementation of platform studies and to strengthen collaboration across the Nordic region.

Platform trials gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic for their ability to test multiple interventions simultaneously, and they are now being applied in various medical fields, including oncology and Alzheimer's research.

These trials differ from traditional clinical trials by being adaptable; they allow for new treatments to be included or removed based on ongoing assessments, ensuring a focus on the most effective therapies for specific conditions.

Rigshospitalet's ICU platform trial is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of current treatments and identify low-value medications, ultimately enhancing patient care through empirical evidence.

The ICU trial will also assess staff resources and innovative practices, with the findings intended for knowledge sharing among Nordic healthcare providers, particularly concerning rare diseases.

Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden has expressed interest in connecting with Rigshospitalet's platform studies hub to bolster their own ongoing platform trials in oncology.

The Danish Life Science Council has recommended that the EU fund platform trials through research programs like Horizon and FP10, aiming to strategically improve healthcare delivery across member states.

Additionally, the council has proposed the establishment of a European Life Science Council to foster collaboration and innovation within the life sciences sector.

Rigshospitalet is also expanding its telemedicine capabilities, training surgeons in Copenhagen to treat patients in Greenland, thereby enhancing remote collaboration between neurosurgeons in Denmark and local healthcare providers.