TEDDY Coordinates the Future Growth of Italy’s Paediatric Research Infrastructure
TEDDY- European Network of Excellence for Paediatric Clinical Research is pleased to announce the renewal of the Joint Research Unit (JRU) – EPTRI-IT Agreement, marking an important milestone for the consolidation and future growth of the Italian Node of the European Paediatric Transnational Research Infrastructure (EPTRI).
Strengthening a Strategic National Infrastructure
Joint Research Units (JRUs) are collaborative structures established between public and private universities, hospitals and research organisations to pool expertise, resources and infrastructures around a shared scientific strategy. In the health sector, JRUs play a key role in bridging academia, research and the market, enabling the development of innovative solutions and accelerating the translation of research into practice.
The EPTRI-IT JRU contributes to:
- Enhancing collaboration and sharing of expertise across institutions;
- Strengthening national contributions to EPTRI and its strategic agendas;
- Promoting integration of paediatric research at national level;
- Supporting multidisciplinary training on paediatric specificities;
- Reinforcing ethical, legal and regulatory approaches in line with children’s rights;
- Expanding national and European paediatric research networks and services;
- Fostering innovation and knowledge transfer to healthcare and society.
EPTRI in the Italian Research Landscape
Italy has been a strong supporter of EPTRI since its launch, formally establishing its national node in 2020 through the first JRU agreement among universities, hospitals and centres of excellence in translational paediatric research.
With the adoption of the National Research Infrastructure Plan (PNIR) 2021–2027, integrated into the National Research Programme (PNR) 2021–2027, EPTRI was officially included in the Italian Roadmap for Research Infrastructures, confirming its strategic importance at national level.
In 2025, most institutions involved reaffirmed their commitment to the Italian EPTRI Node and to advancing paediatric research and innovation.
The renewed agreement describes the updated governance structure:
- General Assembly: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Dipartimento Scienze Biomediche (DSB)
- Scientific Committee: Italian Network for Paediatric Clinical Trials (INCiPiT)
- Coordination: TEDDY – European Network of Excellence for Paediatric Clinical Research
In this renewed governance, TEDDY takes on a central coordination role, supporting strategic alignment among partners, facilitating collaboration and strengthening the operational link between national actors and the broader European EPTRI infrastructure.
The renewed agreement will also promote:
- Joint participation in national and European funding calls;
- Increased sharing of research ideas and project development in paediatric research;
- Stronger synergies among national and European stakeholders within the EPTRI framework and the ESFRI Roadmap for Research Infrastructures.
Through its coordination role, TEDDY will continue to support the integration, visibility and impact of Paediatric Innovation within the European research ecosystem, contributing to improved access to innovative therapies for children and young patients.