Overcoming barriers to facilitate the regulation of multi-centre regenerative medicine clinical trials

In the context of regenerative medicine and cellular therapies, the treatment under study often targets a less common disease or condition for which recruitment of a large number of research participants at any given site is challenging, if not impossible. One way to overcome this challenge is with a multi-centre clinical trial. This manuscript first aims to briefly outline the existing ethical, legal and social implications as well as the regulatory frameworks associated with multi-centre regenerative medicine clinical trials. Second, it considers the regulatory limitations and barriers surrounding the initiation of such trials in Canada, the USA and Europe. Third, it concludes with a set of recommendations for facilitating multi-centre clinical trials, at both national and international levels.