Clinical Pharmacology MedUni Vienna

What Clinical Pharmacology MedUni Vienna does

Clinical Pharmacology MedUni Vienna (Universitätsklinik für Klinische Pharmakologie) is an academic clinical research and teaching department within the Medical University of Vienna, co-located at the Vienna General Hospital (AKH Wien). The department conducts clinical trials across all phases — from first-in-human studies to pivotal registration studies — serving pharmaceutical and biotech sponsors, academic researchers, and patients. It operates five specialized working groups (Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Ophthalmo-Pharmacology, Haematology & Immunology, and Drug Development & Healthcare) and runs an outpatient drug clinic (Arzneimittelambulanz) providing polypharmacy management and medication therapy optimization for complex patients.

The department's technical differentiation rests on rare, proprietary measurement modalities — in-vivo human microdialysis for continuous extracellular-space pharmacokinetics, and PET imaging of radiolabelled drugs and membrane transporters — complemented by PK/PD modelling (MIC, time-kill curves, hollow-fibre systems) and ophthalmic imaging technologies. These capabilities are supported by approximately 50 clinical studies and over 100 peer-reviewed publications per year, including 3–5 first-in-human studies annually. A new Center for Translational Medicine (CTM), scheduled to open in Fall 2026, will add 32 Phase 1/2 beds, a biobank, three GMP units, and core facilities, materially expanding translational research capacity.

The business model is primarily publicly funded through MedUni Wien core budgets, Austrian national research grants (FWF, FFG, City of Vienna), and European/international programmes (EU Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe, IMI/EFPIA, ESCMID). Supplementary revenue derives from industry-sponsored contract research, the outpatient drug clinic, and diploma/PhD and specialist medical training programmes. The clinic is integrated into European regulatory and research ecosystems — its leaders hold formal positions on EMA committees (COMP, CAT, SAWP) and it coordinates or co-leads pan-European networks including VACCELERATE (vaccine trials), TIPAT, AB Direct, GNA Now, RespiriNTM, and BE READY NOW.

Name

Clinical Pharmacology MedUni Vienna

Legal name

Universitätsklinik für Klinische Pharmakologie | MedUni Wien

Website

https://klinische-pharmakologie.meduniwien.ac.at

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Clinical Pharmacology MedUni Vienna is a public university department at AKH Vienna conducting Phase 1–3 clinical trials, pharmacokinetics research using microdialysis and PET imaging, outpatient drug therapy optimization, and medical training for pharmaceutical sponsors, patients, and academic partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clinical Research Services

NAICS

Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (6215), Medical Laboratories (621511), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Offices of Physicians (62111), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690)

SIC

Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)

akta.pro primary industry

Clinical Development (Phase I–III Trial Design & Execution) (HLAIALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Clinical Pharmacology & Pharmacometrics (Modeling & Simulation) (HLAIALAG), In Vivo Pharmacology (Efficacy/PD Models) (HLAGAFAA), Nonclinical Study Management & Regulatory Writing (IND-enabling) (HLAGAFAN), Clinical Research & Trial Central Laboratories (HLAFAMAL), Clinical Biomarker Testing Services (central labs, trial enrollment/monitoring assays) (HLAAAMAC)

Keywords

• Clinical pharmacology research
• Clinical trial services
• Pharmacokinetics studies
• Contract research organization
• Academic medical research

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Public Institutional Funding: Core operational funding from the Medical University of Vienna (MedUni Wien) and the Austrian public healthcare system, as a university hospital department.
2. International Research Grants: Funding from EU Horizon 2020, IMI (Innovative Medicines Initiative), European Commission, and similar transnational programmes supporting large collaborative research projects in clinical pharmacology.
3. National Research Grants: Funding from Austrian national bodies including FWF (Austrian Science Fund), FFG (Austrian Research Promotion Agency), City of Vienna research funds, and the Heilmittelevaluierungskommission.
4. Industry-Sponsored Clinical Trials: Contract research conducted on behalf of pharmaceutical companies, providing study sponsorship revenue in exchange for conducting Phase 1–4 clinical trials according to ICH-GCP standards.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The department conducts international, interdisciplinary clinical trials from first-in-human studies through pivotal registration studies (approximately 50 studies per year), supported by proprietary pharmacokinetics measurement techniques including microdialysis and PET imaging. It also operates an outpatient drug clinic (Arzneimittelambulanz) for polypharmacy management and provides medical specialist and doctoral training.

Product overview

Clinical Pharmacology MedUni Vienna is an international, interdisciplinary clinical research and teaching institution operating as part of Medical University of Vienna and AKH Vienna. Their core offering comprises clinical trials spanning Phase I-III (first-in-human to pivotal registration studies), an outpatient drug clinic for medication optimization, and pharmacokinetics research using advanced techniques (PET imaging, microdialysis). The department operates five specialized working groups: Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Ophthalmo-Pharmacology, Haematology and Immunology, and Drug Development and Healthcare. A new Center for Translational Medicine (opening Fall 2026) will expand Phase 1/2 study capacity with 32 beds, biobank, and GMP units. Education programs include diploma/doctoral studies and specialist medical training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Center for Translational Medicine (CTM): Phase 1/2 study center scheduled to open Fall 2026 with 32 beds for volunteer and patient care, including core facilities, biobank, GMP units, and research spaces

Products and services

• Clinical Trials (Phase I-III)

Quantifiable outcome

• >50 clinical studies per year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• European Medicines Agency (EMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinic staff hold key roles in EMA committees: Brigitte Schwarzer-Daum in COMP and SAWP; Martin Brunner in CAT; and Gerhard Garhöfer, Bernd Jilma, Michael Wolzt, and Markus Zeitlinger as additional EMA experts. This regulatory engagement ensures the clinic influences and anticipates EMA scientific and regulatory standards.
• AKH Wien (Vienna General Hospital)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-location within AKH Wien provides the clinic with access to one of Europe's largest hospitals (approx. 2,200 beds) for clinical trial participant recruitment, interdepartmental clinical collaboration, and access to diverse patient populations for Phase 1-4 trials.
• University of ViennacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research partnership on the Women's Beet study (FWF-funded, investigating beetroot juice and exercise effects), with the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Health providing exercise physiology expertise and facilities for the 12-week training programme component.
• VACCELERATE NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean vaccine development network coordinated by the clinic, spanning 32 institutional partners across Europe with >480 research sites and a volunteer registry of >37,000 participants. The clinic serves as the coordinating/lead institution for this IMI-funded pan-European initiative.
• TIPAT ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarie Skłodowska-Curie ITN training network with 15 early-stage researchers, bringing together academic experts, hospitals, start-ups, and pharmaceutical companies across Europe to develop personalized antibiotic therapies addressing antimicrobial resistance.
• AB Direct ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMI-funded project investigating gepoditacin (novel antibiotic) distribution in tonsil and prostate tissue, with research teams in France. MedUni Vienna team led by Markus Zeitlinger develops PBPK, PopPK, and PK/PD models for the novel antibiotic candidate.
• Prof. Dr. Carsten Ehrhardt (Trinity College Dublin)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic collaboration partner in the PET imaging lung distribution project (FWF-funded), providing expertise on organic cation transporters in the lung epithelium for inhaled drug distribution studies in asthma and COPD.
• Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational academic partner in the Ophthalmo-Pharmacology working group, collaborating on ocular imaging research and new treatment methods for eye diseases including glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Parexel International: Large global CRO offering Phase 1-4 clinical trial services across all major therapeutic areas. Represents the broader incumbent competitor to MedUni Vienna for industry-sponsored clinical pharmacology and full development programs.
• IQVIA: Largest global CRO with extensive Phase 1, laboratory, and real-world evidence capabilities. Represents the broad incumbent alternative for sponsors considering outsourced clinical pharmacology support versus academic centers.
• ICON plc: Global CRO with end-to-end clinical development and laboratory services, including early-phase and bioanalytical offerings. Comparable as a one-stop alternative for sponsors seeking integrated PK and Phase 1-3 delivery.
• Medpace: Mid-sized global CRO with strong full-service clinical development capabilities, particularly in cardiovascular, oncology, and metabolic disease — overlapping with several MedUni Vienna working groups (cardiovascular pharmacology, haematology).

Direct peers

• Quotient Sciences: Translational CRO specializing in integrated first-in-human studies, clinical pharmacology, and drug product manufacturing. Directly comparable to MedUni Vienna on Phase 1 trial execution and integrated PK/PD-driven development, though commercially operated rather than academic.
• Hammersmith Medicines Research: UK-based Phase 1 clinical trial unit specializing in first-in-human studies and clinical pharmacology research, including PK/PD and bioequivalence work. Closely comparable service profile to MedUni Vienna's early-phase operations.
• SGS Health Sciences (SGS Clinical Research): Global CRO with strong Phase 1 clinical pharmacology and bioanalytical capabilities. Comparable in scope to MedUni Vienna's early-phase and PK/PD trial services, particularly across European sites.
• Celerion: Specialty clinical CRO focused on early-phase clinical pharmacology, first-in-human studies, and PK/PD modeling. Closest commercial analog to the MedUni Vienna department's core Phase 1/PK service offering.
• Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Institute of Clinical Pharmacology): Major German academic clinical pharmacology institute conducting Phase 1 trials, PK/PD research, and EU-funded translational projects. Closest academic peer to MedUni Vienna in scope and mission across German-speaking Europe.

Regional players

• Karolinska Institutet (Department of Clinical Pharmacology): Leading Nordic academic clinical pharmacology department at Karolinska Institutet with parallel strengths in early-phase trials, PK, and regulatory science. Comparable academic peer though operating in a different national/EU funding ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ClinPharm_Vie
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clinical-pharmacology-meduni-vienna

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Clinical Pharmacology MedUni Vienna