Prof. Valentin S. Schäfer, Head of the Section of Rheumatology at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and researcher at the University of Bonn, has been appointed to the newly created Specialized Ethics Committee for Special Procedures by State Secretary Dr. Thomas Steffen at the Federal Ministry of Health. The committee, which is based at the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), will begin its work on July 1, 2025 and is responsible for the ethical evaluation of complex clinical trials.
In accordance with Section 41c of the German Medicinal Products Act (AMG), the Commission deals with studies that meet special requirements. These include first-in-human studies, trials of medicinal products for advanced therapies and clinical trials with highly complex study designs.
ImmunoSensation2 member Prof. Schäfer is a specialist in internal medicine and rheumatology at the UKB and a member of the Transdisciplinary Research Area (TRA) “Life and Health” at the University of Bonn. His scientific focus is on image-based diagnostics of rheumatological diseases, the immunology of arthritis and myositis as well as innovative therapeutic concepts in rheumatology. “I am honored to be part of this important committee. The ethical evaluation of clinical trials is an essential pillar for the progress of medical science and the protection of patients,” says Prof. Schäfer.
With the appointment of Prof. Schäfer, the Specialized Ethics Committee has gained an outstanding scientific personality who will make a significant contribution to the responsible further development of medical research.
Contact
Prof. Dr. Valentin Sebastian Schäfer
Medical Clinic III
University Hospital Bonn
Email: valentin.schaefer@ukbonn.de
