How has the Ukraine shock hit clinical trials in the region?

Eastern Europe has long been part of global clinical development, although it is more often covered when disruption affects trial delivery. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 made that pattern more visible. Sponsors, contract research organizations and regulators had to reassess trial continuity, patient retention, site access, medicine supply, sample movement and missing data.

The resulting picture is not one of wholesale withdrawal. Poland, Czechia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, the Baltic states and parts of the Balkans remain relevant to multinational studies, particularly where sponsors need experienced investigators, hospital-based recruitment and EU-aligned regulation. Ukraine itself has also shown signs of recovery, despite the continuing war. At the same time, country selection now includes a more explicit assessment of geopolitical and operational resilience.