Rare Disease
Clinical Trial Network

Uniting Expertise, Empowering Patients:
Transforming Ireland's Rare Disease Clinical Trial Landscape

Public & Patients

Click here if you’re a patient considering a clinical trial or click here if you’re interested in our public & patient involvement (PPI) activities

Information for clinicians & researchers about rare disease clinical trials, training opportunities and support available

Information for industry on our supports for setting up trials in Ireland, and navigating regulatory & approval processes

‘It’s really enriching to hear the stories and journeys of all these patients and the work that the  researchers and clinicians  have been doing with their patients to improve the quality of research and care in rare diseases.’

 

Ms Stacey Grealis, Public & Patient Partner, Rare Disease Clinical Trial Network

About us

We are a Health Research Board (HRB) – funded network aiming to increase activity in rare disease clinical trials in Ireland. Through collaboration with patients, researchers and industry, we support development of rare disease clinical trials, trial methodology and researcher training, while keeping the patient voice at the centre of everything we do.

Why join the Rare Disease Clinical Trial Network?

International Expertise

The network is a collaboration hub that links with international expertise and advocacy groups to exchange ideas, build capacity, foster partnerships and speed up innovation in rare disease research.

Patient Led

Our public and patient involvement (PPI) activities ensure that the patient voice is at the heart of everything we do. This leads to better quality research and outcomes that meet the needs of the rare disease community.

Greater Access to Clinical Trials

Our international collaborations, PPI activities and support for industry & researchers help to increase the quantity and quality of rare disease clinical trials in Ireland.

Network Highlights

Spotlight on our Activity

27th August 2025
27th August 2025
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Members of RDCTN and RDCat were delighted to attend the launch of the new National Rare Disease Strategy - a hugely welcome milestone in improving the lives of people living with rare diseases through enhanced diagnosis, treatment and support. We are especially encouraged by the strong focus on patient partnership and fostering research and innovation.
20th August 2025
20th August 2025
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We were delighted to see the publication of the RDCTN affiliated IMPALA-2 Clinical Trial in the New England Journal of Medicine, led in Ireland by Prof Cormac McCarthy. This study represents a major breakthrough in the treatment of Autoimmune Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (aPAP), rare and debilitating lung disease.
30th September 2025
30th September 2025
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We are delighted to launch the 3rd round of RDCTN seed funding to support emerging and early career researchers to build pilot data for developing an intervention and/or preparing for a clinical trial. We encourage applicants to include meaningful collaboration with PPI Partners in proposals.
5th September 2025
5th September 2025
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Prof Rachel Crowley attended the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Conference which showcased ground breaking clinical trials happening in Ireland. These include Treatment of Osteogenesis Imperfecta with Teriparatide and Zoledronic acid trial (TOPaZ) and Navepegritide in Combination With Lonapegsomatropin in Children With Achondroplasia (COACH).
28th August 2025
28th August 2025
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Professor Cormac McCarthy and Linda Sheehan took part in an interview on RTE’s Clare Byrne Show to share the story of Linda’s diagnosis with a rare lung condition – autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (autoimmune PAP) and her subsequent enrolment in the IMPALA-2 clinical trial.
4th September 2025
4th September 2025
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Prof Carla Moran and Dr Donal O’Malley discuss essential skills and practical tips for a thriving career in rare disease research in this insightful and informative interview. For many patients with rare disease, the first and biggest challenge isn’t treatment, it’s a diagnosis. This video explores the vital role research plays in finding answers.
1st October 2025
1st October 2025
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European Respiratory Society Congress: RDCTN Research Data and Regulatory Affairs Officer, Sarah Forde, presented her work supporting research on metabolic pathways in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis through data support and analysis. Her poster was a great example of Irish rare disease research at one of the world’s largest meetings for education, innovation and discovery in lung health
17th September 2025
17th September 2025
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RDCTN PPI Liaison Officer Dr Cassy Dinius and RDCTN PPI Partner Marci Kay Livingston attended the HSE Patient & Public Partnership conference in Croke Park. They presented a poster on the ‘many hats’ that PPI Partners wear, and how this enriches involvement and encourages an inclusive approach to rare disease research and clinical trials..

Network Highlights

Spotlight on our Activity

Network Partners