MSD Strengthens Its R&D Leadership in Spain: Up 8% From the Previous Year, Reaching 209 Clinical Trials
The biomedical Company MSD, a leader in research, has reached a new milestone in its commitment to science and innovation in Spain.
To mark International Clinical Trials Day, the Company announced that it is currently leading 209 clinical trials in Spain, representing a solid 8% increase from the 194 Phase I–III trials conducted in 2024.
This increase not only reflects MSD’s operational capacity in Spain but also solidifies the country’s position as the European subsidiary with the highest number of participants globally. Currently, it leads the continent in the number of participants in studies aimed at registering new drugs, ranking as the second-largest force worldwide within the Company’s structure.
The 8% growth in research activity is the spearhead of an unprecedented financial and scientific commitment. “Reaching 209 clinical trials reflects our ambition to transform the future of healthcare. Each of these projects is a gateway to hope for thousands of patients,” says María Sánchez, Executive Director of Clinical Research at MSD in Spain. “This progress reinforces our role as a leading country in Phase I-III trials, ensuring that innovation reaches those who need it sooner and more efficiently.”
The Company's commitment to innovation is reflected in its investment in research and development (R&D), which exceeded $15.8 billion in 2025.
Diversity: The cornerstone of the future of medicine
Beyond the numbers, MSD emphasizes that the quality of research depends directly on inclusivity. Based on the premise that treatments must be effective for everyone, the Company has implemented strict policies to promote ethnic, gender, and age diversity in its clinical trials. The goal is to eliminate health disparities and ensure that new therapies work with the same safety across all population groups, promoting equitable representation that breaks with traditional biases in clinical research.
The Company has a robust pipeline to address unmet medical needs. Currently, it has more than 50 programs in Phase II, more than 30 in Phase III, and more than 5 under review, with the goal of continuing to advance the development of innovative solutions that make a difference in people’s lives.
Spain has been consolidating its position as a leading country in clinical research. In 2025, the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) authorized 758 multinational studies, maintaining Spain’s status as one of Europe’s leading countries in clinical research. Additionally, it authorized 378 oncology trials, accounting for nearly 40% of the national total.
Access to information on clinical trials
As part of this commitment, MSD has a section on its website dedicated to clinical trials, designed for patients and the general public. This section provides up-to-date information on the company’s ongoing studies in which Spain is participating, details on how to participate, frequently asked questions, and useful resources for patients and their families.