Our study centre (Head: OA PD Dr. F. Stegelmann) is currently coordinating around 80 clinical studies. These are phase I-II studies (early development of new, promising, mostly not yet approved drugs) or phase III-IV studies (so-called therapy optimisation or quality assurance studies). The large number of studies is an enormous innovation factor and gives our patients the opportunity to participate in medical progress at an early stage. Patient self-help groups are always informed about the latest developments.