Veterinary Clinical Trials Unit (VCTU)
Center of Advanced Companion Animal Health
Koret School of Veterinary Medicine
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Helping Pets. Supporting ‘One Health’ Medical Science. Saving Lives.
About the VCTU
The Veterinary Clinical Trials Unit (VCTU) at the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine is Israel’s leading, first-of-its-kind center dedicated to advancing animal health through innovative clinical research and the initiation, planning and execution of veterinary clinical trials. Located within the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, the VCTU brings together world-class veterinary experts, state-of-the-art technology, and strong academic-industry partnerships.
Our mission is to improve the lives of pets and people by developing, testing, and accelerating access to new therapies, diagnostics, and medical technologies - all in a rigorous, ethical, and collaborative environment. We promote comparative medicine as a vital bridge between human and animal health.
What Are Veterinary Clinical Trials?
Veterinary clinical trials evaluate the safety, efficacy and effectiveness of new therapies in pets with naturally occurring diseases. Similar to human clinical trials, they provide pet owners access to advanced treatment options, while contributing to medical innovations across species.
These studies are essential in advancing drugs, devices, diagnostics, and procedures that enhance health and quality of life for both animals and humans.
Why Partner With the VCTU?
At the Veterinary Clinical Trials Unit, we provide a compelling platform for impactful, ethical, and efficient research:
* Unique Infrastructure: Israel’s only university-based veterinary teaching hospital, offering comprehensive clinical support and diverse case access.
* Comparative Medicine Expertise: Deep experience in translating findings between animal and human health.
* Regulatory Excellence: Full compliance with ICH-GCP and veterinary standards.
* Custom Trial Design: Tailored protocols to meet your specific research goals.
* Efficient Execution: Fast patient recruitment and robust, high-quality data collection.
* Industry-Trusted Partner: Proven collaborations with pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies. Headed by an expert with an extensive experience leading phase I-III global clinical trials under the FDA and EMA regulations.
Collaboration Opportunities
* Preclinical & Clinical Research: Including drugs, biologics, diagnostics and devices.
* Data-Driven Insights: Generate real-world translational research.
* Clinical Development Consulting & Customized Trial Design: Expert guidance from early planning to trial execution, including targeted, high impact study protocol design and regulatory strategy.
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Dr. Noa Lowenton-Spier, DVM
Head of Clinical Trials Unit
Dr. Lowenton-Spier graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1999.
After several years as a clinical veterinarian in private practice, she transitioned to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, where she led clinical development processes and international clinical trials.
In 2018, she established and managed the Clinical Trials Unit at Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov), where investigator-initiated studies and collaborations with academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies, both in Israel and abroad, were carried out.
In 2025, she joined the Center for Advanced Companion Animal Health.
Contact Us
Dr. Noa Lowenton-Spier, DVM
+972 52 5527 553
vet-ctu@mail.huji.ac.il
https://vetschool.agri.huji.ac.il/research/clinic
https://vethospital.huji.ac.il/