Who we are

The beginning

“It all started with two friends meeting on a rugby field.”

In 2012, Jan Dvořáček, Pharm.D., moved with his family to South Bohemia, where he met his future colleague, Jakub Žídek, M.Sc., who had recently returned from England. Their paths first crossed at rugby training in České Budějovice. Over several seasons, their shared passion for the sport grew into a strong friendship. In 2015, they kicked off a new season by founding HD trial, s.r.o., playing on the same team as business partners.

The pair brought values from rugby─mutual respect and trust, teamwork, fair play, discipline, determination, problem-solving skills, and effective communication─into their business. These principles remain at the heart of the company today, creating a supportive and fulfilling workplace where colleagues feel valued and secure.

About HD Trial

“We value our people and build strong relationships at work.”

At HD trial, a CRO that truly values personal relationships and fairness, we foster an environment where mistakes are recognised as opportunities to learn. We focus on identifying them early and solving issues quickly, often preventing larger problems before they escalate. This approach guides not only our internal culture but also our collaborations with clients and trial sites.

We truly listen to our clients and collaborate to find the most effective solutions. As a small, agile company, we embrace change and are eager to learn new things. Unlike large, global corporations, we are not bound by rigid procedures; instead, we adapt quickly to changes and client needs.

Management Team

“At HD trial, we don’t code people ─ each of us has a unique story and name.”

Jan Dvořáček, Pharm.D.

Managing Director

Jan Dvořáček began his journey into clinical research with a Master’s degree in Pharmacy from Charles University in Hradec Králové, enriched by international experience, including a thesis project at the University of Navarra in Spain. After graduating, he joined a global CRO in Prague as a Clinical Research Associate (CRA), where he honed his expertise in clinical trials while simultaneously completing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

Driven by a passion for discovery and adventure, Jan took a six-month sabbatical to New Zealand before returning to forge his path as an independent consultant in clinical research. In 2015, he founded HD trial, a company dedicated to helping clients navigate the complexities of clinical trials with confidence and clarity.

“At HD trial, we don’t see obstacles; we see solutions. It’s a mindset that extends beyond work—it’s a WAY OF LIFE.”

Jakub Žídek, M.Sc.

Clinical Operations Director

Fuelled by a passion for adventure and nature, Jakub Žídek spent several months in Indonesia, caring for endangered wildlife, before expanding his horizons in the United Kingdom.

Holding a degree in Biology and Conservation from the University of South Bohemia, he co-founded HD trial in 2015, bringing a wealth of international experience and a knack for organisation.

At HD trial, Jakub combines his strong management skills with a deep understanding of clinical trials, which he sees as the vital link in delivering modern therapies to those who need them most.

“Getting a medicine from concept to market is a long journey, full of challenges. But where there’s a will, THERE’S ALWAYS A WAY!”

Experience

With many years of experience in clinical trials, we’ve worked on over 60 Phase I-IV studies across more than 150 sites. Our expertise spans a wide range of therapeutic areas, including:

Acute Medicine
Allergology/Immunology
Angiology
Cardiology
Dermatology
Diabetology
Gastroenterology
Gynaecology
Haematology
Internal medicine
Neurology
Obesity Medicine
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology
Orthopaedics
Osteology
Pain Management
Paediatrics
Pulmonology
Psychiatry
Rheumatology
Surgery
Urology