The Karolinska Trial Alliance (KTA) was established in 2007 as a development of the Karolinska Clinical Research (KCR) Department. KCR was formed by merging the Clinical Trials Center (CTC) and Clinical Research Center (CRC).

These two units (CTC and CRC) were set up at the end of the 1990s. CTC, which operated at Huddinge University Hospital, was focused on services such as contracts and agreements and training in clinical trials. CRC, which operated at Karolinska University Hospital in Solna, was focused on providing researchers with support to carry out clinical trials in all phases; and to conduct Phase I studies within its own clinical trial unit.

In 2004, CTC and CRC were merged to form one organisation, which was named KCR. KCR performed all clinical trial services for all of Karolinska University Hospital (which includes Huddinge).

In 2007, KTA was formed as development of KCR commissioned by the County Council Board. KTA was an initiative of and is financed by Stockholm County Council (SLL), Karolinska University Hospital and the Karolinska Institute (KI). KTA performs services associated with clinical trials in Stockholm County.