Accelerating Clinical Trials: The New And Future Normal

Momentarily, everything and everyone stood still, pausing to consider how to move forward in the face of a pandemic. That was the initial impact of COVID-19 on many existing and planned clinical trials, with the possible exception of oncology trials through which many cancer patients receive treatment.

Now that trials are resuming and new trials are commencing, sponsors and sites are required to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) health safety guidelines, including social distancing. This new normal requires them to find new ways to work. We expect many sponsors to continue these practices even after the pandemic recedes because these modern, digital ways of completing work can increase productivity.

Based on the current landscape, Cognizant anticipates that key changes in clinical trial management and operations are likely to continue.