Clinical Guest Contributors

  1. Driving Innovation: Blockchain Adoption For Clinical Trials Optimization 10/31/2019

    Pharmaceutical companies and research institutions are feeling the pressure to reduce the time, financial, and other resource costs associated with conducting clinical trials. With the influx of emerging applications for technologies such as machine learning, robotics and automation, and blockchain and other distributed ledger technologies (DLTs), many see a new path to more efficient and effective processes that can address the challenges faced today.

  2. The EU Qualified Person (QP) Demystified 10/29/2019

    For U.S. sponsors planning to conduct clinical trials in the EU, Qualified Persons may be perceived as a challenge to overcome, because their role and responsibilities are not fully understood.

  3. Preparing For Health Authority Inspections: 4 Keys To Inspection Readiness 10/22/2019

    Health authority inspections are one of the most stress-inducing experiences a sponsor, CRO, or site will go through. The mere mention of inspections is enough to throw some people into full on panic-mode. While preparing for an inspection will never be a care- and stress-free process, there are appropriate ways to get your organization ready for one without adding another layer of stress and frustration.

  4. 5 Narrative Elements That Will Reveal The Masterpiece In Your TMF 10/15/2019

    In response to the increasing opacity of the trial master file (TMF), clinical trial decision makers have embraced quantitative metrics as a way of characterizing and understanding the health of a TMF. Quantitative metrics are easily generated through the reporting functionality of a modern electronic TMF (eTMF) and appear to add value by leveraging the data passively generated through modern clinical applications. Although helpful to address specific concerns, especially those related to completeness, these metrics are often unintuitive and do not readily describe the aspects of a clinical trial most instrumental for TMF health.

  5. Collaborating With Patients: 3 Key Considerations For Drug Sponsors 10/10/2019

    Historically, patient involvement has been vital in the design and execution of clinical trials, but in recent years there has been an increased desire to engage patients from start to finish during the drug development process. Today, patients are empowered by technological advances that have given them access to more information than ever before, especially regarding diseases and drug development.

  6. The Patient Perspective On Patient Centricity: Insights From A Veteran Of 5 Clinical Trials 10/8/2019

    Those who know me understand the value I put on bringing the voice of the patient and caregiver into the drug development process. They also know that I believe that today’s terminology — phrases like “patient-centricity,” “patient at the center,” and other sexy mottos — is sometimes used by organizations to show the world that the patient is at the forefront of everything they do. But are they really? Is patient feedback on a protocol enough to prove that their voices are heard? Is providing input on an informed consent what a patient really wants to do? Maybe.

  7. What Will Clinical Trials Look Like In 10 Years? Experts Forecast 3 Key Trends 10/3/2019

    Clinical research has benefited from several advancements in recent decades. Expanding access to information has empowered patients to have greater autonomy in their care and a voice during the development process. Personalized medicine has given rise to promising new therapies treating smaller, more targeted populations. And the number of clinical trials leveraging virtual health tools and mobile technology is increasing. But seismic challenges still remain.

  8. 8 Steps To Achieve The Cultural Change Needed For Co-Creation With Patients 10/1/2019

    Now more than ever, patients are informed and active about their health. Technological advances are equipping patients with real-time health data. At-home genetic testing kits have the potential to reveal future health risks. And the internet can help increase health literacy and connect patients with other patients. These, and other tools, can empower patients to take control of their health while enhancing their ability to engage with the healthcare ecosystem.

  9. RWE In Clinical Research: Challenges, Opportunities, And 2 Case Studies To Move Us Forward 9/26/2019

    This is the second article in a two-part series addressing real-world evidence (RWE) for life sciences leaders who may be struggling to make sense of the rules. In this part, we will explore the challenges and opportunities RWE presents for life sciences companies, review two recent examples, and discuss how this newer way of thinking will transform the way we design and conduct clinical research or evaluate value-based decisions for the better.

  10. Tackling Pharmacovigilance Issues In The Clinical Trial Stage Of Product Development 9/24/2019

    Pharmaceutical and device manufacturing companies often outsource their pharmacovigilance (PV) activities to vendors and consultants to meet their safety, medical information, and regulatory needs. When doing so, these companies have a regulatory obligation to oversee the activities and quality of their vendors. However, vendor audits conducted by these companies can yield a wide range of results due to differences in auditors, scope, and understanding of PV principles and operations.