In 2023, the clinical trial market is set to enter a brand-new period of potential. Opportunities to improve productivity in all phases of clinical trials are greater than they have ever been thanks to the proliferation of game-changing technology and the advent of widespread process automation. How will innovations like hybrid trials and more sustainable site practices affect the future of clinical research? What can we anticipate from clinical trials this year? Let's take a look at some possible outcomes.
Prioritizing workflow integration to shorten research times.
There has been an uptick in the availability of eClinical technology instruments for use in clinical trials in recent years. Interoperability and workflow integration amongst technologies across the lifecycle may improve trial operations, build confidence among stakeholders, and ultimately eliminate white space.
The trial financing and grant payment procedures are two examples of issues that have been handled separately in the past. Cycle durations and the chance of contract revisions can be significantly decreased, allowing for the "first patient in" to be reached sooner through the automation and integration of the relevant operations. It is the time to take advantage of the chance to hasten the beginning of the research.
Leveraging Big Data
The clinical trial sector has always relied heavily on information and understanding to enhance the procedure of medication development. Yet this year, businesses are anticipated to place an even greater emphasis on using big data and data science to improve budgeting, forecasting, and risk assessment. But, there are also attempts made to zero in on ways to improve our knowledge of genuine patient expenses and have a real effect on patient acquisition and retention. Clinical trial sponsors are forecasted to place a premium on collaborating with solutions and services that can offer not just cutting-edge analytics but also suppliers with real, up-to-date data that may give novel avenues for enhanced business intelligence and competitive advantage [1].
Flexibility
While Decentralized Clinical Trials (DCTs) have garnered a lot of interest in recent years, 2023 will see a trend toward greater participant flexibility. As a result, I think there will be a stronger bond between sites and participants than ever before. Although sites will still play a crucial role in the success of studies, participants will have more freedom in deciding how they want to participate.
Sites can better take charge of patients' lives outside of treatment if they are provided with resources to aid them in their digital journey. As a sector, we can also work to strengthen recruiting efforts, boost engagement, and enhance retention, all of which will contribute to the optimization of trials as a whole.
Relieving Site Frustrations
We must be careful that our efforts to improve patients' schedule flexibility do not lead to an increase in either site burden or expenditures.
Clinical research sites have faced the painful pinch of growing inflation, residual consequences of the COVID-19 epidemic, and personnel issues, requiring them to accomplish more with less. Especially with the addition of new staff members who should prioritize spending time caring for research participants, it is crucial that the site staff have easy-to-use tools and the skills they need to do their work efficiently and successfully.
A recent Greenphire poll indicated that sites, sponsors, and CROs all agreed that automating site payments is the #1 technological trend to improve site interactions, confirming the trend toward a more financial focus [2].
Despite having only three months' worth of operational funds on hand in 2022, only 56% of sites negotiated monthly payment arrangements with research sponsors. In 2023, with an influx of new trials, we anticipate the industry will coalesce with sites to guarantee they are supported to do their tasks in the midst of economic volatility. Sites seek partners that will assist them in doing their jobs better [3].
Increased Sustainability
Increased Sustainability Technology advancements will link and streamline workflows, allowing industry stakeholders to better manage their resources and provide more reliable and effective research results. With the use of virtual technologies and remote patient monitoring devices, more information may be gathered and shared.
As we near the end of the first quarter of 2023, it is important to note that the clinical trials sector will expand and evolve during the year. The use of digital technology, the collection and analysis of large amounts of data, and the provision of trial-related choices to participants will keep playing important roles. These are just some of the developments that we see impacting clinical trials in the future year; what else should we be out for?
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References:
- https://greenphire.com/news/new-global-survey-reveals-shift-in-clinical-trial-priorities-payment-efficiencies-emerge-as-leading-concern-for-sponsors-cros-and-sites/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/sap/2023/02/20/life-sciences-trends-2023-clinical-research-trials-at-your-local-pharmacy/?sh=1526d16268dd
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2760326/
