The Future of Research
All the innovation that is happening in research labs around the globe may come to naught if the sites, patients, and physician investigators needed to move the science forward are not a substantive part of the equation.
In this month’s cover story “Why Sites Matter," the challenges that clinical sites encounter, including predictability of trial business, payments, and technology issues, in addition to a highly fragmented clinical trial landscape, are explored and some of the industry’s top thought leaders in this space provide their insights on how to address many of the pressing issues of today.
The Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS), the global trade organization fully dedicated to representing the interests of clinical research sites, continues to ensure sites’ voices are heard and positively influencing decisions of industry stakeholders. Christine Pierre, founder and president of SCRS has been on a mission to make sure sites are part of the Site Advocacy Group (SAG), which has expanded robustly among forward-thinking organizations. Ensuring the sites’ voices are considered within the SAG projects and protocols they are engaged in has been transformational for all stakeholders. This pioneering initiative has provided important dialogue on more than 20 initiatives between site professionals, eight industry partners, and TransCelerate BioPharma.
TransCelerate BioPharma, the nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health of people around the world by accelerating and enhancing the research and development (R&D) of innovative new therapies, has been a game changer. The organization’s mission is to collaborate across the global biopharmaceutical R&D community to identify, prioritize, design, and facilitate implementation of solutions designed to drive the efficient, effective and high-quality delivery of new medicines. TransCelerate evolved from conversations at various forums for executive R&D leadership to discuss current issues facing the industry, and examine solutions for addressing common challenges. The founding member companies are AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly and Company, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, the Roche Group, and Sanofi. Additional members that have joined since the inception of TransCelerate include Allergan, Amgen, Astellas Pharma, EMD Serono, (a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), Medgenics, Merck & Co., Novo Nordisk, Shionogi & Co., and UCB.
Ms. Pierre says while sites may not be the ultimate decision maker of the end products such as protocols, technology, or new processes, they are often the end user. Therefore, the site perspective is the most strategic business tactic an organization could undertake.
We applaud the unsung heros of clinical research — patients, investigators, and sites — for their part in bringing new medicines to those in need.
Taren Grom,
Editor
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Their word…
Denise Myshko
Managing Editor
Clinical sites are burdened with administrative tasks that take them away from doing research and caring for patients.
Robin Robinson
Senior Editor
Before the industry can begin to move toward a commercial transformation involving streamlined processes, it needs to get its head around the need for change.
Kim Ribbink
Features Editor
Germany’s rich pharma history continues with strong government support for R&D and innovation.
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Coming in October 2016
M&A Industry Update
The Specialty Drug Market
Advertising to the Masses
mHealth Data
Community Relations: Meaningful Connections
Market Focus: France
Showcase: Supply Chain & Logistic Management
Showcase: Patient Solutions
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Masthead
Volume 16 • Number 8
Publisher Lisa Banket
Editor Taren Grom
Creative Director Marah Walsh
Managing Editor
Denise Myshko
Senior Editor
Robin Robinson
Features Editor
Kim Ribbink
Design Associate
Ariel Medel
Director of Sales
Cathy Tracy
National Account Manager
Suzanne Besse
Webcast Network Producer
Daniel Limbach
Circulation Assistant
Kathy Deiuliis
Copyright 2016
by PharmaLinx LLC, Titusville, NJ
Printed in the U.S.A.
Volume Sixteen, Number Eight
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