Research suggests drug companies and CROs will run more hybrid studies – those involving elements of remote participation – than traditional, site-based studies next year.
The study, which quizzed 127 senior executives about their expectations for the clinical research landscape in 2022, was sponsored by decentralized trials firm Science 37.
Nearly 80% of respondents plan to run an agile clinical trial in the next 12 months. In contrast, 70% said they are planning to run a traditional, site-based study over the same period.
The report also suggests significant increases in decentralized clinical trial (DCT) activity will increase across Phase II, III, and IV studies.
It also indicates use of the DCT approach is increasing rapidly in cancer research with around 46% of respondents reporting that they expect to run an oncology study utilizing decentralized elements in the next year, vs. 35% for the previous year.
Science 37 CEO David Coman said the results are indicative of a growing trend, explaining “The power of increased decentralization is becoming undeniable as more sponsors benefit from faster enrolment, greater retention and increased diversity.”
According to the survey the perceived benefits of DCT trials include better patient experience, better patient retention, and faster recruitment.
Coman added that decentralized, “agile” clinical trial designs can help sponsors deliver more universally.
Science 37 also expects to see use of individual DCT components, particularly eConsent, telemedicine, mobile nurses, and remote sites to increase.
The study also indicates demand for DCT services will increase with many respondents citing a lack of in-house expertise and regulatory concerns as potential challenges involved with running such trials.
The Science 37 study findings are in keeping with research by Veeva Systems, a software firm that also has a significant interest in success of the decentralized trials market.
According to the Veeva survey, 87% of the 300 executives who took part use or plan to conduct trials digitally in future.
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