Emmes adds telehealth to service offering
Clinical trial contractor Emmes has added “telehealth” capabilities to its offering and appoints new CEO.
The Rockville, Maryland CRO rolled out the offering last week, explaining the expansion of its existing “Advantage eClinical” service will mean that scheduled visits can become virtual with video calls augmented directly through its technology platform.
Emmes said the addition of telehealth capabilities is part of a much wider development plan, adding that it aims to create the first unified, flexible, digital trial infrastructure that minimizes disruption for sites and participants.
Ching Tian, chief innovation officer at Emmes framed the expansion as a full-service approach to trial tech provision.
“What we are building with Advantage eClinical is more than an EDC or eCOA/ePRO. It’s a platform to accelerate the delivery of all types of trial designs through one unified, modular system.”
She cited a 2021 study by the Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation’s (CISCRP) which suggested 90% of respondents believe having “options” for study visits, such as virtual and home visits, as evidence of growing demand for telehealth.
By eliminating the need for sponsors to procure and set up additional point decentralized trial (DCT) systems, we hope more studies will offer patient-centric options for patients to participate,” commented Tian.
For Ashley Davidson, Emmes associate vice president, product management and operations, telehealth is about simplifying work for site staff.
“It gives that real world feel of an in-person visit and enables simultaneous note-taking and record-checking.
“On a more practical level, operating a decentralized or hybrid trial design means we can also open up trials to more diverse groups of participants, which has been a big driver from the regulators,” Davidson said.
In a separate announcement, Emmes has named Peter Ronco as its new CEO, effective immediately.
Ronco succeeds Christine Dingivan, who will serve as a senior advisor to executive chairman Sastry Chilukuri, and Emmes’ board of directors.
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