Ora moves to tap UK’s National Health Service for study participants
Ophthalmology clinical research organization (CRO) Ora has partnered with the UK’s Northwest London Clinical Trials Alliance.
The deal – financial terms of which were not disclosed – will allow Ora and its drug industry customers to recruit patients through the UK’s publicly-funded healthcare system, the National Health Service (NHS).
Together Ora and the Alliance will aim to provide analysis of country and site selection, access to a diverse group of study participants eager to receive new treatment options as well as ophthalmology-focused resources.
According to CEO Stuart Abelson, “Ora’s well-established leadership position in ophthalmology research, coupled with the reach and relationships established by the NWL Clinical Trials Alliance, will provide our sponsors with an increased level of confidence to deliver European-based early and late-phase research studies.”
NWL clinical trials alliance director, Suki Balendra, was similarly positive about the agreement, citing improved patient access as a major benefit.
“Collaborating with Ora not only improves outcomes for historically underrepresented patient populations but provides an opportunity to explore new and innovative ways to increase clinical trial access for all patients.
“Europe is in a position to accelerate getting drugs to market faster, while simultaneously helping to build a robust and sustainable clinical research ecosystem beyond the US," she continued.
This strategic partnership comes at a pivotal time as the UK government emphasizes the importance of innovative partnerships and encourages increased, multi-sector collaboration.
The NWL Alliance aims to support commercial and non-commercial sponsored clinical trials – utilizing existing and purpose-designed facilities.
The rationale is to increase regional capacity for delivering commercial clinical research, as well as to improve the ease and speed of research delivery, patient access to clinical research and cutting-edge treatments and therapies not yet available through the NHS.
The organization operates an ophthalmology unit at London Northwest University Healthcare NHS Trust, which is part of the Northwest London Clinical Trials Alliance. It is recognized nationally as one of the leaders in delivery of commercial trials.
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