US CRO Worldwide Clinical Trials has signed deals with research organization in Europe to expand its cancer drug study network.
The Research Triangle Park-headquartered clinical research organization (CRO) established new relationships with Spain’s Next Oncology – which has sites in Madrid and Barcelona - and research site organization Pratia Research Platform, which has facilities in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland Spain, and Ukraine.
Worldwide Clinical trials stressed the importance of establishing such networks and relationships with research facilities in comments accompanying the announcement.
“Early engagement with experienced sites is vital to the success of a clinical trial, especially in oncology trials. Worldwide’s Site Alliance model includes various research sites, from major academic centers to regional private hospitals and community-based sites.”
Worldwide’s network already includes Next Oncology’s unit in San Antonia, Texas as well as the Cincinnati-based Christ Hospital Health Network among other organizations.
Next Oncology founder and MD Anthony Tolcher, welcomed the agreement, commenting “Our goal has always been to grow the NEXT Oncology infrastructure to create access to potentially lifesaving therapies for our cancer patients and those around the globe.
“Not only does this alliance bring new therapies to more patients but also the ability to deliver data to sponsors more quickly with less errors, which helps improve quality of life for those on trials.”
Clare Wallis, president of Worldwide’s oncology business unit cited the lack of capacity in the current drug research market as a motivation for the expansion.
“Over the past three years, the clinical trials industry has seen unprecedented change and demand, with upward trends for the number of new trials, but limited site capacity often causes delays for complex trials.
“Through our Site Alliance Collaboration, we are able to focus on addressing time-limiting hurdles to reduce the activation period for our sponsors, while sharing the latest feedback from our Alliance sites – with the ultimate goal of ensuring patients have access to advanced clinical trial options.”
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