Luke Boylan, MBChB, MBA, Principal Investigator at Velocity in North London, recently attended the Parexel Site Alliance Network event. This collaborative gathering included NHS/NIHR-affiliated sites and other commercial research organizations, providing an invaluable opportunity to discuss the evolving landscape of clinical trials in the U.K.
Dr. Boylan’s key takeaways from the event:
- Regulatory Improvements: There was strong consensus from the MHRA on the need for faster regulatory approval timelines. There is a clear push to accelerate approvals and enhance the U.K.’s competitiveness within Europe.
- Site Selection Insights: Sponsors are increasingly favoring sites with several years of operational experience before progressing beyond an initial ‘introductory period.’
U.S./U.K. Competition: There is a growing trend of emulating U.S.-based approaches to site operations and recruitment. - Embracing Digital Platforms: Sponsors and CROs are increasingly seeing the value of sites and organizations that utilize centralized digital platforms for recruitment and data quality/collection. Technology is becoming a more pronounced differentiator for sites.
- Fast Feasibility Responses: Prompt responses to feasibility and site selection questionnaires are crucial for commercial sites to stand out.
- Remote Site Visits: Sites were encouraged to develop videos showcasing their facilities to support site qualification processes. This approach allows sponsors and patients to quickly assess capabilities, enhancing visibility and recruitment efforts.
- Additional discussions covered site selection, feasibility processes, investment trends, and site development initiatives from the NIHR. Key topics included private/public site integration and the use of mobile research units across the U.K.
To learn more about Velocity’s capabilities in the U.K. and across Europe, connect with Evelyne Mabouellet Newton.
