Parexel to offer faster enrolment for clinical trial patients

Biopharma service provider Paraxel has expanded its clinical trial site alliance network, an extensive network of investigator sites and site management organisations (SMOs) that enables it to quickly access and enrol patient populations for clients’ clinical trials worldwide.   

According to the group, difficulties in patient enrolment delay 81 percent of clinical trials by one to six months, with another five percent postponed six months or more.

To address this challenge, Paraxel developed its Site Alliance network, currently consisting of more than 180 members plus several SMOs, together providing access to approximately 6,000 investigators worldwide. The SMOs alone have a combined database of 7.5 million patients in more than 25 countries.

“Recruiting and enrolling patients is a fundamental and critical need in clinical trials. Recruitment difficulties can translate into lost revenue and significant delays in getting new, cutting edge medicines to patients,” said Mark A. Goldberg, M.D., President and Chief Operating Officer, Paraxel. “Through our extensive Site Alliance network, Paraxel has the quality relationships and expertise to provide a solution to this challenge and help our clients meet their clinical trial recruiting and enrolment needs.”

Recently, the company reports that it used one of its Site Alliance network partners to recruit more than 8,250 people across 40 sites for a Phase III clinical trial. Parexel says the team was able to randomise the first patient within five weeks – several months ahead of schedule – helping create a cost saving of close to 40 percent.

“Paraxel has developed a strategic and relationship-driven approach to address one of the most critical challenges in the clinical trials journey – the patient enrolment process,” said Paul Evans, Vice President and Global Head, Feasibility and Enrolment Solutions, Paraxel. “Through our Site Alliance network, we’re better able to help pharmaceutical companies improve patient enrolment and accelerate the pace of clinical trials – making it possible to reduce time to market.”