Posted on October 14th, 2011

Conclusions of DIA Clinical Forum and Presentation Download

“This DIA event was, in my opinion, extremely successful. The DIA departed from the usual themed track approach and created dynamic cross-functional themes which had interesting breakout sessions and expert debates. The standing of the speakers and the delivered content was truly on the mark and participants received expert tips on many industry challenges.

A couple of clear messages emerged from this year’s Clinical Forum:

• The need to realign public trust in the clinical research process. Over 75% of participants voted that our clinical research customers have lost faith in our processes. Trust needs to be rebuilt.
• Patient recruitment still plagues successful trial fulfillment. No real new ideas emerging and social media still seems an evolving strategy, though still awaiting regulatory direction.
• Emerging territories, while offering exceptional commercial potential, clinical research operations are continuing to be challenging and regulatory changes which frustrate many new study initiatives.
• Interestingly, many speakers alluded to the fact that complex and novel clinical research is moving towards the CRO sector. Some conclusions drawn could be that many major companies are mitigating risk by placing projects with experienced CROs when projects fall outside their traditional therapeutic comfort zone.
• Data standardization and electronic healthcare records still seem to be a thorny issue between the US and EU regulatory philosophies. Very much a question of ‘watch this space’.
• More surprisingly there seems to be a developing consensus by the FDA and EMA that the clinical trial process has become too arduous for our investigators. The talk is positive to expedite regulatory processes, though the hard endpoints are a little more elusive.

In general the meeting was multi-disciplinary and cross-functional. Probably one of the better DIA events that I have attended. Secondly, the DIA are attempting to get closer to the patient advocacy groups, who I must say, didn’t pull their punches describing Pharma’s seemingly antiquated clinical trial model. The quote of the conference was “perfect health is just an incomplete diagnosis” from the President of the Alzheimer’s Association.”
David J. Cocker

If you want to download David Cocker’s presentation, please click here.

Tags: Business, General, Meetings/Events, Product news