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COVID-19 Pandemic Accelerates Shift Toward Virtual Trials

The Coronavirus Outbreak Could Spark More Efficient R&D

 
• By Melanie Senior

As the global shut-down caused by the coronavirus pandemic continues, sponsors are rushing to adapt clinical trials that can move to partial or completely remote monitoring, allowing patients to remain in their homes but continue to participate in studies. And the outbreak may have another silver lining for the biopharma industry, a chance to rebuild its reputation. 

Virtual scene

If virtual clinical trials had not quite taken off before coronavirus hit the world, they certainly are now. “It feels like every sponsor is coming to us and asking how much of their existing trials can be virtualized, or at least go partly remote,” said Greg Licholai, chief medical officer at PRA Health Sciences, a contract research organization. There is now a dramatic, urgent shift to embrace models that have been technically feasible for many months, even years, but which cultural and mind-set barriers have hitherto blocked. “The majority of trials will adjust to include more remote monitoring and potentially more remote data collection,” said Licholai.

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