INC Research latest to embrace eClinical

INC Research is the latest firm to embrace eClinical software, forming a non-exclusive partnership for the technology with Medidata Solutions.

The North Carolina-based contract research organisation (CRO) began building electronic data capture (EDC) expertise among its staff since 2001 has already been trialling the use of such software in its studies, but it has now decided to cement its commitment to the technology in order to modernise and create new services revenue.

INC Research will now implement Medidata's Rave EDC, management and reporting solution in all its clinical development programs across 30 countries throughout the world.

According to a statement released by the two firms, out of 16 vendors, "Rave was chosen for its ease of deployment, user friendliness, intuitive interface, unique reporting capabilities and the level of supplemental support available from Medidata."

"INC Research was also impressed with Rave's ability to present clinical data in any language in real-time around the world, a critical component of INC Research's Asian strategy as well as growth in other areas."

Medidata Rave will now allow the entire research team - sponsors and INC Research employees - to have access to data in real-time.

In addition, the technology implementation is said to compliment INC Research's existing process methodology and bring precious time-savings to the cumbersome and cash-burning clinical trial process.

"Customers will have a truly global EDC platform that is easier to set up," said Alistair Macdonald, vice president of data services for INC Research.

"Data can be collected faster with Rave, and it will also allow us to close the database faster - up to many weeks earlier - giving our customers the data they need sooner."

The firm has followed somewhat in the footsteps of drug giant AstraZeneca who recently decided to make all of its clinical trials paperless and will exclusively use Medidata to assist in the process.

AstraZeneca will now standardise all its studies on Medidata Rave, replacing its in-house EDC system and any other EDC products currently being used.

"When implemented, we look forward to achieving significant improvement in clinical efficiency, with the goal of improving overall time to market," Anders Ekblom, vice president and head of clinical development at AstraZeneca said at the time of the announcement.

"AstraZeneca has high expectations for Medidata and Rave."