Quintiles launches its first US clinical trial network to tackle patient recruitment issues
national clinical trial network comprised of Onmark members - a
move that could help the CRO cope with increasing patient
recruitment issues in the US.
This partnership, the first of this kind for contract research organisation (CRO) Quintiles, will give the opportunity to community-based oncology practices - members of Onmark's organisation - to participate in Phase II and Phase III clinical trials of investigational cancer treatments.
Onmark, a group purchasing organisation (GPO) for community-based practices, launched the network after 80 oncology practices expressed their interest in participating in a Phase III trial for a potential breast cancer treatment.
"Our partnership with Onmark represents the first time that Quintiles has entered into an exclusive clinical trial arrangement with a group purchasing organisation," said Adam Chasse, director, Global Access to Patients, for Quintiles.
"Because the majority of oncology care is delivered in the community setting, it makes sense for us to partner with a community-focused GPO such as Onmark."
For Quintiles, the benefits of this joint venture are evident as it will provide the company with new access to potential subjects for anti-cancer treatments trials at a time when pharmaceutical companies and CROs are struggling to recruit clinical volunteers, particularly in the US.
Chasse from Quintiles added that that Onmark's membership of over 2,100 oncology practices in the US will enhance the North Carolina-based firm's ability to conduct clinical trials and provide more treatment options for oncology patients.
In addition, this collaboration represents a great chance for patients to gain easier access to potential anti-cancer treatments.
"The opportunity for patients to participate in a clinical trial right in their own community is critical because it gives them access to potentially beneficial treatments beyond conventional therapy and means they do not have to travel long distances to university hospitals," said Shawna Jarrett, president of Southern Oncology Association of Practices (SOAP), which represents more than 120 oncology practices in 12 states.
"This new clinical trial offering complements the valuable clinical tools, educational programs and practice management resources that Onmark already provides."
Nearly 600 new cancer medicines are currently in development, according to Kim Bergstrom, chief clinical officer of OTN and clinical advisor to Onmark, which creates the need for an expanded access to cancer patients and oncologists for clinical trials.
"By providing Onmark members with access to leading clinical trials, we are strengthening our portfolio of clinical offerings and delivering valuable benefits to our members and their patients."
As part of the agreement, Quintiles will also provide educational workshops about clinical trial management to Onmark members. In these workshops, nurses, practice administrators and clinicians will be trained about clinical trial protocol compliance, US Food and Drug Administration regulations, informed consent, organising a practice for research and other relevant topics, the company said.
