BioClinica launches software to optimise clinical trial supply

BioClinica Optimizer has launched to allow users to simulate and optimise their clinical trials, providing information to identify potential supply shortages or excesses and study delays.

Spiralling clinical trial costs and timelines have created demand for eClinical companies that can streamline processes. BioClinica bought Tourtellotte Solutions in September 2009 to strengthen in this niche and has now repackaged and enhanced some of the assets it acquired.

The Optimizer software package includes tcVisualise and tcOptimizer that were developed by Tourtellotte. Combining the tools allows users to simulate clinical trial supply requirements and use this information to improve the planning process.

Once the trial has begun real-world information can be inputted into the programme. This data replaces the predictions to improve simulation accuracy and help better predict potential problems.

Mark Weinstein, CEO of BioClinica, explained that the software package gives users “access to the highest quality tools and experience to help them maximise productivity and results”.

Using the package users can streamline the “vital process” of planning clinical trials, “potentially saving them hundreds of thousands of dollars per trial”, according to Weinstein. BioClinica also claims that in many cases Optimizer can pay for itself after one study.

Supply chain modelling

BioClinica Optimizer allows the user to model unlimited scenarios using multiple supply strategies. It is effective for multi-national trials, can handle an unlimited number of centres and depots and allows for enrolment to be varied by country and site.

The resupply strategy can then be modified using Monte Carlo statistical analysis, a class of computational algorithms which use repeated random sampling to generate data.

This information can help users eliminate excess waste, stock-outs, emergency remediation and trial delays.