Iqvia ‘rethinking the clinical research paradigm’ with virtual research solutions suite

The offering is powered by the Iqvia Study Hub, which manages workflows, supports patient communications, stores documentation, captures study activity, and hosts telemedicine visits, according to the company.

Richard Staub, president of research and development solutions at Iqvia said the suite of solutions will help clients overcome barriers “that have plagued traditional clinical research for decades,”​ including geographic and logistical limitations, as well as patient enrollment and retention.

“Through this suite, we are rethinking the clinical research paradigm by integrating the patient into trial design and operations,”​ he told us.

“With a virtual study team and local healthcare provider visits, patient participation can happen right from their homes via a combination of mobile technology, connected devices, and telemedicine.”​

The offering follows an industry-wide need to access diverse patient populations, as recruitment remains one of the most challenging aspects of completing a study, Staub said, noting that nearly half of all trial participants drop out before a study ends.

Additionally, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requiring more patient diversity in pre- and post-marketing studies, as “products are safer and more effective when research includes diverse populations,” ​said Staub.

“Challenging the traditional clinical research mindset, this offering creates a patient-centric approach for those with more complex research situations, especially in rare diseases or long-term safety studies requiring years of follow-up,”​ he added.

According to Staub, improving the implementation of virtual trials will help the industry overcome many of the obstacles currently faced, particularly in rare disease research, in which patients are widely disseminated.

“In a time where connectivity is transforming every industry, it’s time for one of the most critical functions in the biopharmaceutical space to evolve and take it to the next level,” ​he said.