Investigator satisfaction and central lab performance: Report

10-Sep-2019 - Last updated on 10-Sep-2019 at 13:36 GMT

(Image: Getty/RamCreativ)

Fewer investigators cite patient recruitment as a top challenge in a recent report which finds investigators also more willing to participate in future clinical trials if working with a preferred central lab.

“The longitudinal findings show an interesting trend that efforts made by sponsors and external providers are paying dividends,” said Jon Meyer, co-founder and principal, Life Science Strategy Group

“Namely, the percent of trial investigators indicating patient recruitment as a top challenge has dropped consistently since 2011 from 85% of investigators, to 69% of investigators in 2019, respectively,” he explained.

After patient recruitment, investigators cited the payment/compensation process (38%) and meeting sponsors’ timelines (33%) as the most difficult challenges.

Additionally, they also recommended that sponsors improve collaboration earlier in the trial processes, and more than half said sponsors should better consider investigators’ needs.

Per the report, 50% said the trial registration process could be made easier and 44% state sponsors could improve communication.

Despite these challenges, however, approximately three-quarters of investigators reported being ‘very willing’ to participate in future clinical trials.

The main reasons for this include patient access to new medications (66%), the knowledge gained from the trial (62%), and better care for patients (56%), according to the report.

The central laboratory

Also affecting the investigator’s desire to participate in future trials is the selected central lab. Per the report, up to 61% of investigators said the central lab affects their success, willingness to participate in a future trial, and the support staff’s related activities.

“Our findings reaffirm Covance Central Laboratory as the dominant provider among clinical trial investigators and uncover important longitudinal market trends, such as growing central laboratory consolidation,” Meyer told us, noting that investigators are working with fewer central laboratories.

According to the report, Covance Central Laboratory is the most preferred central laboratory, among 56% of investigators, who reporting being more satisfied and willing to work with sponsors using their preferred central lab.

Contributing factors to naming a most preferred central lab include past experience, ease of supply re-order, as well as efficiency and reliability.