Running Decentralized Trials at Scale
Summary: There’s been a rapid shift towards decentralization in clinical trials and it’s clear why. The potential for reaching a larger pool of recruits is possible when sponsors can bring more trial activities to the patient. Tele visits, digital consent, new monitoring sensors, and direct-to-patient supply are virtual tools that existed before the pandemic. But now there’s swift adoption of these methods because they’ve been proven to help launch and complete trials more effectively.
Yet it’s important to note that there’s a significant learning curve for sponsors as these new methods graduate from early-phase into larger pivotal trials that must prove efficacy. There are pitfalls to avoid and key elements to keep front and center. Most trials won’t be fully virtual, but all trials will be more virtual.