According to Cutting Edge Information Research, Outsourcing More Common as Trials Progress

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC--(Marketwire - October 22, 2008) - Clinical trials have seen a trend of gradually but steadily being outsourced to other countries in order to preserve and mitigate resources. This trend has seen outsourcing reach 40% of company personnel in Phase 3 clinical trials, according to the report "Streamlining Clinical Trials," written by business intelligence firm Cutting Edge Information.

Although companies continue to invest in themselves and their internal personnel, outside investigators are routinely utilized to provide a wider range of demographical research, a greater wealth of information on conducting clinical trials, speed up the clinical process, and most importantly save money. One of the challenges that these outside firms assist with is recruiting an ample patient population and help control the retention of that population once a trial has been initiated. The proficiency and need for outsourced clinical trial firms causes the rate of outsourced staff to rise from 31.4% in Phase 1 clinical trials to 40% in Phase 3 clinical trials.

"With increased regulation, decreased sample populations, and advancements in the abilities and capacities of foreign companies to fulfill and satisfy clinical trial activity, pharmaceutical organizations look for assistance as the progression of drugs in clinical trials develops," says David Richardson, research team leader at Cutting Edge Information. "Companies enjoy the freedom that clinical trial specialists give them to conduct other activities involving a new drug."

The report, "Streamlining Clinical Trials," (www.clinicaltrialbenchmarking.com) covers resource allocation, performance measurement, continuous process improvement, patient and investigator recruitment and adaptive trial designs. Data include clinical development budgets, clinical operations team structures, performance measurement and management, clinical operations hurdles and process improvement tools and tactics. The report focuses on three aspects:

Patient Recruitment: Patient recruitment continues to dominate clinical timelines and budgets. The report devotes an entire chapter to this challenge, providing the latest trends and tools in recruitment.

Budgeting and Performance Assessments: Clinical project managers must set clear performance expectations and measure and manage trials. The report provides clinical spending benchmarks to assist in trial budgeting and planning.

Clinical Operations Structure and Work Flow: Clinical trial management team members must know their roles and responsibilities, and communication with vendors and investigators must be seamless. The report outlines major obstacles clinical teams face and presents real-company, proven solutions.

Contact Information: CONTACT INFORMATION: David Richardson 919-433-0216