Medidata publishes research report on the future of clinical trials

08.09.2022 09:49

Medidata, a Dassault Systèmes company, publishes the report "European Industry Research Report: The Future of Clinical Trials". The report is based on new independent research that includes insights from 400 clinical trials executives from Germany, Switzerland, France and the United Kingdom. The aim of the survey was to gain a deeper understanding of how clinical trials have changed in the past two years, how new technologies play a role and what the future could bring in this area.

The report is part of Medidata's ongoing efforts to better understand the evolution of technology use in clinical research and the needs of sponsors, partners and patients. The outbreak of the pandemic brought with it a host of challenges for clinical trials. As a result, companies and sites conducting clinical trials have been forced to use technology wherever possible to advance their research. With these experiences, the industry now emerges stronger and with an increasingly technology-driven approach that will benefit it and, more importantly, the very patients on whom it depends.

The key findings of the investigation include:

● Clinical trial processes have changed – for the better. Organizations have had to adapt quickly to continue their work as the pandemic spread. These changes have improved clinical trials.

o More than a third of respondents (37%) cited better quality clinical trial results since the pandemic as one of the three most important advances. 36% report that recruitment and enrollment into trials, as well as patient experiences, have also improved.

o 99.7% of respondents believe that all or some improvements to the clinical trial process resulting from the pandemic will be permanent.

● The demand for decentralized solutions continues to increase. Decentralization and patient-centered practice are core elements of change, and organizations expect the new solutions to become increasingly mainstream.

o Respondents note that the average number of studies using at least one decentralized technology has increased from 43% before the pandemic to 55% currently and the projected average in five years will be 66%.
o Key benefits of a decentralized approach (DCT approach) include tighter compliance and governance (42%), improved patient recruitment and retention (41%), and more positive patient experiences and engagement (41%).

● Clinical trials will increasingly rely on technological solutions. From big data and increasing computing power to wearable technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), organizations are adopting new innovative tools and solutions – and they are here to stay.
o 92% of respondents indicated that clinical trials in their country always or often rely on technological solutions.
o When asked which technology holds the most promise for the future of clinical research, more than a third of respondents (36%) cited AI as one of the top three options.

● Patient-centered approach continues to be an important focus. Patients are at the heart of clinical research and there is increasing recognition that trials must be focused on them.
o The majority of respondents (92%) believe that post-pandemic clinical trials are more patient-focused than ever before.
o When asked about the most important industry trends in the next five years, patient orientation was the top priority - 42% of respondents named this as one of the three most important trends.

“Our new study shows the resilience of the industry as it learns lessons from the pandemic
and how it uses technology to benefit patients,” says Pete Buckman, EMEA Site
Leader and Senior Vice President of Professional Services at Medidata. “At Medidata we have one
have seen real change in the way clinical trials are conducted, and we look forward to
to experience even more innovations and progress. By continuing the current processes
questioning, investing in new technologies and working with everyone involved can
industry to further improve the methods for clinical development and thus also the results.
The future of clinical trials and drug development is therefore very promising.”

The study was conducted by independent research firm Vanson Bourne and by Medidata
Sponsored.