The Alliance for Multispecialty Research (AMR), based in Spring Hill, Tenn., is offering a new gratis service developed by its Alliance of 16 independently owned and managed clinical research centers of excellence across the U.S. and implemented on several recent sponsors' programs, including bioterrorism vaccines, obesity, and tobacco-related projects. 

AMR’s “core team” concept centers around early-on partnering with both sponsor and any affiliated contractors to provide detailed advice from across AMR member-centers’ broad base of clinical trials experience gained over more than 30 years in the industry.

Collaboration begins as early as possible with development of the protocol, candid feasibility assessments, a rapid regulatory approval and contract negotiation process, and team-generated supportive clinical trial materials. The highly coordinated effort includes regularly scheduled member-participant teleconferences and continues throughout the entire study conduct and follow-up process, thereby maximizing efficiencies while minimizing overall study costs. Any potentially problematic issues are identified and addressed early-on with a continuing goal of successful study completion and continuing long-term relationships with industry partners.

Communication is key to the core team process, with a strong AMR team led by the designated core team chairperson who will serve as the conduit for channeling information between the various sponsors, contractors and participating AMR team members. Working in direct parallel to the sponsor/CRO study team, a separate AMR core team chairperson is assigned to each program in which Alliance members comprise a majority of the participating centers. Service offerings are carefully tailored to the individual sponsor and study needs with coordination of the core team process led by Brenda Atchison, executive director, and the dedicated staff in AMR’s national headquarters.