INC Research Holdings, a global phase I-IV CRO headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., has announced an expanded partnership with the Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS), an Ellicott City, Md.-based global trade organization, to become the society’s first Circle of Sustainability Sponsor, reinforcing the INC’s commitment to fostering strong site relationships globally.

INC Research will be the first organization to support SCRS’ new member scholarship program, as well as the first CRO to establish a site advocacy group (SAG). INC Research also will continue as a global impact partner and site appreciation reception sponsor for all of SCRS’ Site Solutions Summit events globally across 2015.

“Sites are critical to the clinical development process and it is important that we continue to recognize their contributions and provide them with the support they need to be successful,” said Jamie Macdonald, INC Research CEO. “Through our participation, INC is afforded additional avenues to actively listen to and engage with site communities across the globe, allowing us to gain valuable perspectives earlier in the clinical trials process that we believe will lead to greater predictability in site performance, improved site sustainability and ultimately faster delivery of new medications to patients.”

“As an industry, it’s imperative that we more fully understand and identify high-performing clinical research sites and develop new models to improve site sustainability,” said Christine Pierre, president, SCRS. “Having INC Research’s continued support for endeavors like our SAG program, which was initiated to catalyze productive dialogue between sites and industry, and our new member scholarship program, which grants SCRS membership to 500 non-member sites, is invaluable as we continue to advance the role of sites in clinical research.”

As the first sponsor of SCRS’ scholarship program, INC Research will support the society’s efforts in retaining and sustaining sites currently participating in clinical research and building the critical mass of sites conducting clinical research around the globe, with a goal of expanding site membership in SCRS to approximately 5,000 sites in 2015. SCRS provides training, experience and mentoring needed to achieve excellence among sites and establish their ongoing commitment to the conduct of clinical trials.

INC Research will be the first CRO to establish a SAG, a new concept currently in use by pharmaceutical organizations such as TransCelerate BioPharma and Eli Lilly to facilitate ongoing dialogue with clinical investigators and site professionals worldwide in an effort to improve and drive efficiencies across the clinical development process. INC and investigative sites globally will exchange perspectives and insights on innovative methods, tools and technologies in an effort to enhance clinical research efficiency and more closely align the work of the sites and industry across the research ecosystem.

INC Research has been actively engaged in supporting the efforts of the society, as well as site engagement overall, through a number of initiatives connecting sites, sponsors and CROs in an ongoing dialogue regarding how to work together more effectively to improve the clinical development process for the benefit of patients.