A survey conducted by Clinical Research IO has found that 24 percent of investigators across 73 different research sites have stopped new patient enrollment due to concerns about COVID-19. Another 37 percent of investigators who responded to the survey say they are considering ceasing new patient enrollment due to COVID-19 safety concerns.

The survey also found that sites are seeing a 9 percent decrease in patient retention, suggesting that one in 10 patients are withdrawing from a trial possibly for fear of exposure to the virus. Approximately 63 percent of sites also reported that they have stopped on-site monitoring by sponsors.

Clinical Research IO says it believes these slowdowns in patient enrollment and retention will result in a significant drop in the number of breakthrough medications that are approved over the next five years.