October 1994 - The CenterWatch Monthly : Volume 1, Issue 2, October 1994

Private Doctors Launch Nationwide Consortium

Affiliated Research Centers (ARC) represents 34 centers and 158 investigators.

Investigator-owned company eyes capturing 50 percent of market for urological clinical research.

The company expects to launch nationwide consortiums in 11 other fields.

Second Thoughts About Thought Leaders

Poor performance by Thought Leaders has drug companies rethinking how they should use them.

Analysis of large Phase III trial shows that the Thought Leaders performed poorly in terms of speed and quality, and were more expensive than average.

Sponsors have an opportunity to improve clinical trials process by making more judicious use of Thought Leaders.

Sponsors Turning More Critical of Investigators' Performance

Sponsors using more systematic methods to measure investigators' performance.

Over 35 U.S. pharmaceutical companies now using industry data base to compare center costs.

Sponsors using Freedom of Information Act to determine if investigators have been cited for deficiencies.

Sandoz Developing New Strategy for Siting Phase III Trials

"Portfolio" approach will rank candidate investigators based on past performance in three areas: speed, quality, and cost.

Only higher-ranked investigators will win contracts.

Study shows portfolio approach will result in improved data quality, lower study costs per patient, and quicker completion of Phase III trials.

• Phase II Watch