The State of Clinical Trials in the U.K. and Europe
Dec 13, 2023
auto_awesome
Chris Moore, President of Veeva Europe, shares his insights on the evolving landscape of clinical trials in the U.K. and Europe. He discusses the recent government efforts to revitalize the U.K. life sciences sector, detailing the impact of Brexit and COVID-19. Moore emphasizes the need for improved technology in clinical trial processes, addressing challenges like data fragmentation. He also explores the European Commission's initiatives for a unified medicines market and the potential of AI to enhance efficiency and access in healthcare.
Diversity in clinical trial participants is crucial for achieving representative treatment outcomes, particularly as trials increasingly target specific diseases.
The UK faces challenges in clinical trial initiations due to Brexit and the NHS's limitations, prompting calls for regulatory reforms and a robust life sciences strategy.
Deep dives
Trends and Challenges in Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are increasingly focusing on specialty areas and the need for diverse patient populations. The ability to find the right patients efficiently is critical, as these trials often target specific diseases rather than general populations. Additionally, predictability in regulatory conditions is becoming a significant factor when companies decide on trial locations, emphasizing the importance of having a clear understanding of the regulatory landscape. With these trends, organizations recognize that improving diversity among patient groups is essential to ensure that treatment outcomes are truly representative of the broader population.
Impact of Brexit and NHS Strain on the UK
The UK has witnessed a notable decline in new clinical trial initiations, attributed to several compounding factors, including Brexit and the overstretched National Health Service (NHS). The uncertainty surrounding the post-Brexit regulatory environment has made the UK less attractive for clinical trials, as the once-favorable conditions for drug registration have shifted. Furthermore, the pandemic exacerbated these challenges, revealing both weaknesses and strengths in the UK's trial execution capabilities. Policymakers are now focusing on revitalizing the sector, recognizing the need for a robust life sciences strategy to regain lost traction.
Future Directions and Innovations in Clinical Trials
Recent initiatives, such as the government investing in life sciences research and the recommendations from the Lord O'Shaughnessy report, are promising steps towards addressing barriers in clinical trial processes. The report highlights the necessity of regulatory reforms and faster setups to make the UK a more attractive destination for clinical studies. Moreover, advancements in technology, including improved data sharing between pharmaceutical companies and clinical research organizations, aim to decrease the friction in trial execution. As digital solutions take center stage, the focus shifts towards enhancing patient access and participation in trials, ultimately leading to faster and more cost-effective studies.
We have a special episode for you this week! In a twist to our usual format, Nicole Raleigh of Pharmaphorum is in the host seat interviewing Veeva’s Chris Moore about his outlook on clinical trials in the U.K. and Europe. In a wide-ranging conversation, they cover the recent report from Lord O’Shaughnessy on U.K. life sciences, the impact of EU CTR, the potential and pitfalls of artificial intelligence, and what R&D organizations need next.
Get in touch with us if you would like to contribute to the podcast or share your feedback SDCTpod@veeva.com
Subscribe to State of Digital Clinical Trials, a Veeva podcast, to get new episodes as soon as they are released.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode