Vaccines trials in the COVID-19 era and tech's role in speeding studies

Overview

The COVID-19 outbreak has exposed the challenges pharmaceutical companies face as they race to develop a coronavirus vaccine.

Thrown into even sharper relief than usual are the needs faced by all vaccine trials to balance study speed, data accuracy and patient experience.

Additionally, given the fear of exposure and city mandates for individuals to stay at home, traditional patient recruitment challenges are exacerbated for a coronavirus trial.  Placebo groups are unlikely to be used and the virus affects a very broad and non-discriminate patient population.

So, what is technology’s role in supporting the faster evaluation of vaccines? The right data capture technology can provide some important ways to first speed up vaccines research and then gain quicker regulatory submissions, compared with traditional paper records.

However, with patients’ expectations , it’s important to provide an experience of suitable quality to those who give up their time to take part in a study.

The pharmaphorum webinar Vaccines trials in the era of COVID-19 – balancing study speed, accuracy and patient experience was held in association with ERT.

This webinar took place on 8th April from 16:00 to 17:00 (BST)/11:00 to 12:00 (EST) and looked at how to balance trial speed, data accuracy and patient experience during the race for a coronavirus vaccine.

Focus

Our expert panel discussed:

• Trial evolution so far and the impact of coronavirus
• Specific challenges for trial sponsors working on a coronavirus vaccine
• The impact of COVID-19 and patient participation
• Patient experience in vaccines clinical trials
• The role of virtual trial solutions
• Efficient and robust capture of patient data in vaccine trials

To view the webinar on demand please click here or on the button above or below.

Our panel

Matthew McCarty, Vice President Digital Patient , ERT

Matt is responsible for defining and leading the product strategy for ERT’s digital patient product line, with a focus on direct to patient enablement in both post-approval research and patient support. Matt has spent the last 12 years leading teams and innovating products in both the clinical research and commercial healthcare settings to reduce the patient burden of participation and to support patients in their healthcare journey. Most recently, Matt was Global Head of Patient Engagement for ICON’s Commercialisation & Outcomes division and, prior to that, Head of Direct to Patient Research (Virtual Trials) at IQVIA.

Chris Watson, PhD, Director of Product Strategy, Digital Patient, ERT

Chris is an experienced Product Strategist with over 20 years’ experience in the delivery of business and consumer-based solutions, the last 12 of which have been focused within the clinical technology industry. He has an extensive knowledge of product and software development processes and is responsible for implementing the product strategy for ERT’s Digital Patient business. Chris earned his PhD in Behavioral Neurosciences from the University of Nottingham and a BSC in Pharmacology and Toxicology, with honours, from the University of Bradford, UK

Nadeeka Dias, PhD, Sr. Clinical Science Advisor, ERT

Nadeeka is a clinical scientist with over 10 years of in-depth experience with conducting and supporting clinical research trials. At ERT, Dr. Dias provides scientific and technology guidance to global sponsors on electronic clinical outcome assessments (eCOA) across several therapeutic areas. In addition to leading the ERT Science team in thought leadership strategy, her expertise extends to instrument development and validation, COA regulatory guidance, and product/software development. Nadeeka completed her Ph.D. in Neuroscience at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and her Postdoctoral Fellowship at Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital.

Moderated by Paul Tunnah, CEO, pharmaphorum

Paul Tunnah is CEO and Founder of pharmaphorum media, which facilitates productive engagement for pharma, bringing healthcare together to drive medical innovation. It combines industry-leading content and social media engagement services with the globally recognised news, information and insight portal pharmaphorum.com, working with pharmaceutical companies, service providers and broader healthcare organisations to help communicate their thought leadership and connect them with relevant stakeholders.