The oncology R&D organization, Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), announced a collaboration with Merck & Co. to bolster patient access to community-based oncology trials.
Merck will deploy SCRI’s Accelero delivery model to improve the efficiency of oncology drug development, according to a release.
Accelero is designed to work with physicians and industry partners to identify challenges and tailor solutions, including health record data transfer, accelerated site start-up, and increased enrollment by helping to match trial sponsors with sites in SCRI’s network.
“By leveraging the Accelero delivery model, we have the potential to reach patients faster, reduce protocol complexity, and make oncology clinical studies more accessible in the communities where patients live,” said Jennifer Coppola, associate vice president and regional head for global clinical trial operations of North America at Merck Research Laboratories, in a statement.
According to SCRI, the platform has delivered site activations up to 50% faster than traditional operations, increased enrollment rates by 19% over the national average and created 95% fewer data changes than traditional clinical research coordinator data entry processes.
“Merck has helped shape the modern era of cancer treatment, and we share a commitment to advance the next generation of cancer medicines through innovative approaches,” SCRI CEO Dee Anna Smith said in a release. “Together, we are committed to accelerating trial delivery, reduce operational friction, and bring research to patients.”
SCRI signed a similar agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb last year to give the British Big Pharma access to Accelero. Prior to that, it worked to standardize its clinical research on a single platform from Veeva Systems and also solidified a deal in May to run diverse clinical trials for AbbVie’s cancer candidates.
Nashville, Tennessee-based SCRI has conducted more than 900 first-in-human clinical trials since its inception, and its network includes 1,500 oncology physicians who provide access to 200 clinical trial locations in 20 states.