Advarra Publishes the State of Clinical Trial Activation at Sites Report

The report outlines actions to streamline study activation and maximize operational efficiency, making clinical research safer, smarter, and faster.

(COLUMBIA, MD., April 14, 2021) – Advarra, the market leader in regulatory review solutions, research quality, compliance consulting services, and clinical site technologies, today announced the publication of The State of Clinical Trial Activation at Sites, a report providing actionable solutions to streamline study activation and maximize operational efficiency. The report is based on a survey Advarra conducted in late 2020.

Industry data suggest that it can take over 180 days to activate a clinical research study and the process continues to get longer. The longer it takes for a new therapy to reach the market, the more time and resources research sites use, and these delays potentially hinder their chances of being selected for future trials. Additionally, sponsors are trying to solve mission-critical challenges to bring life-changing therapies to patients faster.

In an attempt to learn more about study activation challenges, Advarra surveyed clinical research professionals from academic and commercial sites. In the survey, clinical research site professionals examined the industry’s current study activation process and identified key processes its impacts, and associated resource constraints. Top-line findings include:

• 35% of survey respondents reported activation timelines of 91 days or more.
• Only 19% indicated their study activation process is completed in 30 days or less.
• Investigative sites (including independent, private practice, and dedicated research sites) were more likely to report shorter activation timelines (80% reported 60 days or fewer) than hospital/health system-based sites (34%) or AMCs and universities (21%).

The report illustrates five key success factors affecting study activation and suggests solutions to sites wanting to improve their study activation process. While activation timelines have continued to lengthen, hindering protocol startup goals, there are tactics sites can implement that will help make protocol activation more efficient.

“Through this survey, we were able to identify specific pain points sites face during study activation,” said Dr. Wendy Tate, Director of Research Operations at Advarra. “This report gives researchers a bird’s-eye view of trends in the industry and provides specific ways to improve study activation at the site level. By leveraging the right resources, sites can find efficiencies in a connected clinical trial ecosystem to perform safer, smarter, faster research.”

About Advarra

Advarra advances the way clinical research is conducted: bringing life sciences companies, CROs, research sites, investigators, and academia together at the intersection of safety, technology, and collaboration. With trusted IRB and IBC review solutions, innovative technologies, experienced consultants, and deep-seated connections across the industry, Advarra provides integrated solutions that safeguard trial participants, empower clinical sites, ensure compliance, and optimize research performance. Advarra is advancing clinical trials to make them safer, smarter, and faster. For more information, visit www.advarra.com.

Back to Resources