Clinical research plays a crucial role in improving the UK's healthcare system by contributing to better patient care, reduced staff turnover, and lower mortality rates. According to a 2018 study by Brunel University London and King's College London, every pound invested in medical research yielded a societal benefit of 25p per year, indefinitely. But over the last five years, headlines have indicated a worrying decline in the number of clinical trials conducted by pharmaceutical companies in the UK. This decline has not only slowed down the speed at which new drugs and treatments are launched to the market, targeting those in most need, but it has also hindered the UK's economic growth, leaving us lagging behind some of our European neighbours.
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry's (ABPI) 2022 report revealed that the number of clinical trials starting in the UK each year had decreased by 41% between 2017 and 2021, with phase three trials declining by 48%. However, the industry is now taking steps to recover following guidance from Lord O’Shaughnessy’s independent review published in May 2023. The UK government has committed to implementing the former Health Minister's recommendations "in full," and there are some promising signs of recovery already being reported. The most notable improvements include a reduction in trial application approval times to within 60 days and a 36% reduction in the set-up time of new commercial studies. But what role do digital technologies play in this resurgence?
To address the post-pandemic lag, the UK government and NHS England have been exploring ways to accelerate clinical trials, such as the introduction of the National Contract Value Review policy. This NHS-wide policy promotes collaboration among all participating organisations, enabling them to function as a single entity. The UK’s clinical research sector not only aims to catch up with its pre-pandemic pace but also aspires to become one of the most attractive places globally for pharmaceutical companies looking to conduct clinical research.
In addition to government policy, innovative solutions that enhance participant experience and increase trial accessibility are crucial in advancing the resurgence of clinical trials in the UK. At Thriva Solutions, we are proud to witness the growing impact of remote diagnostics on the end-to-end trial process. This technology is gaining popularity for its transformative effects, and we are excited to see its role in clinical trials expand.
Overcoming obstacles with traditional clinical trial recruitment
Traditional methods of clinical trial recruitment have often been hindered by logistical challenges and accessibility issues, particularly for individuals from underrepresented communities. Geographic constraints, transportation barriers, and socioeconomic factors have limited participation, leading to skewed and less diverse study populations. It has been observed that over a third of clinical research sites face challenges in recruiting enough eligible participants. Despite 85% of people expressing their willingness to participate in clinical trials, the actual percentage of participants is much smaller in reality.
Digital health technologies (DHTs) offer a transformative solution to these challenges by decentralising trials and enabling remote participation. Through the use of telemedicine, wearable devices, and mobile applications, researchers can engage participants from diverse backgrounds, regardless of their location or circumstance. This approach not only enhances recruitment rates but also fosters inclusivity, ensuring that clinical trial outcomes are representative of a broader slice of the population.
Advancements in hybrid clinical trials
In response to the pandemic, researchers are increasingly embracing hybrid trials, blending decentralisation with remote diagnostic technologies that place participant experience at the forefront of their capability. These technologies offer remote participation, resulting in enhanced recruitment, reduced costs, and are a core tenet of the ABPI's recommendations for strengthening clinical research in the UK.
Empowering participants with self-monitoring tools, such as at-home capillary blood sampling kits, can democratise trial accessibility, foster diversity in participant demographics, and enhance the quality of datasets collected. DHTs provide flexibility that traditional methods lack by bridging face-to-face trials with future decentralisation trends, incorporating remote elements via internet or mobile devices. Convenient remote monitoring minimises disruptions and increases convenience, leading to improved trial outcomes.
Additionally, the emergence of DHTs has also been accompanied by a reduced impact on the environment by eliminating the need for trial participants to travel to and from clinical sites. The average travel distance for participants in the US to reach trial sites for cancer trials in 2021 was reported to be 67 miles. This is not only inconvenient and time-consuming for participants but also has a significant impact on the environment and transportation infrastructure. The shift towards decentralising certain elements of the clinical trial process underscores the importance of embracing technology for a more inclusive and sustainable clinical research future.
Improving the quality of clinical research with a hybrid approach
However, there are some challenges associated with DHTs, such as ensuring proper data collection and management. So how can researchers leverage DHTs to improve the quality of their research while ensuring participant safety?
Digital health technologies (DHTs) are playing an increasingly important role in healthcare management and delivery. They are valuable tools for collecting real-time data on patients, their care journeys, and their responses to clinical interventions. The ability of DHTs to facilitate the accurate measurement of biomarkers is critical to drug development, ultimately making clinical trials more efficient.
The integration of at-home testing into clinical trial frameworks allows for convenient data collection, enabling researchers to monitor participant progress throughout the trial period from the comfort of their homes. This proactive approach facilitates early detection of adverse events and timely intervention, ultimately improving patient safety and trial outcomes.
Reducing cost
Beyond their clinical benefits, DHTs offer significant cost savings for researchers and healthcare organisations alike. By reducing the need for physical infrastructure and streamlining data collection processes, DHTs lower the overall operational costs associated with clinical trials.
Moreover, improved participant retention rates, facilitated by remote monitoring and enhanced participant experiences, contribute to cost savings by reducing the need for re-recruitment and ensuring the continuity of study protocols. These cost efficiencies make clinical research more accessible and sustainable, paving the way for greater investment in medical innovation in the future.
What does the future of DHTs look like?
Looking ahead, the integration of digital health technologies will continue to reshape the landscape of clinical research, driving innovation and unlocking new possibilities for medical discovery. Virtual trials, powered by telemedicine and remote monitoring, will become increasingly prevalent, offering greater flexibility and accessibility for participants.
While challenges remain, including data privacy concerns and regulatory considerations, ongoing collaboration between researchers, industry partners, and regulatory agencies will help address these issues and pave the way for a future where clinical research is more efficient, inclusive, and impactful.
At Thriva Solutions, we fully embrace the opportunities presented by digital health. Our at-home blood testing kits can be easily integrated into any trial framework, providing a flexible, remote health screening capability. We prioritise participant experience by enabling researchers to collect biodata more conveniently. By working together, we aim to harness the power of digital innovation to shape a future where clinical research is more personalised, efficient, and equitable for all individuals.
Want to learn more about our remote diagnostic technology? Get in touch with a member of the team today.