With the increasing interest and investment in decentralized clinical trials, enabling effective data capture and analysis is more important than ever. In 2022 alone, the global market for electronic data capture (EDC) systems in the clinical research industry was worth about USD $1.25 billion; its compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for expansion between 2023 and 2030 was estimated at 14.6%. Electronic Data Capture (EDC) has become an essential tool for clinical research, as it allows for the collection, management, and analysis of clinical trial data in a more efficient and accurate manner. Vial CRO is a leading global contract research organization (CRO) that offers EDC solutions to improve the speed, efficiency, and quality of clinical trials. In this article, we will compare Vial CRO’s EDC to those utilized by industry giants such as IQVIA, PPD, and ICON, reviewing their features, capabilities, and potential for future growth.
Vial CRO’s EDC Platform
As a tech-first CRO, Vial’s mission is to enable more efficient clinical trials by providing biopharma and biotech sponsors with a connected, end-to-end suite of digital trial management software. At the core of their all-encompassing integrated eClinical platform lies Vial CRO’s EDC.
In-House Team
Vial has an in-house software engineering team, that has built a custom EDC which enables:
– Streamlined startup and build processes
– Minimized vendor dependencies
– The ability to custom integrate data & meet custom needs for your study
The perks of an in-house EDC built by and for the CRO is the ability for Vial to directly manage the technology without third-party intervention. It also allows Vial to manage who and how it is deployed, providing assistance to sites directly to ensure proper function.
Cloud-Native Infrastructure and Security Compliance
Housed within a cloud-native infrastructure, the Vial EDC brings a consumer-grade experience to the eClinical suite and offers a user-friendly interface that is easy for users to navigate. The software is fully encrypted and maintains strict compliance with the latest regulatory guidelines, such as the United States Food and Drug Administration’s 21 CFR Part 11, HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), ensuring valuable clinical trial data will remain secure and confidential.
Intuitive eCRF, Customizable Forms, and eSource
The intuitive eCRF (electronic case report form) data input format is particularly useful for introducing ease and efficiency into data management procedures for site and sponsor teams. The platform’s highly customizable forms can be tailored to meet the specific needs of different sponsors and allow the collection of clinical trial data in a structured format that meets the study’s specific requirements.
To further streamline trial workflows by freeing an overreliance on paper-based reporting, Vial EDC offers simple, eSource (electronic source), real-time eCRF data capture to accelerate performance and reduce the risk of data loss. This is particularly important when vital data is required to make timely clinical decisions about the study or any of its participants.
This system also comes equipped with robust user permissions and data access model, detailed end-to-end audit trails, extensive data export capabilities, and a full data management suite of features essential for reviewing and cleaning trial data.
Comparing EDC Capabilities: ICON, IQVIA, PPD
Like Vial, global CROs such as IQVIA, PPD, and ICON are increasingly expanding their decentralized clinical trial capabilities through the development of modern data management tools. However, many CROs do not build in-house EDC systems. Many CROs partner with SaaS technology vendors to integrate into their technology stack.
ICON Vs. Vial EDC
ICON’s Prism EDC comes packaged within the Prism eClinical Solution and allows for remote data accessibility, straightforward data comparability, and convenient dataset conversions. Like with Vial EDC, ICON’s platform aggregates and manages input from multiple data sources; however, it has yet to offer additional integrations with eCOA, eSource, or ePRO tools built within the same infrastructure.
IQVIA & PPD Vs. Vial EDC
Similar to Vial, IQVIA and PPD also offer a clinical trial data management platform to streamline data collection and review, such as integrated data flow ecosystems, eCOA and ePRO tools, and remote monitoring capabilities. However, these companies utilize third-party vendors or SaaS partners for building out EDC technology instead of a 100% in-house build. Compared with IQVIA and PPD, Vial CRO continues to drive digital trial technology forward by also developing an affordable in-house EDC to best complement their eClinical solution in one convenient package.
Industry Giants in EDC Solutions
In addition to innovative CROs like Vial developing their own digital ecosystems, there are older industry giants with systems that are widespread within the clinical trial industry. For example, Oracle’s EDC solution offers a comprehensive data management platform that allows for the integration of data from multiple sources, offers advanced analytics capabilities, and ensures a secure, compliant platform to protect trial data. Additionally, Medidata’s EDC enables remote data access via a cloud-based platform that enables real-time data management and data capture on the go with the associated mobile app.
The software team at Vial recognizes the most valuable features an EDC system should offer to streamline clinical trial workflows, and therefore, has been designed to offer similar services as those of Oracle’s and Medidata’s but at a drastically more affordable price. Like Medidata, Vial CRO’s eClinical platform encompasses a suite of technology, including ePRO, eCOA, and eSource, which integrate seamlessly with Vial EDC to form a single home for trial data. Vial also has a data integration platform that can provide custom, flexible integration capabilities between external data sources such as central labs, imaging, and even other eClinical software.
Vial EDC provides similar capabilities to that of Oracle’s, ensuring its reliability for clinical trials that generate substantial amounts of data and for large global trials that require data from various sources.
Vial EDC: Dependable, Affordable, and Simple Data Capture
Vial EDC offers a solution for current limitations presented by existing industry EDC giants. First, older systems like Oracle especially do not possess the capacity to allow real-time data capture through crosstalk with external tools like ePRO or digital wearables. Vial’s eClinical platform, like IQVIA’s and PPD’s, also comes equipped with a variety of tools commonly used for robust clinical trial data collection, but with an additional offering of a complementary EDC and eSource integration. This would be especially advantageous for smaller companies who may not have the budget or technical expertise to use or afford overly complex ecosystems. Ultimately, the choice of EDC solution depends on the specific needs of the clinical trial and the resources available to the organization. Companies and organizations should carefully evaluate their options and choose an EDC solution that meets their needs and budget.
Vial is a next-generation, global full-service CRO powered by intuitive end-to-end technology. Our expert team of innovators, engineers, and ClinOps leaders are continuously striving to reimagine clinical trials using digital innovation. Our mission is to empower scientists to discover groundbreaking scientific therapeutics that help people live happier, healthier lives.
To discover how we are delivering faster, more efficient trials at dramatically lower costs for biotech sponsors, contact a team member today!
