Cardiovascular diseases are currently the primary cause of mortality and morbidity globally. Although guidelines have been created for primary prevention and ongoing development of novel drugs, cardiology is not one of the leading therapeutic areas for clinical trials, accounting only for 4% of trials started between 2017 and 2022. However, clinical trials in the cardiovascular arena are projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2022 to 2030.
In a joint statement published in December 2022, the European Society of Cardiology, American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, and the World Heart Federation, have called for changes to the clinical trial process. The pain points mentioned in the article included the increased cost and complexity involved in conducting randomized clinical trials and the growing need to use technology and digital tools to increase the efficiency and quality of trials. This statement echoes a previous article published in JAMA in 2021. The study analyzed the startup time of clinical trial sites in 9 large cardiovascular randomized clinical trials between 2004 and 2017 to find that most sites took nearly nine months, and the top 10% still required a median startup time of 100 days. Sponsors are seeking contract research organizations (CROS) to help conduct speedier cardiology clinical trials. The need for specialized cardiology CROs is growing as sponsors need faster, more affordable, and higher-quality trial results.
Collaborate with Small Cardiology CROs for Faster, Better, and Cheaper Clinical Trials
One solution to the difficulties faced by sponsors in cardiology clinical trials is to partner with a trusted contract research organization (CRO), which can significantly increase the efficiency of the trial process. While larger CROs, like PPD and IQVIA, are more familiar to most, the benefits can be further amplified by working with smaller CROs.
Some of the advantages of smaller CROs include:
- Ability to maintain clinical trial timelines.
- Faster site activation.
- Specialized expertise in trials within the therapeutic area.
- Dedication of resources and time to fewer versus many clients.
- Increased transparency and clarity of communication.
- Fewer delays and overall cost.
We’ve researched CROs that specialize in cardiology indications. Below is a list of the top five CROs for your next cardiology clinical trial.
Top 5 Small CROs for Cardiology Clinical Trials
1. Scirent Clinical Research and Science GMBH
Founded in 2012, Scirent is a full-service contract research organization specializing in cardiovascular clinical trials. While based in Berlin, Germany, Scirent also offers its services in Eastern Europe and North America through its Belgrade and Los Angeles offices. Scirent supports clinical trials for pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies through an extensive global site and specialized investigator network. Although the CRO services encompass the entire trial process, from early protocol development to the publication of results, across all phases, Scirent has developed a focused expertise in complex early clinical trials and medical device trials.
2. Medical Metrics Inc.
Medical Metrics Inc. was established in Houston, Texas, in 2000, and has since supported over 700 clinical trials and research studies globally. Specializing in imaging-based clinical trials, Medical Metrics uses its core lab services to perform independent evaluations of the images for the clinical trials. The CRO’s cardiovascular division has partnered with Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, creating a team of experts that includes cardiologists, vascular surgeons, and radiologists. Through the expertise Medical Metrics has built, it has supported trials across the globe as a full-service CRO. The CRO can assist in all aspects of trials, including pre-clinical imaging evaluation, protocol development, site qualification and training, data management, image review, project management, quality assurance, and data analysis and interpretation.
3. Vial Health Technology
Vial is a next-generation, tech-enabled contract research organization (CRO) that provides end-to-end clinical trial services. Founded in San Francisco, California, in 2020, Vial’s mission focuses on delivering faster, more efficient trials that lower costs for sponsors while maintaining high-quality trial data. By harnessing an intuitive technology platform that integrates onboarding, enrollment, communication, and data collection by connecting EDC, eSource, and ePro, Vial Cardiology CRO reduces human error, increases efficiency, and reduces the costs of the trial. In addition, Vial has assembled a team of ClinOps experts, project managers, and clinical research associates (CRAs) with expertise in cardiology and several other therapeutic areas, and a panel of industry-leading scientific advisors ready to assist with cardiology clinical trials across indications.
4. Biofortis Research
Biofortis, a subsidiary of Mérieux Nutrisciences, is a global CRO with a presence in Europe, the USA, and China. Biofortis provides comprehensive CRO services for Phase I–IV cardiology clinical trials within the pharmaceutical, nutrition, and dietary supplement industries. Services include assistance with clinical trial design, trial conduct and management, statistical consulting, and scientific writing.
5. Clinitude
Clinitude is a globally focused CRO with over 16 years of experience in international clinical trials. Established in 2006 in Belgium, Clinitude has additional locations in Singapore, the Philippines, and the USA. Within cardiology, the CRO has particular experience in interventional cardiology and peripheral diseases. Clinitude provides site management and monitoring, management of regulatory submissions, project management, site and PI selection, and resource planning. In addition, Clinitude is one of the first CROs to offer CRA liaison services as a cost-saving measure in assisting with the site monitoring process.
Have Your Clinical Trial Sites Activated within 30 Days
For fast site activation and overall lower trial costs, Vial has a good track record. Vial is the CRO built for sponsors, powered through technology to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Through digital technology, streamlined processes, a team of experts, and a flat-fee pricing structure, Vial has been able to onboard 90% of sites within 30 days. To learn more, connect with a team member today.
