Finding required numbers of patients is one of the greatest challenges for clinical trials today. According to a recent report, Phase III trials run an average of 30% longer than the pharmaceutical trial team’s original plan, or six months beyond expectation, with the most common hurdle being delays in patient recruitment. Furthermore, pharmaceutical companies spend 30% of the clinical trial timeline recruiting study participants (Source: Cutting Edge Information, October 2004).

Fortunately, Kendle’s global reach, clinical capability and strategic approach means we can create targeted programs based upon country-specific cultural and regulatory requirements to recruit and retain patients who meet your study inclusion criteria.

Click here for recent examples of how we’ve created targeted, country-specific programs to recruit and retain patients.

Our patient access services include expertise in identifying and conducting trials in countries that possess large, untapped patient populations due to the structure of healthcare and referral systems and economics. Including these countries can boost enrollment in global studies. After identifying an appropriate site, we conduct a feasibility assessment for study delivery, which covers medical fit of protocol, available patient population, ethics and logistics. The feedback from this assessment, together with previous performance metrics, allows us to develop a study-specific strategy, including site and country-specific recruitment approaches and levels of motivation required.

We recognize that although optimal site and country identification clearly impact upon enrollment, many trials benefit from the increased exposure that is created through direct-to-consumer outreach methods such as radio, print and television advertising, direct mail and internet listings.

The Kendle patient recruitment team therefore develops outreach methods and materials to assist sites with the identification and notification of qualified patients. Although limited direct-to-patient outreach is allowed in some countries, others – like the US – rely more heavily upon advertising to attract potential patients due to less extensive referral systems, increased treatment options and competing trials. From posters to television advertising campaigns, our team can supply investigative sites with tools that increase trial visibility as deemed appropriate by local regulatory authorities.

Our relationship with qualified investigators and ability to select the right site for a study is our key to recruiting patients. Feasibility ensures that we select sites with access to the required patient populations. We also have an investigator database that ensures we choose the most appropriate and best sites for your trial.

Once we’ve identified all study regions, we develop a solid plan to find, elicit response and track the right patients. A wide variety of solutions are available matching the right marketing tools with the most effective recruitment message. The objective is to gain high, targeted patient awareness during the recruitment period at the study site and maintain patient motivation throughout the duration of the study to maximize retention.

Kendle patient recruitment marketing services

• Strategic, customized media planning and placement
• Research-based selling message – multimedia advertising campaigns, printed brochures, collateral materials, in-house and partnership call center capabilities
• Translation of materials as applicable and accepted by country standards
• “In-reach” programs to increase site personnel awareness of in-patient trials
• Expert advertising consultation for site managers
• Coordination of global and local IRB/EC approvals