Careful phase-I trial planning 'saves time and delays'

The latest report from business intelligence firm Cutting Edge Information highlights the importance of planning carefully ahead of the initiation of phase-I trials.

Trial designers can greatly reduce the likelihood of unnecessary delays during phase-I clinical testing by planning ahead, a study has shown.

In its latest report, Cutting Edge Information reveals that the average trial is delayed by 5.3 months.

A typical trial was found to be 20.6 months in duration, despite being planned to take just 15.3 months.
The most susceptible to delays are oncology trials, according to the research, with the average trial of this type planned to take 23.8 months but actually taking over a year longer (36.1 months).

Patient recruitment challenges are often the main cause of these delays, along with problems with the management of multiple clinical trials sites, according to the business intelligence firm.

However, the report suggests that by spending a larger proportion of phase-I trials in the planning stage, biopharmaceutical companies can avoid lengthy delays.

Ryan McGuire, lead research analyst at Cutting Edge Information, also noted: "When delays do occur, companies can implement amendments to the trial design that can broaden the criteria for enrolment and ease the recruitment process.