To develop a successful gene therapy, sponsors must conduct research studies that balance the need for safety oversight and robust clinical evidence with the challenges of finding the right patients, pairing them with qualified sites, providing informed consent, and confirming they are capable of — and committed to — fulfilling all protocol requirements. In...
The In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR) has fundamentally changed how in vitro diagnostics (IVD) are regulated in the EU. As a result, scrutiny for review and documentation has increased substantially, including a dramatic increase in required reviews by notified bodies (NB). For IVD companies, the challenge of adapting to a significant set of regulatory updates...
The EU has been working to strengthen its regulations for better patient protection and more effective implementation of the rules for in vitro diagnostic medical devices. As a result, in May 2017, a five-year in vitro diagnostic regulation (IVDR) transition plan went into effect. While some of the dates have been extended1 to allow for...
The promise of gene therapy is to provide transformative treatments that meaningfully improve quality of life for patients, many of whom are currently living with debilitating diseases. To bring these treatments to market, sponsors are tasked with conducting clinical trials that generate robust evidence with appropriate safety oversight. In addition, gene therapy trials are faced...
Gynecologic cancers continue to be a significant cause of female morbidities and mortality worldwide. Significant unmet needs exist in diagnosis and treatment. These cancers are often detected at later stages when therapeutic options are limited, and advanced or recurrent disease leads to a poor prognosis. Earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments will enhance the quality...
Substantial unmet needs exist in the diagnosis and treatment of gynecologic cancers. Often, these tumors are detected in later stages when treatment options are limited, and prognosis is poor. However, the gynecologic cancer space is on the cusp of change. The recent introduction of novel medicines, namely targeted therapies, has improved patient care and outcome....
Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers overall and the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men. The 2018 global estimate of new PC cases exceeded 1.2 million, and more than 350,000 men died from the disease worldwide.1 Over the last decade the emergence of new treatments, combined with better use of...
Background Prostate cancer (PC) is among the most commonly diagnosed cancers overall, and the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men. The 2018 global estimate of new PC cases exceeded 1.2 million with more than 350,000 deaths worldwide. Over the last decade, new treatments combined with better use of existing therapies in early-stage disease have transformed...
Molecular diagnostics can provide a more precise and scientifically sound basis for the practice of medicine. However, barriers to their adoption may increase the risk for developers and delay the practice of precision medicine. With the recent evolution of regulations governing investigational diagnostics, it has become vitally important for diagnostics developers to understand how to...
Patient engagement is critical to the success of oncology clinical trials, many of which have endpoints that require study participants to be followed for many years to evaluate side effects and long-term survival data. And yet, sponsors often postpone careful consideration of strategies for patient engagement and retention until after the treatment phase of their...