SCRS partners with PRA Health Sciences, unveils scholarships with INC Research

01-Apr-2015 - Last updated on 02-Apr-2015 at 14:16 GMT

Related tags Medicine Clinical trial

The Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS), which represents the interests of clinical research sites, has announced a two-year partnership with North Carolina-based CRO PRA Health Sciences, while the group’s work with INC Research has resulted in the awarding of more than 100 site scholarships.

PRA will participate as a Global Impact Partner (GIP) to participate on the SCRS Global Impact Board at an executive level, and work closely with SCRS’ Leadership Council in the development and execution of strategic initiatives.

“PRA’s commitment to become a GIP is indicative of their eagerness to initiate and maintain positive site relationships,” said Christine Pierre, SCRS President.

Michael Brooks, PRA SVP and Head, Product Registration Americas, said: “PRA looks forward to maintaining a close engagement with the clinical research site community and, in partnership with SCRS, developing innovations and best practices to accelerate the development of new therapies for patients around the world.”

INC Partnership

Meanwhile, the relationship between INC Research and SCRS has resulted in 100 site scholarships funded by INC Research and developed by SCRS to retain and sustain sites participating in clinical research and to build a critical mass of worldwide sites. The scholarship program is meant to make new sites sustainable through education and training.

SCRS member benefits include training, education and mentorship tools and opportunities that position sites for excellence in the conduct of clinical trials, work that INC Research is supporting through its Circle of Sustainability Sponsorship. INC is the first and only CRO to sponsor SCRS scholarships to provide sites across the globe the benefit of training and mentorship through SCRS membership.

Clare Grace, Vice President Site and Patient Access at INC Research, told Outsourcing-Pharma.com that the education includes webinars on best practices, back end processes and audit readiness.

In addition to gaining the ability to participate in discussions and decisions that impact clinical research sites and the industry at large, sites awarded membership through the SCRS Site Scholarship Program are provided a pathway to sustainability through training and tools in six essential areas: business foundation, opportunity tied to first learning about a study, pre-study, patient enrollment, follow up and close out.

“As an advocate for sites, INC Research understands the importance of their contributions in delivering successful clinical research, and we are pleased to hit this first milestone with the Site Scholarship Program,” said Jamie Macdonald, CEO of INC. “Through the Scholarship Program, we’re able to provide an avenue for sites to stay current on industry standards, while helping them become more efficient in their operations and empowering them to grow and sustain this part of their business.

Selection criteria for the scholarship awards include being in good standing with federal and state regulatory agencies and being in business for a minimum of three years. Scholarship Program sponsors are also able to request inclusion of sites that are representative of a variety of settings, including academic sites, particular therapeutic areas of expertise, certain regions of the world, emerging countries, emerging sites and/or minority populations.