Novotech bringing early phase trials to Bangkok hospital
Novotech, a Sydney-based contract research organization (CRO), has signed ten strategic collaborations with hospitals and research centers across Asia.
As per the new collaboration, the CRO will work with the hospital to bring early phase studies to the hospital’s research center. In turn, the hospital will provide feasibility assessments and identify potential patients for studies.
John Moller, CEO of Novotech told us, “We increasingly see biotech companies taking advantage of the Australian market to run their first-in-human studies and then look to including sites in Asia to accelerate the next phases of their programs.
“While there are many benefits in running clinical trials in Asia, sponsors can often face fragmented markets and heterogeneous regulatory pathways, standards of care and cultures.”
He further explained that the increasing use of Asia and Asia-Pacific as a place for clinical trials reinforces the need to partner with regional specialists with an understanding of market nuances.” The outcome of clinical trials strongly relies on how the study is managed operationally by the CRO and which investigators are involved in the trial,” said Moller.
According to Moller, companies within the Asia-Pacific region have invested in building formal partnerships with major hospitals, medical specialists, and site management services to facilitate rapid start-up activities and patient recruitment, all in an aim to meet sponsors requests.
Moller further stated that with biotechs investing in more complex and global programs, the number of outsourced projects is expected to keep growing with more locations outside of the US, including Eastern Europe and the Asia Pacific.
