The Clinical research industry is constantly evolving, and as a result, the need for a world-class clinical organization to optimize operational excellence has become more paramount than ever. Vial is a tech-forward San Francisco-based contract research organization (CRO) dedicated to improving clinical trial management solutions and patient outcomes globally.

In the first episode of Vial CRO’s ‘First in Human (FIH): The Panel Series,’ titled “Building a World-Class Clinical Organization to Optimize Operational Excellence,” influential leaders in the clinical research industry discussed the importance of organizational structure, communication, and collaboration in achieving operational excellence in clinical trials. The insights shared by the panelists are invaluable in understanding the complexities of clinical trial delivery and how to overcome them.

In this article, we take a look at the five key takeaways from Episode 1 of Vial CRO’s ‘FIH: The Panel Series’ that can help clinical operations (ClinOps) professionals ensure the success of clinical trials and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Meet the Hosts and Panelists

In this first live panel, Bruce Gagnon, Senior Vice President of Global Clinical Operations at Opthea, and Rich McCormick, Executive Vice President of Clinical Strategy and Vice President of Oncology at Vial, sit down with three influential ClinOps executives from across the biotech and pharma industry. Learn more about our distinguished panelists here.

• Natalie Masterton, Vice President of Clinical Development Operations at Chinook Therapeutics
• Kristi Clark, Vice President of Clinical Operations at Avidity Biosciences, Inc.
• Suliat Oyelami-Davies, Director of Clinical Operations at Eidos Therapeutics

Continue reading to discover the top five insights from Episode 1 of Vial’s ‘FIH: The Panel Series’!

Insight 1: Considering a Holistic Approach for Operational Excellence

The first key insight from the panelists was that operational excellence encompasses more than just technical skills. Kristi Clark, VP of Clinical Operations at Avidity Biosciences, emphasized that ClinOps professionals should not just focus on hiring individuals with the technical skills required to execute clinical trials but should also prioritize training, culture, and diversity of thought. She stressed the importance of teams working in a matrix and communicating effectively to avoid working in silos. This insight highlights the importance of a holistic approach to managing operations in clinical trials, where technical skills are only one of multiple facets of achieving excellence.

Insight 2: Collaboration is Key

Collaboration was identified as another crucial element in achieving operational excellence in clinical trials. Suliat Oyelami, Director of Clinical Operations at Eidos Therapeutics, emphasized the need for collaboration with both internal and external parties to drive continuous improvement within an organization. She highlighted the importance of partnerships and tracking lessons learned to implement better practices in the future. This insight emphasizes the need for ClinOps professionals to work in tandem with other stakeholders, both within their own organization and with vendors, in the clinical research industry to achieve operational excellence.

Insight 3: Flexibility and Adaptability Are Essential

The third key insight from the panelists was the importance of flexibility and adaptability. Natalie Masterton, VP of Clinical Development Operations at Chinook Therapeutics, stressed the need to build a team with a flexible mindset and the ability to creatively solve problems. She emphasized the importance of holding onto strong compliance standards while also being able to adapt to real-world trial conduct. This insight highlights the importance of responding to any changes quickly and thoughtfully while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards.

Insight 4: Planning is the Key to Success

The panelists also emphasized the importance of proactive planning in achieving operational excellence, particularly when anticipating organizational growth and headcount needs. This includes planning at the study level and staying ahead of the needs of the company’s team, clinical research sites, and the study’s patients to ensure smooth operations. This insight underscores the importance of being able to anticipate challenges and plan ahead to ensure successful clinical trials.

Insight 5: Transparency and Leadership Are Crucial

Finally, the panelists emphasized the importance of CROs setting clients up for success through strong leadership in tandem with transparent communication. Rich McCormick, Executive VP of Clinical Strategy and Oncology TA Lead at Vial, emphasized the importance of fully vetting opportunities and being honest about what can be delivered. He stressed the importance of having robust processes, strong quality standards, and good data and technology to ensure successful project delivery. This insight emphasizes the crucial need for CROs to be transparent with their clients and setting them up for success.

In conclusion, the panelists in Vial’s “Building a World-Class Clinical Organization to Optimize Operational Excellence” highlighted the importance of collaboration, flexibility, adaptability, proactive planning, and setting clients up for success in achieving operational excellence in clinical trials. By implementing these insights, ClinOps professionals can help ensure the success of clinical trials and ultimately improve patient outcomes. These insights offer valuable guidance to clinical trial companies and CROs seeking to optimize their operations and deliver the best possible outcomes for patients in need.

Stay Tuned for More from Vial CRO’s ‘First in Human: The Panel Series’

Vial CRO’s ‘FIH: The Panel Series’ is a live online panel discussion bringing together influential leaders in the clinical research industry. For this 60-minute panel, we feature a handpicked selection of ClinOps executives where panelists will engage in insightful discussions tailored to their specific area of expertise.

Access the recording of Episode 1 here to watch on demand and stay tuned for the release of Episode 2 on Wednesday, 10/25 at 8:00 am (PST)!