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Technology has undeniably contributed to growing chaos at research sites. Seventy percent of sites report using more than six systems per trial,¹ and for the first time, managing these systems is their top challenge.² The impact is significant: 52% of sites are struggling to take on new studies, and sponsors are seeing a 45% increase in timelines from protocol approval to first-patient-first-visit.³ ⁴
Where do we go from here?
As technology becomes more embedded in clinical research, transformation is essential—and possible. Success hinges on technology that meets the 3 C’s:
Consistent
“Uncontrolled variation is the enemy of quality.”⁵
Tech providers must standardize site experiences across sponsors and trials. When sites face multiple ways to perform the same task, quality drops and workloads increase.
By embracing consistency, technology can create a seamless, standardized ecosystem—much like an Amazon-style experience for sites when performing repetitive tasks across sponsors and studies.
Connected
The top reason sites resist new technology isn’t tech aversion—it’s lack of integration.⁶ While system integration isn’t new, large-scale site-sponsor connections are only now becoming reality, with major pharma reporting a 36% decrease in activation timelines with these connections in place.⁷
However, not all integration strategies are equal. Given limited resources at sites, requiring them to invest time and money in integration is unrealistic.⁸ Vendors must deliver out-of-the-box connectivity, made possible by consistent system standards—proving that connection depends on the first principle of consistency.
Comprehensive
“Platforms” appear in marketing everywhere, but their scope and impact vary widely. While essential to digital transformation, a platform’s value depends on its breadth.
Sites, the backbone of clinical trials, are caught in the crossfires of an information exchange nightmare. A true platform must support all key site data areas—from feasibility, training, study startup, regulatory, participant consent and randomization, supply tracking, patient reported data, devices, quality and monitoring activities, and beyond. It must also aggregate study-specific data into the site’s core systems (e.g., eISF, CTMS) to give a unified view of trial operations.
A big picture focus on how data flows between sponsors and sites—AND what sites need internally—is the key to meaningful transformation.
Veeva’s Commitment to the 3 C’s
These three principles shape Veeva’s technology today and guide our future development.
To learn more, visit booth #311 at ACRP 2025 (April 24–26) and see the vision in action.
Join the largest movement for collaboration among sites, sponsors, and contract research organizations at Veeva’s R&D and Quality Summit in Boston, September 2–4. Admission is complimentary for all site professionals.
References
Author: Bree Burks, VP of Strategy, Site Solutions, Veeva Systems
